2/9/03

Dear Family and Friends,

 

Most of you know that Ken was diagnosed with cancer on Dec.20th. We just were told after more testing that it was pancreatic cancer. We have been going to Duke and now are working with a local oncologist for treatment. He has to have a blood test before each chemo treatment and our Dr. at Duke said it would be easier on him if we could find someone closer as Duke is about 2 1/2 hours from us. If his blood was too low we couldn't get the treatment done and would have to come home and go back another day. So we took her advice.

 

Ken's abdominal cavity was just filled with fluid. We had asked his regular Dr. about getting it drained as he was so uncomfortable and always felt full, so he was eating next to nothing. When we saw the oncologist her office set up an appointment with a surgeon to put in a porta cath and also to drain his abdomen. He had that procedure done last Thursday and spent the night in the hospital. When he went into the hospital he weighed 202.5 After 13,000ccs were drained in less than 24 hours (13 liters) and he came home he weighed 178. Its no wonder he felt so lousy and full all the time. We are now keeping  track of his weight everyday and have decided that when he gains 10 pounds we will get the fluid drained. Just think of having 2-10 lb. bags of sugar in your abdomen. We are not going to let that happen again. Supposedly when he starts the chemo (this Monday) it will help to keep the fluid from building up.

 

We both just want to say thank you for all your prayers and good thoughts. We are going to fight as hard as we can to conquer this and get him well again.

 

Love Carol and Ken