Weekend In Burlington

So I went to see Laurelle on Friday, and she looked MUCH better than she did last Sunday. She had her colour back and her face was looking healthier.

They have put a central line in her chest. What is this, you ask? I had to ask my friend Andrea what it was - here is the explanation:

A central line is a long, hollow tube made from silicone rubber. They are also called skin-tunneled central venous catheters. The central line is inserted (tunneled) under the skin of your chest into a vein. The tip of the tube sits in a large vein just above your heart.

A central line can be used to give you treatments such as chemotherapy, antibiotics and intravenous fluids. It can also be used to take samples of your blood for testing. Central lines can also be used to give liquid food into the vein if your digestive system is not able to cope with food for any reason.

Laurelle didn't like this procedure - she said it was quite painful, although all of the literature says she shouldn't have felt anything. She never complains about pain either, so it was a little bothersome to hear.

She is getting bags of fluid/food to keep her hydrated and fed. She has put on 2 lbs since she was admitted which is good news. She can't shower, so I helped her wash her hair in the shower room. He hair is falling out like crazy due to her not getting any nutrition for a few months. She vomits a few times a day, and I wasn't crazy about overhearing that either, because I never realized how much she was vomiting over the last few months. The tumor is just below the entrance from the bile duct to the duodenum, so it backs up into her stomach - it has nowhere else to go. After it backs up for a few hours, she has to throw up. You know when you throw up bile and it's maybe a few teaspoons? That is gross enough, right? Laurelle throws up about 3 LITRES of bile per day. I honestly can't even imagine.

Her spirits are still good; my mom says she takes after my dad. He never complained. A chip off the old block. She just can't wait for this to be over because all she wants in life is to eat a Big Mac.

The surgery that will be done is called the Whipple Procedure. They will remove the whole duodenum, part of her pancreas, and part of her stomach. They will reattach the small intestine to the stomach. It will take a while for her to recover (7-10 days in the hospital, assuming there are no complications) and about 4-6 weeks at home. My mom will be staying with her at home while she recovers. Once the surgeons get in there and see what exactly is happening, they will be able to prescribe future treatment. Chemo, radiation, etc.

Anyhow, that is the update. I saw her again today and she looks better. She wishes she could have a shower, but you can't get the central line wet because there is a high chance of infection.

Surgery is either Wed or Friday. I can't wait for them to do this. Hurry up already, EFF.

I asked if she misses taking care of the kids and she said no. She said that she enjoys knowing that her husband is dealing with what she deals with all day. See what I mean.....? Feisty.