Kathy’s surgery has been scheduled for August 20th. During the surgery she will have 12 inches of her colon removed. She will also have a temporary colostomy bag put in place. She will be in the hospital for 5-6 days following surgery. Before she is released to go home, they will place her port-a-cath in her chest for her to receive chemotherapy. She will start Chemotherapy 4-6 weeks after surgery. They need to give her body time to heal and her immune system to build up. This chemotherapy will be much more intensive (the typical chemo you hear about…hair loss, nausea, fatigue..all the fun stuff) . Once she is finished with chemotherapy the surgeon will re-attach her colon and there will be no need for a permanent colostomy.
Kathy is in good spirits and is feeling pretty well. She has been off her chemo medication for over a month and so her Rheumatoid Arthritis is starting to flare up. She is also scheduled for a CT scan on the 29th to see the size of the tumor and to also check if the nodules in her lungs have shrunk.
Also, while she has had a break from radiation and chemotherapy she was able to spend some time in Newport with Wendy and her family (Maggie and baby Garrett) and she and Grandma Willard also came to Utah for 10 days. We loved having them!
Thanks again for all of your thoughts, prayers and support!
