Rick was discharged from the hospital today and is happy to be home!
His pain is manageable with medication. He is very tired and weak but is getting better everyday.
For my 50th birthday the kids planned a trip to the Kentucky derby for all of us. This has always been on my bucket list. When Rick was first diagnosed we thought we wouldn't be able to go. With the Drs approval we are now hoping to still make the trip to Kentucky next weekend. As long as Rick continues to improve each day as he has been, we will be enjoying all being away together and rooting on the ponies!
We will be seeing the oncologist in the next couple of weeks as our next stage of the journey.
Thank you to everyone for all your love and support. The cards, flowers, food, help with the dog (Audrey) and yard ( Hubert) installing of the central vac (Luis) parking (Lisa) and above all, your prayers. We all thank you.
Xo
Saturday, 30 April 2016
Thursday, 28 April 2016
almost home
Hey everybody,
Just a quick further update. My dad is now post-op day 6. The tube going through his nose to his stomach has been removed thankfully. His bowels are moving and the nausea is getting better day by day. He has been up walking around. Not much keeping him in hospital anymore other than his diet. Today he is on fluid diet and as long as he can tolerate it he will be advanced towards full diet. Hoping to be able to go home in the next couple days.
Just a quick further update. My dad is now post-op day 6. The tube going through his nose to his stomach has been removed thankfully. His bowels are moving and the nausea is getting better day by day. He has been up walking around. Not much keeping him in hospital anymore other than his diet. Today he is on fluid diet and as long as he can tolerate it he will be advanced towards full diet. Hoping to be able to go home in the next couple days.
Tuesday, 26 April 2016
Recovery update
Hi all,
Just some updates regarding my dad's progress. He's now post-operative day #4. His wound looks nice, healing well with no signs of infection. Since the surgery his main issues have been pain control, nausea and vomiting, and regaining strength and mobility.
Regarding his pain, it has been well controlled. He was initially on a self-controlled pain pump, but has since moved on to regular pain medication about every 4 hours. The hope is his pain continues to improve and he can be given oral medication to go home on and eventually weaned off.
Anytime someone has intra-abdominal surgery the bowels get disturbed from being rummaged around. It takes a little while for them to wake up and kick back in afterwards. As a result, everything backs up and my dad was feeling extremely bloated and nauseous. The team put a tube in through his nose to his stomach to resolve some of the distension and relieve some of the nausea. We're all happy to announce that my old man finally had a bowel movement this morning and that bodes well for him getting home soon.
The last thing before my dad can go home will likely be his strength and mobility. With all the nausea he hasn't been able to eat much and hasn't felt like doing much of anything. Now that that's resolving, hopefully he'll be able to get up and walk around a bit. We're hoping for discharge home by the end of the week.
Once discharged, we will await the appointment to oncology for the next step.
As always, our deepest thanks to everyone for keeping us in your thoughts and prayers.
Just some updates regarding my dad's progress. He's now post-operative day #4. His wound looks nice, healing well with no signs of infection. Since the surgery his main issues have been pain control, nausea and vomiting, and regaining strength and mobility.
Regarding his pain, it has been well controlled. He was initially on a self-controlled pain pump, but has since moved on to regular pain medication about every 4 hours. The hope is his pain continues to improve and he can be given oral medication to go home on and eventually weaned off.
Anytime someone has intra-abdominal surgery the bowels get disturbed from being rummaged around. It takes a little while for them to wake up and kick back in afterwards. As a result, everything backs up and my dad was feeling extremely bloated and nauseous. The team put a tube in through his nose to his stomach to resolve some of the distension and relieve some of the nausea. We're all happy to announce that my old man finally had a bowel movement this morning and that bodes well for him getting home soon.
The last thing before my dad can go home will likely be his strength and mobility. With all the nausea he hasn't been able to eat much and hasn't felt like doing much of anything. Now that that's resolving, hopefully he'll be able to get up and walk around a bit. We're hoping for discharge home by the end of the week.
Once discharged, we will await the appointment to oncology for the next step.
