Kevin vs Cancer

 It is 5 weeks post surgery!!! and things are going pretty much as expected...by medical standards...not Kevin's.  He is learning patience. This past week he developed the upper respiratory crud we all had...and had a fever. The "rule" is if he develops a fever 100.4 or greater to take an antibiotic he was given and go to the ED. There is a risk of OPSI....as i have mentioned before. This is a rare infection, but can be fatal with in 24-48 hours. Which sounds scary.  He took fever reducing meds and temp was normal in 30 minutes. Consulted with doctors and if fever went back up or symptoms got worse....we were to go in. We were pretty sure he just caught what the rest of us had and wasn't exposed to any of the "dangerous" bacteria that can lead to OPSI. As well as none of the other symptoms. He didnt get worse and t he is getting better! As a result he is taking the antibiotics that were recommended, by Infectious Disease, post surgery. Since I last updated.....

  Rachel made us shirts with his Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumor ribbon. It is zebra stripes because it is in the "rare disease" category.❤️ I said I would update today! It is still today! We had to be in Burlington at 8am. We were a few minutes late...but we were leaving the hospital by 9! His oncologist said the pathology report was excellent. No findings of cancer in other areas.(they checked 32 lymph nodes!)  The tumor was early stage and well contained.  They originally said 3 months for PET scan, but now it is 6 months. He will then continue to be monitored and have MRCP scans for a while. That is a special MRI dedicated to looking at pancrease, bile ducts, and gall bladder (to put it in the simplest terms, I have more reading to do). He will continue to be followed by a doctor from the pancreatic clinic. The lack of appetite, tired, etc. can be all part of post "big surgery," as the doctor said. "Outside looks little, but inside is BIG!" (Said in yo...

 I haven't updated in a few days, as things have pretty much been the same. Appetite is still coming slowly, restlessness, and not getting comfortable enough to sleep well...however the body temperature regulation is improving. Changing sheets less. His walking distance is gaining.  His stamina slowly gaining.  Wednesday was probably the best day so far with Thursday and today (Friday) being less so. But again...all to be expected after major surgey. Just because they could do it as laproscopic surgery shouldn't fool us into thinking otherwise.😘 which by the way all incision spots healing beautifully! I will update again next Friday, following his oncology appointment, so as not to bore you with the everyday.😘 We appreciate every prayer🙏🏼❤️ Pray for continued improvement and that the appointment next Friday is what we anticipate...cancer has all been removed. And for wisdom if treatments are a possibility. ❤️❤️ Tracey

  The days are a bit the same that is why I waiting until today to update, since we had a trip to Plattsburg.  We saw an infectious Disease doctor. Because Kevin doesn't have a spleen anymore there are a few things to be careful of. He got 4 immunizations today. Will get 2 boosters in 2 months, another booster in wvery 2 or 3 years. Possibly antibiotics for a year, but we are looking into that. Yesterday while I was headed to an appointment..I had left Kevin tucked in on the couch taking a nap. Before I even got to my destination he called and said he was going for a drive!  Just went to the farm.. Didnt get out or anything...but was whipped when he got back!   Building up his stamina will take a little while! His appetite is improving.  Was craving steak, so 2 nights ago got take out. He ate 1/2 of a 14 oz delmonico. Yesterday I went to Price Chopper and picked up a couple cuts and some salmon dinners. He has eaten steak 3 times so far! Building up his str...

A better day than yesterday! A longer walk outside with a short bit in the woods.  Has eaten more today!   Still moving slow and tires easy, but we knew this was going to be a slow recovery...takes time.   I keep reminding him. Tuesday we go to Plattsburg for his 3 vaccinations. We have to consult with an infectious disease doctor. These will be yearly. Thank you again for all the love and prayers!❤️❤️

  Sorry about yesterday....it was a long day and didn't get a chance to write before I crashed. The ride from Burlington wasn't too bad. We got home and both were on the couch. He slept down in bed, first-time since surgery! Kevin was feeling a bit better Thursday so I went to work doing the shopping job with Rachel. As I called and checked on him he was doing ok. First time he had been outside. Walked to the backyard,  laid (yes, I said "laid" like have to get up off the ground) out in the sun, but it got too hot.   The next time I called he had made himself some chicken stir-fry. (Yes he had easy foods easily available). By the time I got home he was feeling poorly. Went right to bed.  His pain is actually doing ok. He feels weak and drained and very full no matter how small he eats.  His body isn't regulating its temperature very well, one minute cold, next hot. We have read that can be common with spleen removal.  So today, Friday, similar to yeste...