Hi All,
Good news today, Jerry was discharged this afternoon. His bilirubin is down to 5 and he is much less yellow. His liver function tests are not normal, probably never will be, but some measurements have moved in the direction of normal. White blood count is very high, 26,550, higher than it was when he was admitted. He has been on IV antibiotics since admission and that has not decreased the white count, so the doctor believes that it is due to the tumor rather than to infection. He didn't order an antibiotic at home. Dave has a positive take on the WBC. He says it is possible that the tumor is necrotic, has dead tissue in it, and that a tumor with some dead areas is better than one that is all alive and thriving. He is still to have the Lovenox shots to reduce blood clotting. I will give those to him twice a day and will work on teaching him how to give them to himself.
I saw the preliminary pathology report on the biopsy today. Apparently it had been in the chart for a couple days; I don't know why we weren't told about it. The final report is pending a special stain for mucin and intradepartmental consultation. I don't know what the mucin stain is, or how long it takes and Dave didn't either off the top of his head. Pathology's current determination is that this biopsy from the common bile duct shows: "Poorly differentiated malignant neoplasm with bizarre tumor giant cells." and "A diagnosis of poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma is favored." Not good news.
Louise was at the hospital for a while in the morning and then left to meet Nickie. Nickie had been in Chicago with Cory and a friend drove her to Louise's. Before they got back Jerry was discharged so they went to our house. The two of them really cooked up a storm! They made big pots of 2 different kinds of chicken soup and a batch of chocolate pudding. Jerry was rather tired by the transfer from home to hospital, but is happy to be home.
Kathy Reed: Please look at your brother Jim's e-mail address and tell me if it is wrong. I didn't realize he had e-mail 'till Aunt Mary called tonight, so I added him to my list. psk011@mail.connect.more.net Dave, this is my cousin, Jim Morrison, please add him to your list. Thanks, both of you.
Love, Colleen/Mom