Saturday, May 5, 2007 8:23 AM, CDT

Hello all,
Well we had a lo-o-o-ng day yesterday. As I said, I have fluid around my heart and Dr. Walsh wanted to get it taken care of. He explained a few more things yesterday morning than he did on the phone on Thursday.
If the fluid around my heart contains cancer, it will be concerning from the standpoint that the chemo I’m on might not be working. If the chemo is not working, then they’ll switch to a different one. Before he switches drugs, Dr. Walsh will do a CT scan to double check how well the chemo is working on my tumors. I currently have a CT scan scheduled for May 21st with one more round of the Folfox scheduled for May 14th. It seems to be a waiting game right now and that’s all we can do.
I spent about 8.5 hours in the hospital yesterday and pretty much it was all for naught. I sat around and waited to speak with a Cardiologist and a Thoracic Surgeon. Neither the surgeons nor the cardiologists felt that anything needs to be done immediately. There are two procedures that could be done and neither of them are done on the weekends unless it’s an emergency. My case apparently isn’t an emergency.
The two procedures to choose from are a needle aspiration of the fluid or something called a pericardial window. When discussing the needle aspiration option, I wanted to be sure that it would be nothing like a certain scene from Pulp Fiction. You know the one: Mia Wallace overdoses and Vincent Vega rushes her over to Lance’s house to get some help reviving her because Vincent doesn’t want to be a “grease spot” in Marsellus Wallace’s eyes. Basically, Lance takes a huge needle (filled with adrenaline maybe?) and plunges it into her heart.
The surgical resident has seen Pulp Fiction and assured me it would be a more exact procedure. J
The more likely situation for me will be the pericardial window. Basically, a surgeon will cut a hole in my pericardial lining to allow all the fluid to drain. The window will also allow for any future fluid to drain. The window procedure will probably be done in the next week or so. Although it’s a minor procedure they will want to keep me over night for observation.
Pam thinks Laureen could help me pick out some curtains for my new window!! J
I was on a floor of the hospital that was basically a cardiac floor so it was heavily populated by elderly patients—sick, elderly patients. In a true George Costanza moment, I told Greg that I bet I could beat all the patients on the floor in a 50 yard dash. I think there’s something wrong with me!!
Pam and Wendy came up to the hospital to visit with me last night which was so nice. I sent Greg home around 6:30 so he could check in at home and then I was by myself. I like my solitude as much as the next person but sitting by yourself in a hospital room is less like solitude and more like torture!!! We had such a great visit though that it made the 8.5 hours of sitting around worth it. Thanks guys, it meant a lot!
Thanks to my Mom who had no solitude yesterday because she was stuck at my house with my kids for twelve hours! Although I wasn't admitted to the hospital until around 2:00, I had my appointment with Dr. Walsh at 10:20.
So I’m back at home and able to participate in this weekend’s activities: baseball, t-ball and a baby shower. I’m feeling really well and figure that the Procrit finally kicked in and has allowed me to produce more red blood cells in order to give me more energy!
Love,
Kim