[Heathkit] Re Medical Update

[Elden P Laffoon, Sr.]

Old Friend,  my family and I will be praying for your complete recovery! 
You'll make it through this trial and be stronger than before!  

Keep the faith, Duane!  I suspect the Master Illusionist still has some
tricks up his sleeve to defeat this threat!

All The Best,
Elden and Family


On Wed, 6 Aug 2003 10:23:40 -0400 "Duane Fischer, W8DBF"
<dfischer@usol.com> writes:
> 
>         
> The results of the colonoscopy were a tumor in the upper colon. It 
> is definitely
> cancerous. The bowel is obviously obstructed because of this tumor, 
> perhaps a
> 3/8 inch opening remains. This tumor has been there for at least 
> eleven months,
> probably longer. Even though I told a doctor of a problem exactly 
> where the
> tumor was found back in October of 2002, he elected to not pursue 
> it. His
> assumption as to the cause of my symptoms was wrong. Had he pursued 
> it then, the
> tumor would have been discovered and my chances for recovery greatly 
> improved.
> As recently as thirteen days ago I once again pointed to the are and 
> told the
> doctor I believed he needed to do a CT scan to see what was there. 
> Again he
> dismissed it, stating he did not see how it could be related to an 
> apparent loss
> of blood. Well, when he returns from vacation he is going to get the 
> news -                 
>         
> Because of his oversight, and the potentially terminal nature of the 
> situation,
> the specialists are moving with extreme rapidity. The odd part is, 
> the doctor
> who errored is a teaching physician, a terrific person and a good 
> doctor. Why he
> failed to realize what was going on puzzles all of us. But 
> nonetheless, it
> happened. 
>         
> Surgery is scheduled for Friday August 15th at 11:45 AM EDT. They 
> will be
> removing the tumor and doing a resection of the bowel. Until the 
> surgeons
> actually see the tumor they will not know for sure how advanced it 
> is or if it
> has spread beyond the colon. They are especially concerned because 
> it is very
> close to the liver. All tests done to date do not indicate 
> additional problems,
> but they are anything but conclusive.        
>         
> If all goes well, I should be hospitalized from three to five days. 
> The probable
> release date would be Tuesday August 19th.         
>         
> I am feeling fairly good for the time being. Hemoglobin is back in 
> the normal
> range, but on the low end of normal. Nonetheless, a big improvement 
> from the 6.8
> level prior to the transfusion. My energy is limited, but the 
> terrible fatigue
> is gone. I keep trying to remain active each day, good for the body 
> and the
> mind.         
>         
> My thanks to the many who have sent me well wishes, called or 
> stopped in. Your
> support, encouragement, sharing of personal experiences and prayers 
> are the
> things miracles are often made of. Keep them coming! I plan to get 
> through this,
> alive and functional. The hope is that it has not spread, it can all 
> be removed,
> chemo or radiation will not be needed and that I will be off the air 
> about a
> week. I am praying that hope becomes a reality.                
>         
> Duane Fischer, W8DBF        
> 
>         
> 
> 
> _______________________________________________
> List Administrator: Duane Fischer, W8DBF        
> ** For Assistance: dfischer@usol.com **         
> $$ See the vintage area on the HCI web site - http://www.w9wze.org 
> $$ 
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