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RockinGrannyVol
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« on: February 11, 2013, 02:29:39 EST » |
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All...I called and talked to Ray today...Debbie is still very sick, she apparently had infection in her system so they have had her on antibiotics for a week. Once the infection is cleared up, they will do a skin graft to close her incision area and send her home for a month or two to regain some strength before sending her to Vandy for the surgery to rebuild her esophagus.
Not sure Iris posted her story on here...for those that don't know, this is what Ray told me today. Debbie's stomach had moved up into her chest area (possibly caused by a hiatal hernia) causing her to have difficulty breathing...they did surgery to move the stomach back down, but in that process the blood flow was cut off from the esophagus and they didn't know it for 3 days. By that time, the esophagus and top portion of her stomach were dead and now have to be rebuilt via a major reconstructive surgery at Vanderbilt. She cannot eat or drink and is getting all nutrition through feeding tubes. She is a very ill lady and needs all of our prayers.
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tnflower
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« Reply #1 on: February 11, 2013, 02:59:29 EST » |
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repost from fb
Our friend, DEBBIE COOK..........
Her husband called last night (bless his heart, he is at the hospital every day) The Doctors thought she might be ready to have the skin graph to cover the opening in her abdomen, then after a three week recovery at the hospital, she could go home to get stronger for the major surgery to come. Well, she developed pockets of infection in different areas. They started her on three different very strong antibiodics, then did a needle aspiration of the infection. After a culture, they found the infection was still there. So, they will continue the meds and hope it knocks it out evenutally. They did three CAT scans to locate the infection and because she couldn't swallow the dye, they injected it straight to her stomach. It caused lots of nausea, but bc she has no connection from her stomach to her mouth, there was no place for it to go. He said her face would just turn bright red and she would moan that she was so sick. Everything has been put on hold till they can get this infection under control. Please remember our Barbivol in your prayers, she is one sick little chick. I told Ray to let her know that she has a lot of friends who love her and will be praying for her.
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RockinGrannyVol
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« Reply #2 on: February 11, 2013, 03:07:38 EST » |
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Thanks Iris......between the two of us, maybe we can get this all straight...Poor Ray is so tired and going through so much. She is a very sick lady and needs our prayers. She has a very long road to get well!!
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VOLveeta
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« Reply #3 on: February 11, 2013, 03:13:53 EST » |
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OMG... I dumped facebook so I'm really out of the loop. THANK YOU FOR THIS INFO. Prayers coming from Flat Rock NC for sure!
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PirateVOL
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« Reply #4 on: February 11, 2013, 04:04:59 EST » |
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Thanks Becky/Iris, Debbie's got them for sure
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  All men dream: but not equally. Those who Dream by night in the dusty recesses of their minds Wake in the day to find that it was vanity; but the Dreamers of the day are dangerous men, for they May act their dream with open eyes, to make it Possible. This I did. —T. E. Lawrence, The Seven Pillars of Wisdom _________________________________________________________________________________________________ "If you find yourself in a fair fight, you didn't plan your mission properly." - David Hackworth "Be polite, be professional, but have a plan to kill everybody you meet" General James "Mad Dog" Mattis |
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Inspector Vol
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« Reply #5 on: February 11, 2013, 04:36:21 EST » |
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Prayers going out.
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chemosabe
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« Reply #6 on: February 11, 2013, 04:42:52 EST » |
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I have not been here in a while and saw this..
a year and a half ago I diagnosed myself with esophageal cancer..to make a long story short..I underwent a similar procedure in May of last year in which the lower 2/3 of my esophagus and upper 1/3 of my stomach were removed and a "new" one was reconstructed from the remaining organs. It is a large surgery but, with time, I got through it and am now not only back to work, but back running 5K races (running, not winning!) and such.
If BarbiVol needs anyone to talk with, message me (I am on the Mudduck more often than here) and I will give my contact info.
I will add her to my daily prayers.
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midtnvol
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« Reply #7 on: February 11, 2013, 05:26:06 EST » |
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Was not aware of this. Will be keeping her in our thoughts and sending al our best vibes her way. C'mon Barbie, shake this off and get well.
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Quasi EVol
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« Reply #8 on: February 11, 2013, 05:56:06 EST » |
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That's horrible. She has been so sick for so long and still can't catch a break. I can't think of a better local facility for Barbi than Vandy.   |
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GreggO
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« Reply #9 on: February 11, 2013, 06:33:09 EST » |
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Oh now heck; this is horrible to hear. Some old-timers here will remember I had a bad diagnosis 'bout 11 years ago. I could feel the prayers. I will repay her gift to me.  G |
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Stogie Vol
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« Reply #10 on: February 11, 2013, 01:12:00 EST » |
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Praying.
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Screaming Eagle Dad
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« Reply #11 on: February 11, 2013, 03:03:19 EST » |
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Oh man...that's tough! Thoughts and prayers for all involved.
