Biopsy Surgery

August 28, 2004

Erin came through the surgery very well. I had hoped to update yesterday, but the day stretched out in ways we couldn't control. The surgery didn't start until 2:30. Things went smoothly, and she was done and in recovery by 4:30. The surgeon didn't really look around much. He didn't want to disturb the tumor in ways that might make a later resection more difficult, so he just took a slice for the pathologist. Recovery went well--two purple popsicles and a box of Gatorade. Our room wasn't ready by the time Erin was, so we stayed in recovery a bit longer than we hoped. By 6:30 we were in the room (1122). The first order of business was finding food for the starving creature (no, Erin not Walter). The cafeteria sent up yogurt and fruit (quite good, but not nearly enough), so Walter went off in search of a hamburger. Erin practically swallowed it whole when he brought it back.

We had a relatively uneventful night. We watched a little tv and read, with lights out about 10:15. Erin successfully navigated the bathroom and walked a couple of laps around the floor (the first time hoping to find the toy room, which was unfortunately closed; the second time in hopes of staving off bedtime). So far, she is just taking Tylenol for pain. Her back is tender and she is moving slowly, but she is moving.

The in-service doctor came by this morning and gave orders to unhook her from her IV. If she continues to drink and go to the bathroom and her pain is managed orally, we will get to go home. That will probably be late this afternoon or early tomorrow. It doesn't look like we will get any results from the biopsy until Tuesday at the earliest, but probably more likely Wednesday. After that the doctor team will make a plan.