WHAT A WEEK THIS HAS BEEN!!!!

Directly from the Cedars-Sinai Hospital room that Valerie is in today, recuperating from two hours of surgery on Tuesday...here is an update of the 'incredible' last few days.

After being in Scripps Memorial Hospital for one week, fighting the very serious infection that was diagnosed upon her arrival, it was determined on Sunday, 8/20, that her gallbladder was enlarged and appeared somewhat abnormal on a CAT scan. Physicians at Scripps Memorial determined that gallbladder surgery was not an option, due to the proximity to the liver and tumors. Their recommendation to put in a tube to drain the gallbladder which is a process with "no end to it", and comes with its own set of problems. After several phone consults with Dr. Nick Nissen, an incredibly talented liver surgeon at Cedars-Sinai Hospital, who was actually our first consulting doctor at the beginning of this 'journey', we decided not to proceed with the tube option, and we transferred Val via ambulance to Cedars-Sinai Hospital in LA on Monday evening, 8/21. As many of you know, 'waiting patiently' is one of the most difficult aspects of life, but it certainly takes on a whole new dimension, when one's life is concerned. We waited three days for a bed to open up at Cedars so we could transfer Val......three very long days during which she was in severe pain and had a fever which would not completely go away.

We arrived on Monday night, 8/21, at Cedars-Sinai Hospital and Val was checked in quickly and taken right to a room. Early Tuesday morning, Dr. Nick Nissen examined Val, ordered an abdominal ultrasound, and a few other tests, and scheduled her for surgery later that day. At 4:00 PM Val was 'wheeled into the operating room', and two very long hours later, Dr. Nissen came out and told us that her 'nasty, red, angry, filled with poisoning pus' gallbladder was entirely gone, and that the infections she had been fighting should clear up in days. He actually showed us several 'amazing' color photographs of the gallbladder, both before removing and after. It did look 'angry' to say the least, and we rejoiced that this 'culprit' was gone!!!!

Wednesday, 8/23, was the first day 'after surgery'......and as all who have had any surgery know....it was a very difficult day. Val is experiencing discomfort from the surgery and from the fact that her 'systems' were shutting down for several days, and needed to be 're-booted' to function normally again. She is very aware, however, that the 'culprit' is gone and that she is 'on the mend'. The 'mystery' surrounding the cause of the recent recurring infections has been solved. She should be able to return to her home, her own bed, and best of all to her three boys on Friday or Saturday. We have all been thankful for the outcome this week. Nancy, Chris, and I have been on hospital duty up here in LA.....Rich and Paul are on 'kid duty' back in San Marcos.....while Julie who accompanied us to LA on Monday night and then drove home to San Luis Obispo in the middle of the night....checks in frequently......and so many others in the background are helping too. WHAT A TEAM!!!!

Thanks for your prayers.

Aunt Char