The 12/10/2025 surgery

It’s late afternoon here on December 11, and I'm still struggling a bit with the effects of anesthesia and oxycodone, but so many have reached out that I wanted to share what I can.

The surgery started about 9:30 and ended about 1:45 yesterday. Dr. Zani went first (working for roughly 2 hours) and then Dr. Rossi finished up (again, working for roughly 2 hours). Rick and Ethan met with both surgeons.

Dr. Zani was happy to share that most of the disease was in proximity to the liver rather than attached to it or in it. However, above the liver there was disease attached to the diaphragm. In removing that disease the diaphragm was perforated, and they had to repair the diaphragm. Further, on the back side of the liver, there had been three spots on the PET scan and they removed what appeared to be the disease that matched the scan.

Rick's impression was that Dr. Zani was generally positive about the fact that much of the disease was not in or attached to the liver.

According to Dr. Rossi, disease was widespread throughout the abdomen. She removed all visible disease, but she emphasized that she could only work on what she could see, and there is certainly widespread microscopic disease throughout the abdomen, as well.

There was disease on the appendix, and she removed my appendix.

There was disease on the colon and lower digestive tract, but she was able to remove this without damage to or removal of any of the colon. The colon and the bladder were pressurized to make sure there was no damage there.

Further treatment options will be discussed at my post-op appointment on December 29.

Though we had been hopeful I would be able to come home yesterday, due to the amount of blood that I lost during surgery as well as a few minor complications such as a low body temperature (88 degrees), it was best for me to spend the night at Duke. I had a great nurse named Lionel, and I actually slept quite a bit.

I was discharged about 10 am today, and it was a smooth trip back to Wilmington. I was greeted by some peonies my sweet (and 39 weeks pregnant) daughter-in-law had left for me.

Big decisions lie ahead, but for now, I'm just thankful to be home.

Today these lyrics have been playing in my head:

I remember how You told me
That life may not be easy
And everything that I need
You've already given me

You've walked me through fires
Pulled me from flames
If You're in this with me
I won't be afraid.

When the smoke billows higher, oh and higher
And it feels like I can barely breathe
I'll walk through these fires
'Cause You're walking with me.

-Jordan St. Cyr

Thank you to the many who have prayed and shown your love in tangible ways. I am humbled by your thoughtfulness and kindness.

How it started...

Pre-op

How it's going

Post-op

All didn't go exactly as planned, (for one, I'm down an appendix🤣).

I'm here at Duke for the night. More details in the days ahead.

Thanks for praying ❤️

One last delivery

The time has come. Rick and I will head to Durham in about an hour, and I have packed as much as I could into today. I am happy to report I was able to go for a run, then a walk on the beach early this morning. Beyond that, all Christmas presents are wrapped and under the tree, and laundry is washed and put away. I made one last bank transaction for Haiti Awake, and I even had a chance to do one more delivery for Moe’s. (No matter how well surgery goes tomorrow, I won’t be able to lift much until sometime in January. Therefore, I’ll be out for a while.)

This is what was waiting for me at work when I arrived. It was so unexpected. My heart was touched. Nearly six years ago when we stopped at Moe’s one night for dinner and the GM asked, “Hey! Are you interested in a little part-time job?” I’m so glad I said, “Yes!” I enjoy getting out in the community, meeting people, and bringing them food. (Who doesn’t love Moe’s?)

If you had asked me what I needed today, I would never have guessed this was it. But it was.

Surgery is a week from today

As we walk through this Advent season, a season of hopeful waiting in the darkness, I'm reminded of the gifts cancer has given me - not the least of which has been the gift of purposeful reflection.

Today's devotional from Henri Nouwen is especially applicable to where my heart is right now.

My 2nd Lupron injection - November 24, 2025

I have to admit that being back at the Zimmer Cancer Center here in Wilmington is a little surreal, and I also feel like I have come back home. I am thankful for the opportunity to receive care locally in coordination with Duke.

Yesterday I received my 2nd Lupron injection - 21 days after my 1st. Again, it was administered in my flank, this time switching the left side. Very little discomfort, just a pinch. No noticeable side effects so far. In fact, I ran 2 miles, then walked 3 this morning and felt great.

I appreciated the opportunity to see Dr. Robinson yesterday. He is so incredibly kind and caring. I felt seen and heard.

He allowed me to have blood tests yesterday that I requested, and, at my request, he has ordered those same blood tests for December 8 - two days before my surgery with Dr. Rossi and Dr. Zani.

Further, we scheduled my 3rd Lupron injection and next office visit with him for December, as well as a follow-up visit in January before the WDW Half Marathon (which I am still hoping to complete).

Tomorrow I’ll be two weeks out from my scheduled liver resection and debulking surgery at Duke.

Today is not that day

Am I on the downside to 55 years? Yes

Do I have active disease? Yes

Am I on Letrozole and Lupron? Yes

Am I facing a liver resection and debulking surgery December 10? Yes.

Did I just run a 10K with my best time in years? Yes

One day I won't be able to do this, but today is not that day.

This week’s question - Lupron

Many friends have asked, “So, how’s it going with Lupron?” I want to keep track of any side effects here, just like I did when I started taking Letrozole in June of 2023.

For the first seven days after taking Lupron (and continuing to take Letrozole), I did find myself feeling emotional (read: weepy) quite a bit and at times feeling a sense of dread (read: anxiety). Neither of which is normal for me, but I have had a lot going on. So, it could be the buildup of stress - or it could be the Lupron/Letrozole combo - or it could be both. The other potential side effect has been fatigue, but again. I’ve had a lot going on, and we had the return to Eastern Standard Time this weekend. That could explain the fatigue, as well.

Regardless, it has been tolerable.

October 31 update

I hope this is the last update on this issue.

Surgery will actually be December 10, not December 4.