Albert Rodney & Victoria Jeanette
Friday, October 10, 2003
The Biliary Drain
One doc (?) said that Dad's biliary drain tip was in the gall bladder and did not go all the way to his intestines. Because of Dad's complaints, I called Dr. Newcomb who confirmed that he did the procedure and that there is internal drainage. The catheter will be replaced every 3 months or so.
James A. Newcomb, MD
Diagnostic Medical Imaging
Lehigh Valley Hospital
Work: 610-402-8088
Wednesday, October 08, 2003
New phone is working & talked to radiologist
There new phone is now working: 610-433-7949. Dad said he just got your flowers.
They removed his drainage bag today re the radiologists orders. Dr. Newcomb is the one who placed the drain. I was a bit confused because one doc said he would have the bag for the rest of his life. That contradicted the first doc I talked to.
I called Newcomb who was very nice. Dad will have to have the drain replaced every 3 months or so. It IS draining on the inside which is good. It must have been a resident who was confused with the terminology --one type of drain just goes to the gall bladder and ends there. Dad's goes all the way to his intestines which is much better since the bile with its salts will help his digestion and lessen the chance of him dehydrating.
Tuesday, October 07, 2003
Re: Whipple
Don't know. Definitely a good question for Hoover. Still waiting or word on
his discharge at 1:15pm. -Rod
----- Original Message -----
From: "Vicki Lynne Morgan"
To: "'Rod Murray'"
Sent: Tuesday, October 07, 2003 11:45 AM
Subject: RE: Whipple
> Just curious, do you know if Medicare has control over whether or not
> they will bless any given surgery?
> I just hope Dad's hopes are not dashed .... Given the tumor size, age,
> and mortality rate. I'd like to see him spend a comfortable period of
> time with Mom in a secure and safe environment with mobility and as
> little pain and discomfort as possible.
>
> Vl
Re: Whipple
I've been looking into it too. His tumor size is 3 cm. We won't know DNA of
tumor since he has had no biopsy and biopsy is probably not warranted. We
need to know what Hoover's surgical mortality rate for pancreas resection is
and how many he does per year.
-Rod
----- Original Message -----
From: "Vicki Lynne Morgan"
To:
Sent: Tuesday, October 07, 2003 9:28 AM
Subject: Whipple
> Called Dad this am and he's excited (as you know)
> about the prospects for this procedure.
>
> Here is a site that features info he might like to see.
> If you download you might wish to take it with you
> today.
>
> There is no mention of age as related to survival
> percentage. Do you know the size of the turmor, dna,
> diploid, etc. as noted in the article?
>
>
> vl
Monday, October 06, 2003
Dad going home tomorrow + good news
Vicki,
Dr. Herbert Hoover (really), the head of Cancer Surgery, went over Dad's
case and told him that his tumor may be operable! He is going on his
physical findings and the chart notes. Hasn't seen the films yet. He said
that it is good he is going 'home' tomorrow to gain strength etc. and would
see him next week to make final determination and possibly schedule surgery.
Dad is most likely going to be discharged tomorrow -- I'll contact Janet,
the "Discharge Manager" who is already in contact with Tina at NewSeasons. I
plan to drive up to take him to his new home -- should be "apt" 310 instead
of 306.
Spent 45 minutes at Wachovia. They screwed up. I had to sign 3 more forms
etc.
Exhausted. Going to bed now. We'll talk tomorrow.
Sunday, October 05, 2003
I spoke with Tina today to alert her that Dad might be moving in early this week. I also asked her to reserve the Deluxe room (310). I'll call Verizon tomorrow to have them change the phone installation.
Tina says we can have any Hospice care service we want. She has already been in touch with Marissa (?) at LHV Hospital re Dad's transfer. My recollection is that Hospice care is covered by Medicare.
I'll plan to go up on the morning of Dad's transfer. He asked me to buy him an electric shaver so he can get cleaned up before he leaves. I got him a Norelco on his credit card.
Still working to figure out the finances -- Wachovia still doesn't have us in their system as POA as of today. I'm going to stop by Wachovia tomorrow to get them to spead it up!
