Today Luanne had her surgical consult. A little apprehensive going in, but the surgeon was very informative, pleasant and helpful. The surgery is schedule for December 18, with a 2-3 day hospital stay.
Some of the technical details: the mass is in the right side ascending colon, about 4 cm. in size, non-obstructive. But as many of you know, size does not matter! It is the amount of penetration, in this case into the colon wall. Here, less is better and the surgery will tell. Apparently of all the possible variations of colon cancer, this one is best (best cancer, a true oxymoron). Prep is similar to a colonoscopy. Otherwise there are no restrictions prior to the surgery. “Do everything you normally would,” the surgeon said. “Piece of cake,” Luanne said (that was not a request for a slice, but a reflection on the ease of thing going into all of this). After surgery she can’t move anything over 20 pounds for two or three weeks, and must eat a low fiber diet for two weeks. Otherwise, she is up and about and eating the night of surgery.
So for now, business as usual.