Half Way Through 2012
It's been six months since we started down this road of liver disease. On January 25th we got a definite diagnosis for hepatacellular carcinoma with underlying liver disease. Up until June things were moving pretty fast and now it seems to have slowed down. We won't be seeing doctors until December. Until then we only have blood test on a monthly basis and a CT scan here or there. Our next procedure is a CT Scan on July 2nd. We are hoping to see a significant schrinkage of the tumor, although the doctor said it could be 9 month before we see something big.
Now the biggest challenge is to keep Eldon from hurting himself. Last night he fell out of the truck while he was trying to single-handedily take his motor bike out of the back of the truck. He's complaining of right knee and calf pain, this might become an ER visit after all. The doctor said to just live his life like normal but I may need some kind of protection suit. LOL!
Friday was a busy medical day but it turned out to be a good day. First our visit to the Liver Transplant Clinic. They were happy with the fact that Eldon is doing so well. We don't have to go back for 6 months, we did have to get some more blood drawn. Not as many tubes but still uncomfortable for him. Then we visited with our Primary Care doctor, Dr. Tipton. Seems Eldon's thyroid levels are a little high. So she adjusted his medication and we don't have to come back for 6 months with her. Things are going well. We were told to live our lives as normal as possible, nothing too whacky or crazt but to enjoy our time together. So we are gardening and fishing, it's one of Eldon's favorite things to do.
Yesterday was the first of three doctor appointments this week. Dr. Fischbach has been so wonderful to us. When Eldon told her that he has a motorcycle he rides she kindly reminded him that most of the donors come from motorocycle riders. I told her his "bike" is a 110 Honda Trailbike and that he calls it his "hog". She laughed and said it sounded more like a "piglet". That's exactly what I called his "hog". He's doing well and she's pleased. In July we will have a CT scan and that will show us more about the liver tumor. I asked if the tumor could be completely gone at that time. She said it could be probably not. She told us it could take 9-12 months before we see the tumor completely gone. We can live with that. So the doctor told Eldon to live his life, within reason, nothing wild and crazy. She also told us to expect to wait at least a year before the transplant takes place. She's saying maybe next spring. I wish we didn't have to wait so long but then it shows that Eldon is doing well and all the blessings and prayers are working. Thank you.\
Tomorrow we have two appointments, one with the Liver Transplant Clinic and the other with our regular family doctor. Dr. Tipton, the one who found this tumor and saved Eldon's life.
