Staged

Dear Madeline,

What a difference a day makes. Compared to Sunday, you were so much happier yesterday after the doctors determined that your port needle was out of place. Ordinarily, it shouldn't cause you much if any discomfort, if out of place... ouch!!!  Your smile was on full display and your personality was making a nice come back as well. You had some visitors today who were also quite pleased to see that: Grandma Zukiewicz and Josie, Grandma Smith, Aunt Kelly and Aunt Beth.

The surgical team returned later in the morning and noted how well you were doing. We were told not to fret the fact that you weren't eating in light of how complex your surgery was. You were also ordered off of the continuous pain medication drip and that we use the bowlus to deliver pain relief as needed instead. Good news! With a little medicinal help, you also left us a nice, um, deposit and there was much rejoicing (probably one of the few times in your lifetime you'll hear that). This gave the oncology team the news they were waiting on so they could get the treatment plan solidified.

Speaking of that... the lab results on the cancer margins came back today. After painstaking examination under the microscope, the pathologist found that the tumor extended right up to the cut line.  So, in short, this means that they are going to give you some radiation to destroy any remaining cancerous cells before they start the chemotherapy.  This is not the news we were hoping for; it means the treatment course will be a little longer than we wished, but also that they are not going to undertreat you and leave you vulnerable to relapse.  The expected outcome is expected to be the same - complete cure for you - even if it takes a little longer to get there. 

Mom also received materials on blood counts, infections, etc., during chemotherapy. All of this brings the reality of your cancer home that much harder. We'll hear more about the treatment plan on Tuesday, but we know now that this will by no means be an easy fight and there are a number of things we'll need to be very concerned about and on guard against in the weeks and months ahead. But look at where you are now. A week ago, you had major surgery, a truly complicated operation, and now you sit up and move around with marginal discomfort from your incision area. What a champ you are, and how your strength has both inspired me and moved me to tears! That's why I know this cancer has no chance when matched up against you. 

With all my love,
   Daddy