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tnflower
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« Reply #12 on: February 11, 2013, 03:33:12 EST » |
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a year and a half ago I diagnosed myself with esophageal cancer..to make a long story short..I underwent a similar procedure in May of last year in which the lower 2/3 of my esophagus and upper 1/3 of my stomach were removed and a "new" one was reconstructed from the remaining organs. It is a large surgery but, with time, I got through it and am now not only back to work, but back running 5K races (running, not winning!) and such.
Some of her Doctors wanted to do the surgery there in Ktown, bc they have done cancer cases where a new esophagus was implanted. Her Surgeon said "No if's, and's or but's, she will have this done in Vandy. He says it's much more involved than that and Vandy has all the state of the art instruments." He told Ray that she will need a team of surgeons operating and will take hours. Once the Surgeon explained what was going to be needed, her Doctors there said that the Surgeon was right, there was no way they could do all this in Ktown. I know between Becky and I, one of us will let her husband know that you are available for any questions he, or she might have. Thank you for offering. It all sounds so scary and she is so weak right now. Let's all pray that they can get rid of that infection! |
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RockinGrannyVol
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« Reply #13 on: February 11, 2013, 03:43:06 EST » |
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I have not been here in a while and saw this..
a year and a half ago I diagnosed myself with esophageal cancer..to make a long story short..I underwent a similar procedure in May of last year in which the lower 2/3 of my esophagus and upper 1/3 of my stomach were removed and a "new" one was reconstructed from the remaining organs. It is a large surgery but, with time, I got through it and am now not only back to work, but back running 5K races (running, not winning!) and such.
If BarbiVol needs anyone to talk with, message me (I am on the Mudduck more often than here) and I will give my contact info.
I will add her to my daily prayers.
Thanks and definitely Iris or I will make sure Deb and Ray know of your wonderful offer. I lost a dear friend to this cancer several years ago. ...it was too late by the time they found it. ... so happy you were diagnosed early! Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2 |
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chemosabe
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« Reply #14 on: February 11, 2013, 04:03:43 EST » |
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Her surgeon is correct. It is avery involved surgery, highly technically difficult. Not only do you want a center with all the equipment, you want a surgeon who does many of these operations every year.
I learned through experience how to deal with most of the post operative complications and could probably give them some good advice..and hopefully encouragement. If you guys have forgotten, I am a physician (medical oncologist) as well...
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SmokeyJoe
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« Reply #15 on: February 11, 2013, 04:04:48 EST » |
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I have not been here in a while and saw this..
a year and a half ago I diagnosed myself with esophageal cancer..to make a long story short..I underwent a similar procedure in May of last year in which the lower 2/3 of my esophagus and upper 1/3 of my stomach were removed and a "new" one was reconstructed from the remaining organs. It is a large surgery but, with time, I got through it and am now not only back to work, but back running 5K races (running, not winning!) and such.
If BarbiVol needs anyone to talk with, message me (I am on the Mudduck more often than here) and I will give my contact info.
I will add her to my daily prayers.
Great news! Hope the same for Barbi! |
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tnflower
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« Reply #16 on: February 11, 2013, 09:36:57 EST » |
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If you guys have forgotten, I am a physician (medical oncologist) as well...
I never knew this. Who in the world would be better equipped to give her advice or encouragement than you???? Thank you so much for offering the time to help them with what to expect down the road. All I know for sure is that Becky and I are both so worried about her. It doesn't sound good, maybe it's because we're just lay people, but I can't see how a body can go through so much and then have to fight off infections right now. |
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VinnieVOL
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« Reply #17 on: February 12, 2013, 11:47:30 EST » |
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Prayers sent.
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Volznut
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« Reply #18 on: February 12, 2013, 01:50:27 EST » |
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We've got her in our thoughts. Keep updating us Iris
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BanditVol
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« Reply #19 on: February 12, 2013, 07:58:43 EST » |
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She is in my prayers. Hope she can have (successful) surgery soon.
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"The speed of our movements is amazing, even to me, and must be a constant source of surprise to the Germans.” G. Patton
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EmerilVOL
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« Reply #20 on: February 13, 2013, 12:38:37 EST » |
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All...I called and talked to Ray today...Debbie is still very sick, she apparently had infection in her system so they have had her on antibiotics for a week. Once the infection is cleared up, they will do a skin graft to close her incision area and send her home for a month or two to regain some strength before sending her to Vandy for the surgery to rebuild her esophagus.
Not sure Iris posted her story on here...for those that don't know, this is what Ray told me today. Debbie's stomach had moved up into her chest area (possibly caused by a hiatal hernia) causing her to have difficulty breathing...they did surgery to move the stomach back down, but in that process the blood flow was cut off from the esophagus and they didn't know it for 3 days. By that time, the esophagus and top portion of her stomach were dead and now have to be rebuilt via a major reconstructive surgery at Vanderbilt. She cannot eat or drink and is getting all nutrition through feeding tubes. She is a very ill lady and needs all of our prayers.
Get well Barbi.... I will talk with Ray also when I can and see if I can help him at all. |
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I made this post and I approved it. EmerilVOL  |
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