Surgical Outcome and Recovery

In all honesty, it was many days before I truly knew and understood the full outcome of my surgery. Even though Dr. Wernberg had been in the following day to explain everything, and Janet had told me things, I was so drugged up, I did not grasp what I had been told.

Once I finally began to heal and they decreased the amount of pain killers, I finally understood most of what had happen during the surgery.  In a nutshell, they could not remove all of the cancer.  They were able to remove the large mass, described in size as larger than a football.  However, there was more cancer within the chest wall that was inoperable and it was too dangerous to try and remove the part coming through my ribs. I also learned they had found the mass was not only attached to the kidney and liver, but also attached to a small area of my lower right lung.  This meant they had to remove that portion of the lung.  They also removed my gall bladder and 80% of my diaphram.  This was repaired by replacing the area with mesh.

Dr. Wernberg was genuinely upset they could not get all the cancer, but she said it would have been too dangerous for them to attempt anymore than they had.  She said she even called in a specialist during surgery to look at the ribs and chest wall area.  They said it was just too risky to continue.  One of her exact comments to me, which I will never forget is, "All and all, Cindy, the best way for me to describe it is: I decided I liked you more, than I hated your cancer."

It's hard for me to put into words how I felt when I truly realized they had not gotten everything.  I also learned that the biopsies taken of the remaining cancer cells during the surgery show further aggressive Sarcomatoid RCC.  I was so sore from the surgery, I tried to concentrate on my recovery and put all this and my feelings about it aside.

To me, my recovery felt like hell.  I thought I would never feel good again.  I had a chest tube, a catheter, two IV's, leg pressure cuffs, and oxygen.  There were more tube's attached to me than I could keep track of.  Everytime I moved, I hurt from the chest down and constantly had to know where those tubes were.

Janet was there night and day being my personal care taker and cheer leader.  She was wonderful!!  At times though, I was so annoyed when she pushed me to get up and walk, or do my beathing exercises. When I look back now, I know what she did must have helped in my recovery because I was released from the hospital after 8 days!

Me, the day before my discharge.

The Surgery

After checking into the Hope Lodge on June 11th, Janet, Debbie, and I got the suite set up.  Once we were settled in the room, things begin hitting me.  I started feeling somewhat anxious and needed to have sometime alone with Janet.  I knew she would bring me the comfort I needed.  We decided to take a short drive.

We had not gotten far until I asked Janet to park.  My mind was flooded with so much, all I could do was cry.  I mean, after all, I could die in a couple of days!  I kept thinking about Dr. Wernberg saying, "There is no guarantee, Cindy.  This is a MAJOR surgery and there is a fear that you could bleed out during it."  Not only that, I was scared to death if I did pull through the surgery, what kind of shape was I going to be in?  They told me they would do all they could to reconstruct my rib area along with the diaphram and chest wall, but I may have permanent disfigurement and limitations.

Of course there were no answers or comments Janet could make to take all those fears away, but what she did do and say gave me the comfort I was looking for.  She held me as I cried then said, "Cindy, I truly believe in my heart of hearts that you are not going to die in this surgery and no matter how you are after the operation, I will be there by your side, step by step, loving you as I always have.  WE WILL GET THROUGH THIS!"

These moments and words allowed me to pull myself together and I felt so much better.  Shortly thereafter, we left to go back to the room. Knowing the next day was going to be a long one, we said our goodnights to Debbie and headed to bed.

The next day was filled with pre-op test and appointments at the Marshfield Clinic and St. Joseph's Hospital. My first was scheduled for 7 am and they continued until 4 pm.

The most important appointment of the day was with my surgeon, Dr. Wernberg.  Again, she was very caring, thorough, professional, and left me feeling like I was in very competent hands.

Debbie and Janet was such a big part in helping to keep my nerves under control that day.  We had a lot of waiting time at each appointment and their natural sense of humor kept my mind occupied.  I can't imagine the day without them!

We finally returned to the Hope Lodge and met up with my sister, Carla.  I was so glad she came down the evening before my surgery.  The four of us hung out, and shared supper together.  It was a lot of fun and made the evening fly by.  Before I knew it, it was time to go to bed.  My surgery was scheduled for the following morning at 8:00 am and I had to check in by 5:30 am.

Saint Joseph's Hospital

Marshfield, WI

I was actually surprised that I slept as well as I did and happy for it.  The morning was a blur.  In some ways, having to check in so early was a good thing.  I didn't have time for the nerves to get the best of me

Once at the hospital, I did not have a long wait before they called me to go into pre-surgery.  They assured me as soon as they could, they would allow Janet to come back and spend time with me before surgery.  (They said that would be in about an hour or so.)

While I was in pre surgery, the rest of my family and friends began arriving.  From my understanding, they pretty much took up a large section of the waiting area.  This consisted of my son and his girlfriend, my brother, 2 of my niece's, my great neice, 2 great friends, and a cousin.  Adding Debbie, Carla and Janet meant there were 11 in total there for my benefit.  It felt so good knowing they were all there.

