Today's Visit.

Aimee visited the surgeon today, and the last of her tubes were removed. He is impressed with how well she has healed thus far. So much so, that she might not have to have compression tights to reduce swelling from lymphadema.

Afterwards, we talked with the oncologist, Dr. Atkins. He told us that the pathology report on the lymph nodes removed from surgery showed extensive cancer. Some of the lymph nodes showed extracapsular cancer-- meaning that it had gone outside of the lymph node capsule into the surrounding fatty tissue. None of this was really news to us at this point. But he did think that the extent of the cancer may call for more intensive post operation treatment. Right now he thinks that radiation is out of the picture-- the infected area is too big for this type of treatment to be effective. He also thought that interferon might not be the right answer-- too weak. So he's leaning towards treating it solely with doses of interleukin II.

For now, though, he wants to wait, get another PET scan, and see what is left over after surgery and then proceed from there. So, another appointment will be set for 3 weeks from now with a PET scan somewhere in between.

But our kids should be happy-- Aimee is cleared for lifting and holding them now!

No News

I am up and about-feeling much better and much more mobile. I even made it to Will's sister Lizzy and her new husband Court's wedding this past weekend-which was lovely and exciting.
However, my doctor's visit for this week has been postponed until my, um, fluid production is down. Hopefully, I will get in to have the last of my tubes out and for a long awaited time-line for treatments on Monday or Wednesday. We'll let you know what happens. Thank you again, very much, for all your love, prayers, time, energy, thoughts and more. We have the most amazing friends and family. All our love to you.

Follow up visit

It's been a week and a half since the surgery, so Aimee visited the surgeon today. He took out her stitches and some of the tubing she had. Everything looks good right now in terms of healing-- he was impressed with how much sensation she has in her leg. Usually, most patients have some temporary or even permanent loss of sensation in parts of their leg after such a procedure.

Next appointment is one week from today, Wednesday the 20th. She'll meet with the oncologist then and we'll discuss different treatment options at that point.

Home.

The doctor's OK'd Aimee yesterday, so we came home last night. Walking is still difficult for her at this point, so she's still confined to bed-rest. But she was happy to see Xavier and Tilly, and they were so excited to see her.

So now-- sleep, more sleep, and then even more, until she meets with the doctor on Wednesday, June 13th for a follow-up.

What's in a name?

In case you tried to inquire about her status, Aimee's last name is listed in the hospital as "Alcarez-Cowan" (Our insurance company insists this is her name, despite our protests.)

I finally got to see her late last night, around midnight or so, in the recovery room. Luckily, they set her up with a private room, and I was able to stay with her through the night. She's currently in Room 906, Farr Building of Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center.


By this morning, the post-anesthesia nausea has mostly worn off, but she's still pretty tired. The doctor recommends rest all day today, but she should be able to see visitors on Sunday. Visiting hours are 11:00am to 8:00pm.

Thanks for all your prayers.

Aimee is fine and recovering.

Just talked to the surgeon, and he said that the surgery went well. No problems or complications-- it seemed to go longer than the estimated 5 hours, but the surgeon told us ahead of time that 5 hours was probably a little too conservative an estimate. For a procedure such as this, 7-8 hours is the norm.

Aimee is in the recovery room right now-- and hopefully, I'll get to see her soon! :)

Thank you everyone for your prayers.