My New Liver Drain
So, I had the procedure up at Huntsman Cancer last Friday. An interventional radiologist created a drain from my bile duct to my bowel to allow for internal draining, so I do not have a permanent external drain. However, he did install a permanent valve coming out of my gut that could be hooked to a bag for external draining if needs be. I was awake during this procedure which kind of blows. In any event they did a good job and bile in draining. However, when I got home Sunday and early Monday I developed a mean fever and have been in a lot more pain than I expected. Some heavy antibiotics have kept the temp down, but I have been carrying around the external bile bag. I should be able to switch it out in the next day or two.
As I have stated, Huntsman is by far the best hospital I have ever had the pleasure to stay in. Its like a Marriott. I only stayed one night and my brother came by to visit. I perused the room service menu and ordered the sirloin with baked potato and a strawberry milkshake. “Any thing for desert?” of course . . . I will have the key lime pie. By this time my brother could hardly contain the laughter but when I asked to see a wine list he really lost it. Great food and a really great place to be a patient.
So, next stop is Sir Sphere therapy probably in April. I’ll keep you posted.
March 18th, 2010 at 5:29 pm
Good to hear from you. It sounds like you’re doing as well as can be expected under the circumstances. I can’t imagine being awake through something like that - I’m always glad they knock me out for procedures. I hope the pain meds are managing the pain - hang in there.
March 19th, 2010 at 4:51 pm
Was there a good merlot to complement your steak?
Seriously sucks that you were awake during the procedure and that you’re in more pain than expected. I’d importune the deity for you but I know how you feel about such things. So I’ll just say I hope these things get better soon.
March 20th, 2010 at 5:53 am
So, let me picture this. You’re at an executive board meeting, the CEO pisses you off and as you excuse yourself for a bathroom break, stop, get at the table for a cup o’ joe and release your valve into the coffee container. Later that day remarks are made about the wonderful ‘Southwest Flavor’ of the coffee that day.
Robert Schimmel is playing in Tampa this weekend. I’d love to see him but we will be leaving for New York Sunday. Thea is scheduled for Tuesday, we don’t know what time yet, but it’s a go!
Amazing what surgeons can do when they get bored. You need to take a camera in with you, hide an iPhone between your butt cheeks, pull it out and take video of your proceedures for youtube, Instant hit
Give ‘em hell Matt!!!!!
March 23rd, 2010 at 5:41 am
Thea will be on the NBC Today Show @10 or 10:30am today, 3/23 to talk about colon cancer. Awareness can only help…..