Robert's finally got home but with complications

Well after 10 days in the hospital, Robert finally got to come home on July 9. He developed jaundice and they are still keeping an eye on his liver. But the day he was discharged we noticed draining from his abdominal incision. The PA looked at it and right away knew she had to open up the incision due to the severe drainage. He had necrosis. They opened up half of his 8 inch long incision and packed it. I've had to pack it twice daily to let it heal from the inside out. We do have a RN coming out 3 times weekly to check to wound and track progress. Well a couple of days ago I noticed increased drainage and just wasn't looking right...the RN agreed and contacted the doctors so we had to go back to UofM today for them to check it out. Turns out another pocket of fluid had accumulated under the part of the incision that was still sutured. So guess what? They had to open the incision completely. It was a very painful process for Robert with 2 PA's and the physician having their hands in there, poking q-tips in there, and sticking him with the needle several times trying to numb the area. I was hard to watch They were concerned that the facia was not intact and making sure no drainage was coming from that area. Thank goodness that was still intact but looking in the incision I can see the sutures that are holding it together. So i'm still going to be packing his incision now 3 times per day, it's very frustrating for him because I know he just wants to heal and he refuses to look down at his abdomen. I'm just trying to remind him to take it one day at a time but he's getting really impatient.

As for good news! The pathology report came back clean, there are no signs of cancer, the tumer shrank to nothing and of the 15 lymphnodes removed 4 had some scarring but no had any cancer. The surgeon seems very optimistic on his prognosis. So for that we feel very greatful.

Anjanette & Robert