Giving A Kidney? What a Position to be in...

I hope so, too... but I honestly have no idea...

I also assume that, unless they are certain, no kidney replacement will be on the table unless they are sure the cancer just won't come back.

Kinda in the dark here... 8,000 miles away and all.

Mike

 

Gregg,

I think you're right. I've (luckily) received some PMs from doctors on the site that are all in agreement that donating a kidney to anyone, brother or not, who has a form of cancer that may or may not be eradicated and attacks the kidneys, is not a productive idea.

Mike

 

Latest email from Mom:

****

Not just 'good' news from Scott's doctor, today.....'Great' news!

The doctor came in after I arrived at the hospital today. The test results had come in - and no malignancy this time! As I talked with him, he (more or less) apologized for the size of the incision - saying that he had to make such a large cut because the mass was about the size of Scott's head...showing me with his hands just how large it was.

And, by the way, The incision does not extend clear over to the left side of his stomach like I thought it did, yesterday. Only goes about 3 inches or so left of his navel. It's probably around 14+ inches in length.

He's still having a problem with the pain. They took him off of the epidural this afternoon - it just wasn't taking care of it. They put him on a morphine pump. Before I left- around 5 p.m., they had given him a Valium as well. They had got him up to walk a little - and he just about passed out on them. The nurse had to call (yell) for help in the hall. I was not surprised. In fact, I told the nurse as they were leaving the room that I felt they should have him on a walker. The nurse told me that 'he has me'. She was on one side of him...Penny was on the other side. I told them that I wouldn't trust either one - or both, for that matter, if he started down.

As usual.....mother knows best. But, being my nice self....I didn't say a word.

Another piece of good news for him....he was still on ice chips only as of 2 p.m. today. Not even a popsicle was allowed. But, they let him have a little jello and a soft drink this afternoon. That really upped his attitude. He hadn't eaten anything since Tuesday. (Not that he would shrink away to nothing.... he is a big guy.)

Again - thank you for your concern, thoughts and prayers! I think we are on the road to recovery for sure. The test result news really helped!

****

So... excellent news...!

Mike

 

Well, it seems we have a setback....

Latest email from Mom:

****

Scott had a bad night last night. Still a lot of pain. Doctor ran tests today. He's going back into surgery tomorrow (Wednesday). Don't know what time - I will go over tomorrow morning as soon as I get around. (Which means I'll probably leave around 9 a.m.)

Sounds like they are going to remove his gallbladder. (Why didn't they just do that when they were already in there?)

He is still having trouble with the big open sore on his back where they pulled the skin off - along with the tape around the epidural. Someone should invent a solution that would dissolve the adhesive portion without harming the skin.

Will update you tomorrow.

Thanks for your concerned calls & prayers.

****

So, it ain't over yet...

Mike

 

I'll pass the advice on... thank you.

Mike

 

He is a big guy...lots bigger than me (taller, heavier, just... bigger). Hell, his hands are twice the size of mine.

Whether I do or not isn't the issue... I'm afraid he is going to have continuing problems...and spiral down quickly.

Mike

 

Latest email from mom:

****

Scott got out of surgey around 5:45 p.m. They did remove the gallbladder, along with a large pus pocket in the area where the mass was removed.

When Penny called - she had not seen Scott yet - had just talked to the doctor, who said that Scott was going to be pretty cranky when he wakes up to the tube in his nose - which will probably have to stay until Friday.

She also said that Scott had started getting jaundiced today - I said that was not due to the gallbladder - but to either the kidney or liver. (I can't remember). But, she said that the jaundice was due to the pus pocket. I hope that was the doctor talking...not just her.

So - keep the prayers coming and going....

Thanks.....

****

Mike

 

It's almost one of those situations where I would have to cave in to family pressure to keep the peace, regardless of my decision...

But, I'm not worried about it... I'll just take it as it comes... we'll see.

Mike

 

Latest email from mom... maybe we're out of the woods...

By the way... this is it... the whole email...

Mike

*****


He can eat.

He can walk.

He can poop.

He can go home.

Possibly tomorrow!

****

 

Thanks Steph and Patrick...

Mike