Back to Texas

My consult in New York went well. I met with the head of the surgical team and several members of the staff. We discussed just about all the angles and they determined that given all the conditions and complications that they can do the surgery.

The complications are that the cancer has invaded the superior mesenteric vein. This vein takes blood from my intestines back to the heart. My body has utilized other paths around the blockage but to complete the surgery they will have to enhance the blood flow in that area by reconstructing the vein. They cannot properly analyze that situation until they go in. The best pictures they have are CT scans and MRIs and they are only so good. They will remove the head of the pancreas and my gall bladder as well as the bile duct stent that was placed last March. I won't miss the stent, the gall bladder I would rather keep, but if it has to go, so be it.

I will be hospitalized for ten days or so, or until they get tired of me, whichever comes first. Then there will be ten days or so of convalescence somewhere in New York City before I am released. Such a pity, all those great restaurants and I'll be on a restricted diet. I am still trying to arrange where the convalescence will be so there are still some logistics to settle.

Also, since the time is extended, Nutri-Nazi and I have to wrangle out the time(s) she will be with me. She will likely come up for the surgery, return and then come up again when I transition from hospital to convalescence. The coordinator and the surgical team both went over the menu for when I am out of surgery. I had to tell them that Nutri-Nazi, true to form, already has it posted on the refrigerator. She is already scheming to control my diet. The woman is absolutely ruthless on diets and controlling food consumption. Hence the name Nutri-Nazi.

All in all, this is the first day in nearly a year I have not felt death standing right here, looking at his watch and tapping his foot impatiently. Kinda miss him. He was fun to play poker with (great poker face), lousy at small talk, but he did have some funny stories. You have to appreciate dark humor though.