Thanks for the thoughts and prayers for Aaron. The findings from the surgery were not what we had hoped for. The surgeon admitted that she was shocked to find the section of the bowel in such bad shape. She removed an 8" section of the large intestine adjacent to the small intestine. The section was inflamed and swollen and was the site of the obstruction. She removed two lymph nodes and the analysis showed cancer in both nodes; she removed all of the nodes in that network which are being analyzed now to determine how far the cancer has spread. Kathy, Steve, Mary, Jeff, and my mother were together during the surgery which was a great. Kathy and Steve will be searching for an oncologist so that Aaron can start chemotherapy sometime soon.
The good news is that this appeared to be the only active site for the Crohn's and by removing the obstruction, Aaron will be able to eat and gain digestive function again.
Aaron has been volunteering with children who are undergoing chemo and when he was told of the need for his own chemo treatments he said that he had seen a number of children deal with it and he felt he could as well.
Not the best news at present, but there is an abundance of hope and faith....
Love you all,
Bill
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Thanks for the update, Dad. I have been praying for him, as have 60 of my students. Hopefully the power of prayer will prove itself. Crazy...
I have a feeling that the thought of our Chicago reunion in a few weeks will help Aaron to power through! (Sorry, Dad, you're still not invited)
My Dear Maggie, I have also thought that looking forward to the fun times in Chicago will lift Aaron's spirtis. Dominic is bringing him a book about Chi-town today.
I still want to go to Chicago with all of you, but will have to be content with your stories.
Love you,
Dad
ouch maggie..not even inviting your own father....
Hi Bill, This is most unusual for this age group! 30 years of GI and I can't recall a single case of Crohn's Disease becoming malignant in such a young person! According to Hoyle the cancer risk increases with early age @ onset,severity of illness course, duration of illness,etc. Most unusual. This is an outlier for sure. The prayer is that any residual tumor burden will be susceptable to chemo &/or irradiation. There are superb Oncologists all over Seattle: UWMC, Seattle Cancer Alliance, The Fred Hutch, Virginia Mason. Should you or the family have any problems in that regard, let me know. His surgeon should be well versed & connected in this regard as would be John Droesch. My prayers are with him, his parents and all. Mike
Mike, Thanks for your insights, prayers and good wishes...there is a consensus that Aaron's case is unusual. I am so sad that this faithless disease has become part of his young life.
Steve Shulte's sister is in the health care business and her husband is a physician in Tacoma and they have gotten their choice for an oncologist on the job. I would welcome any names that you find particularly competent and I will offer your recommendation to them.
I am headed down tomorrow to Tacoma to see Aaron in the hospital and will report back with any new information.
Thanks again,
Bill
Hi Bill, If they are set wiht a good person they fell comfortable with, that should suffice.
Hi Bill, If they are set with a good person they feel comfortable with, that should suffice. No need to interfere.
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