Jerry's Updates
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Read the updates on Jerry. Return to Peoria Update |
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Read the updates on Jerry. Return to Peoria Update |
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Hi All, At the end of this is final biopsy report and web site address. Jerry saw Dr. Liang yesterday. He checked Jerry over pretty carefully, noted the legs still swollen although much less than when he was in the hospital. He was pleased with Dave's suggestion that Jerry lie periodically with his legs higher than heart to drain the fluid out of the legs. He checked his abdomen and said there was quite a bit of liquid there. Jerry asked why and what could be done about it. Dr. said that the fluid is from the cancer causing the liver to release fluid into the abdomen. He said there is not much to do for it. Diuretics (meds that increase urinary output) are not very useful in getting rid of this fluid. Dr. did tests and I was tired last night so decided I'd wait until today and the test results before e-mailing. Late this morning his office called and Jerry's hemoglobin was down to 8.1. We were to go to the hospital so he could be given blood. They would also draw a blood sample for culture before and after the transfusion. The reason for this is his white blood count of 29,600 with 19% bands. Normal white count is 4-12,000 & normal bands 0-10%. Elevation in these is usually an indication of infection. So now it is 9 PM; Jerry's last unit of blood has gone in (he got 2 units).and we are waiting for the blood to be drawn so we can go home. Jerry walked the halls a little while ago and said he felt better, so the blood is probably helping. Dr. ordered an oral antibiotic to start when we go home. Steve went out and got it a while ago. He also last night made a list of all Dad's meds, amounts and when due. That was very handy to have when we checked in today. He also got the meds put in pill boxes for the week divided by day and time. By the time I finished the above we were discharged and at home. Jerry was tired and went to bed almost immediately. He has been up the bathroom a couple times since then and seems OK. We got the final biopsy report last Friday. I meant to include it in my last e-mail, but forgot. It is a confirmation of what the pathologist expected. "Final Diagnosis: Common bile duct, stricture, endoscopic biopsy: Adenocarcinaoma, poorly differentiated (Grade III-IV). Love, Mom/Colleen |