Unfortunately, there were issues getting the epidoral in place for my surgery.  Things took A LOT longer then they had anticpated.  By the time they finished prepaing everything, there were only 10 minutes left before I was to go into surgery.  I was getting a little worried about what Janet would do if she wasn't allowed to come in, so we could see each other. 

Even though they had given me some wonderful drugs, I can still see and remember the angst I saw on Janet's face by the time they let her and my son in to see me. I knew there must have been a bare spot in the waiting room carpet from her pacing back and forth.  Though it was short, I needed those moments with them.  It meant everything to me!

The surgery was 6 hours long.  I came out at 2 pm and I was in recovery another 2 1/2 hours.  The first thing I remember, once in my room, is Janet calling my name and asking for a wink.  Moments later I remember my room being filled with all those who had come that day.  I really don't remember too much more until late that night. 

Janet stayed on a cot in the room with me.  I remember waking and feeling like someone had ran over me with a semi-truck.  I knew I was on a self morphine pump, but I couldn't find the hand control to push the button for another dose.  I called out to Janet, and she got up & found it hanging off the side of the bed.  After giving me a dose, she tied the pump to the bed rail and put the control in my fist.  I was out within minutes.  Sweet relief!

(4) Pre Surgery: Debbie comes from Maryland

Through it all, Janet has been so strong.   (At least she is in front of me.)  As the day of my surgery got closer, I began seeing the worry on her face and could feel the stress building within her.  She was doing her best to hide it, but I knew.

I was so relieved the day she came into the den and said she had just talked with her sister, Debbie. She was grinning from ear to ear when she told me that Debbie was flying in from Maryland to be with us for my surgery.  Even though Janet is close with members of my family, I know there is nothing like having a sibling stand by your side.

Not only was Debbie flying in 2 days early so she could go with us to the pre-op appointments in Marshfield, she was going to come back to our house after the surgery and stay with our dog, Jacy, until I was released from the hospital.  I couldn't believe that she was going to do all of this for us!

Debbie, Janet's sister

On the afternoon of June 10th, we picked Debbie up from the Chippewa Valley Airport.   It was so good to see her!  I had time that afternoon and evening to visit with her like she was just here on vacation.  It was just like Debbie, to come bearing gifts.  She brought me a beautiful pajama set to wear during my hospital stay.  They were so pretty and COMFORTABLE!

After spending the following day getting all the last minute details taken care of, going to the grocery store and other errands, we packed the Blazer and headed to the Hope Lodge, in Marshfield, WI.

(3) Pre Surgery: The Family Cookout

As soon as we got word of the surgery date, Janet wanted to have a cookout for the entire family. At first, I couldn't believe she was even suggesting a cookout!  I was stressed and felt like there was just too much to do in getting prepared for the surgery.

She explained that she had already talked with our niece, Monica and we could have the cookout there. As always, Janet had a sparkle in her eye when she said we had a large pork shoulder in the freezer just waiting to be smoked.  She said she would go over the day before to get things ready, and smoke the pork.  Her famous potato salad and baked beans were also on the menu.  They would ask the rest of the family to bring a covered dish.

The more I thought about it, the more I knew it would be a fun day and rid me of some of the stress I was feeling.  So, on June 8th, the weekend before my surgery, the whole family came together for a great time!  Thanks to everyone who came and made the day so special for me!!!

Below are some pictures taken on that day, unfortunately, I got caught up in the fun and didn't get shots of everyone there.

Me, holding my great niece, Kendra

Janet's Smoked Pork

My partner, Janet, grillin' burgers and dogs.

My niece, Monica and my great nephew, Cameron
with great niece, Kendra

Lawn Dart Competition

My niece, Erica

My niece, Jenny, holding great niece, Kendra

My son, Travis and his girlfriend, Bobbie Sue

Erik, my nephew, up to no good!

My dear friend, Shelly

My nephew, Paul and my son, Travis (black shirt)
showing off their Lawn Dart expertise

My brother, Lowell, the Lawn Dart Champion!

"Didn't you bring home any leftover's?"

Jacy

Again, I apologize for not capturing everyone with my camera that day.  I did not get pictures of  my niece Melanie and her family, Kyle and Austin- my great nephew Issac- nephew Josh and his two sons, Colton, and Mason, Carla, my sister -  AND THE WONDERFUL FOOD!

There were other's taking pictures that day.  If you have any shots of those I named above, PLEASE CALL ME!

(1) Pre-Surgery: My Surgeon

It felt like forever for me to get the call from St. Joseph's, but my cell phone finally rang and I was told the surgery was scheduled for June 13, 2013.  I immediately felt like I had SO MUCH to do before the surgery.  The first thing they scheduled, was a meeting with the primary surgeon and the urologist.

Janet and I traveled to Saint Joseph's, in Marshfield, WI, to meet them on June 3rd.  Although we had researched Dr. Jessica Wernberg's professional profile online and liked what we saw, we were both a little apprehensive when learning the limited number of years she had been practicing as a surgeon.

