Darin was in great spirits yesterday. He welcomed his family as visitors and said his pain was a 3 on a 1-10 scale. I attribute that to great drugs and his young body. He was joking with the nurses and asking for his blackberry phone and power charger (imagine that so don't be surprised if you get an email from him). He will get up and walk around today. Also, the surgeon will be in this morning to see him. Everyone is excited to see him doing so well - what a champ after a major surgery. Thanks again for all of your support, prayers, and concern.

Love, Nicole

Post-surgery

Darin is out of surgery and in recovery now. The surgery was a success. The area responded well to radiation and chemo treatments so when the doctor went in, the infected area was as hard as a rock with no visible tumor.  The doctor was also going to look at the suspicious area on the liver but did not get the chance because it would have added 2-3 hours to his operation and it was tough to get to because of scarring from his motorcycle accident. The liver continues to be a concern. Darin and his doctors will have to make some decisions moving forward after evaluating the facts and outcome of the operation. It could mean another surgery in the coming weeks when they perform his reversal. For now, we will take this step as a success and are ready for the healing to begin for Darin.

I'm anxious to see him and may get the chance around 3:00 p.m. when he is moved to a room (no ICU). Thanks for all of your continued support and prayers. I know your thoughts are with us even if you're not in Houston.

Much love, Nicole 

 

upcoming surgery

I had several tests on Monday the 19th and met with the Dr's yesterday.  They were both very pleased with the results and gave me the green light for surgery on Monday the 26th of March.  The surgery will take appx. 4hrs and I will have many family members here to support me afterwards. 

It is very hard on me to be away from my wife & child, I miss them sooo very much :-(

When I return to K.C. I will be restricted to lifting of 15lbs or less and expect to still be sore from surgery as they will be cutting me from the sternum to just below the belt line.  This is the same type of incision I had from surgery in 1988 after my motorcycle accident that required 36 staples to close.

Nicole will be updating my BLOG in my early days of recovery.

Thanks again for all of your support, prayers, and phone calls.

Unity is Strength, Knowledge is Power and Attitude is Everything

LIVESTRONG,

-darin

upcoming surgery

It's just three weeks before surgery and I'm getting very excited about the fact that I will be having the affected area of my colon removed.  I feel good & bad from time to time as I am still dealing with some GI issues.  I usually don't feel good when I wake up in the AM and also am bothered immediately following most meals.

I will be in Houston on March 18th so I can be at MD on the 19th at 8am for testing.  There is a chance that my Dr.'s could say that I'm not ready for surgery after they review the results from the tests on the 18th.

Many of my family members will be coming to see me at one time or another.  I have been told that I could be in the hospital for 7-10 days, with the first 1-2 days in ICU.

I plan to update the BLOG while in Houston so anyone can check to see how I'm doing.

Thanks again for all of your support, prayers, and phone calls.

Unity is Strength, Knowledge is Power and Attitude is Everything

LIVESTRONG,

-darin

MIA

sorry for going into silent mode and not providing any updates

I am now done with radiation and have about 5 full weeks before surgery at MD Anderson on the 26th of March.  They expect me to be hospitalized for 7-10 days and want to remove the staples from surgery before I get on a plane and return to KC.   I will be in KC for 4-5 weeks and then return to MD so they can reverse the ileostomy.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ileostomy

Over the past few days I have been feeling better as I heal from the radiation and get the chemo drugs out of my system.  Still not 100% but am doing considerably better.  It's been a long road and I am now seeing the light at the end of the tunnel.  It's still a fairly long tunnel but the light is in sight.

Thank you all for your support and concerns.

Unity is Strength, Knowledge is Power and Attitude is Everything

LIVESTRONG

-jupe

radiation

Nicole and I visited the radiologist last week to learn more about my treatment path.  We will continue with chemo for a few more treatments (an unknown amount at this time) and then follow with radiation.  The radiation treatment will be M-F for appx. 5 weeks.  The treatment itself is less than 5 minutes but will require me to drive to their office at I-435 & Holmes everyday.  With the construction at Metcalf is should be an interesting drive each day.

After radiation I will have a 4 week break with no treatments before I have surgery to remove the area of my colon that is/was affected.  I am guessing that this will be late Feb/early Mar but am just guessing.  I should know more tomorrow after my 11th chemo treatment.

Carter just had his 6 month b-day this past Satuday which included new pictures.  Note to self; don't go to the picture studio on a Saturday @ 1:20pm - total chaos!!  Mom and Carter are both doing great and Carter continues to grow & grow.

Cheers,

darin

Unity is Strength, Knowledge is Power and Attitude is Everything

LIVESTRONG

update/status

The chemo is reacting well to my tumor and lymph nodes....reduction in size and am continuing treatments for another 3 months...looks as if surgery may be in the JAN time frame.

I am still waiting for the results from the most recent trip to M.D. Anderson as there is still some debate on whether or not I did/do actually have a spot of cancer in my liver.  I will do my best to keep updates coming in a timely manner.

I also made a recent trip to Austin, TX to participate in the 10th Annual Ride for the Roses weekend.  I was invited because we (Tray Vedock and myslef) raised over $36,000 on behalf of the Lance Armstrong Foundation.  The weekend inlcuded a private bike ride with Lance where I rode beside him for appx 5 minutes.  It was quite the weekend and will be in my memories forever.  I plan on doing another fundraiser for next year and want to exceed the amount raised this year.

Thank you all for your support/concern/phone calls/cards and the meals prepared & delivered to us by Nicole's Tri Delta sisters.

Cheers,

darin.

Unity is Strength, Knowledge is Power and Attitude is Everything

LIVESTRONG