Dr. Jessica Wernberg-Surgeon

We were both nervous going into the meeting with Dr. Wernberg, but she made all the difference in making a horrible situation seem more manageable.  It was not easy listening to her talk about my surgery, especially when she got into the specifics.   Due to the mass being attached to several organs, she said they would be removing my entire right kidney, part of my liver, part of my diaphram, areas of my chest wall, and possibly 2 ribs. 

I was not expecting the comment about removing my ribs.  I knew a part of the mass was coming between two of my ribs, but none of my doctors in Eau Claire had talked about their removal.  I have to say that I'm not sure I heard some of her following comments because all I could think about was losing ribs and what that would be like.

The next thing I heard her say was they would be consulting with a plastic surgeon to assist with reconstructing the areas of my ribs, chest wall and diaphram. She continued by saying they may have to do other removal or repairs depending on what was found during the surgery.

When I gathered myself together, I ask her exactly how dangerous the operation would be.  She said, 

"There is no guarantee, Cindy.  This is a MAJOR surgery and it is possible you could bleed out during it.  Of course, we will do everything within our power to see that it does not happen."

As overwhelming as it all was, Dr. Wernberg had a natural gift of making you feel a sense of security with her.  She delivered what she had to say with great professionalism and the perfect amount of a friendly personality with bedside manner.  She didn't candy coat the seriousness of the operation, but the meeting with her ended with confidence.

The operation would be performed with her leading a team of multiple doctors.  There would be 5 surgeons, along with many other specialists, including the plastic surgeon on standby.  In total, there would be over 20 members of medical staff in the operating room!  We left the meeting with Dr. Wernberg feeling scared but confident we had one of the BEST on our side!

Following our meeting with Dr. Wernberg, we met with one of the other primary surgeons, Urologist, Dr. J Vincent Thomalla.  He is the surgeon that removed my right kidney.  In essence, he repeated what we had heard from Dr. Wernberg.

At first, Dr. Thomalla seemed gruff and lacked showing any empathy, but as the appoinment continued, he "softened."  He began showing more of a caring personality and made me feel like he was truly on my side to give his full expertise for a successful outcome.

Dr. J Vincent Thomalla, Urologist-Surgeon

   

(2) Pre Surgery: The Hope Lodge-Marshfield, WI

The Hope Lodge

Marshfield, WI

On our same visit to Marshfield to meet with my surgeon, Janet and I went to the Hope Lodge to see what it was like.  The Hope Lodge is run by the American Cancer Society and only provides cancer patients and their caregiver accomodations while they are staying in Marshfield to receive treatment at local medical facilities.

We were told about "The Lodge" by my oncologist, Dr. Delmastro.   Once the date of my surgery had been scheduled, he filled out all the necessary paperwork for me to stay there during my pre-op appointments and Janet to stay there the entire 11 days. (Throughout my pre-op, surgery, and release from the hospital)

We rang the bell of the Hope Lodge doors and a smiling woman greeted us.  I told her we would be staying there in about a week or so, and ask if we could take a tour.  She was more than gracious and spent a lot of time taking us around the facility and explaining how it was run.

As soon as we walked into the first main room, I could tell they wanted you to have as close to a home-like feel as possible.  Their was a huge "livingroom" area with beautiful decor, stone fireplace, large couches and chairs with a big screened TV.  A room connected to the livingroom was a library filled with books, puzzles, and movies.   She explained that any of these can be used in the library or taken to your room.

Around the corner was an area with two computers for residents use and further down the hallway was a common area that had coffee, bottled water, juices, fruits, pastries and other snacks.  A few steps took us into a huge, open kitchen and dining room area.  Actually, there was a total of 4 kitchens within this room.  Each resident is assigned a kitchen.  This kitchen gives you a place to keep food within a frigerator/freezer, use of stove, microwave, and everything you would need to make and serve a four-course meal!!!  You are also given an locked cabinet to keep any dry goods you may want to store. They even had two "common refrigerators/freezers" that residents can freely take any food or condiment they want from them.

The upper floors were set up much like large hotel suites.  The suite we saw had wonderful furniture and looked very comfotable.  It had a coat closet, and a built-in desk as you enter the room.  The livingroom area had a pretty pullout sofa, with matching lounge chair and a TV.  The bathroom was exceptionally large with plently of shelving to store personal toiletries.  The bedroom was large with a queen size bed, side tables, dresser and closet.  Anyone would be more than comfortable in these suites!

On the lower level of the lodge were rooms with specific purposes.  A meditation room, an exercise room, a room with toys and play areas for visiting children, a room for classes and meetings, and even a day room where someone who is not a quest could take a nap.  Also downstairs was a laundry facility where residents can wash and dry their clothes.  They were equipped with detergents, dryer sheets, and even an ironing board and iron.

Janet and I were both blown away by how clean, modern, and wonderful this place was.  We could not have felt more thankful knowing we were going to have such wonderful, worry-free, accomodations while going through such a scary time of my journey.