As always, our deepest thanks to everyone for keeping us in your thoughts and prayers.
Friday, 22 April 2016
Post-surgery
Hi Everyone - Matt here again.
This morning at 8 am my dad had his surgery. Unfortunately, once the surgeons cut in, the cancer was more widespread than they initially thought from the scans (although scans were clean, it's not an exact science and sometimes you can only tell the true extent of the illness once you're in the OR). The team took a biopsy of some lymph nodes and awaited pathology in real time. The pathology came back indicating that his nodes were positive with cancer, and so it was deemed futile to carry out the surgery as initially planned. Basically, there's no benefit of putting my dad through a surgery removing half of his liver when they know the cancer has already spread. My dad was closed up and out of the operating room by 11:30.
Sadly, my dad's care at his point will likely be switched from a goal aimed towards cure to a goal more focused on palliation. He will likely spend 4 or 5 days in hospital and then follow up with the oncology team after discharge regarding chemotherapy options.
My dad is doing well following the surgery, his pain is well controlled. This was a tremendously difficult and emotional day for our family, however, it was made easier by the tremendous love and support we are surrounded with. We cannot express our gratitude enough for all the love and prayers.
This morning at 8 am my dad had his surgery. Unfortunately, once the surgeons cut in, the cancer was more widespread than they initially thought from the scans (although scans were clean, it's not an exact science and sometimes you can only tell the true extent of the illness once you're in the OR). The team took a biopsy of some lymph nodes and awaited pathology in real time. The pathology came back indicating that his nodes were positive with cancer, and so it was deemed futile to carry out the surgery as initially planned. Basically, there's no benefit of putting my dad through a surgery removing half of his liver when they know the cancer has already spread. My dad was closed up and out of the operating room by 11:30.
Sadly, my dad's care at his point will likely be switched from a goal aimed towards cure to a goal more focused on palliation. He will likely spend 4 or 5 days in hospital and then follow up with the oncology team after discharge regarding chemotherapy options.
My dad is doing well following the surgery, his pain is well controlled. This was a tremendously difficult and emotional day for our family, however, it was made easier by the tremendous love and support we are surrounded with. We cannot express our gratitude enough for all the love and prayers.
Thursday, 21 April 2016
april 21 2016
The big day is almost here.
Rick is feeling well and is very positive.
He has been a rock for all of us.
The support and strength we have received from countless people has been absolutely amazing and we will be forever grateful.
Surgery is scheduled for 8 am tomorrow, it could be a 8-10 hour surgery. I will update as soon as we have any information, but we probably won't know anything until after the surgery is complete.
Thanks again, Rick feels your strength and love.
Rick is feeling well and is very positive.
He has been a rock for all of us.
The support and strength we have received from countless people has been absolutely amazing and we will be forever grateful.
Surgery is scheduled for 8 am tomorrow, it could be a 8-10 hour surgery. I will update as soon as we have any information, but we probably won't know anything until after the surgery is complete.
Thanks again, Rick feels your strength and love.
Wednesday, 13 April 2016
All systems go
Today we received some more good news. My dad's scans for staging the cancer before surgery revealed no spread to his bones, lungs, colon or abdominal organs. Thus, there is nothing preventing Dr. Quan from attempting surgery and hopefully he'll be able to cut out the entire tumour. Surgery gives the best prognosis for anybody with cholangiocarcinoma and we are grateful that my dad has been given a chance to beat this thing. April 22 will be a big day.
Continued thanks for all the prayers and support. Ricky's a warrior. Everybody's doin well and we feel so loved. Further updates to follow after the surgery.
Continued thanks for all the prayers and support. Ricky's a warrior. Everybody's doin well and we feel so loved. Further updates to follow after the surgery.
Friday, 8 April 2016
Coach's Pride
Hello all -- this posting comes from Coach Ricky himself.
Wishing congratulations and expressing all my pride in my Saints Girls Varsity team who made it to yet another tournament final in our annual trip to York University for CanLan hockey.
The girls were outstanding once again, and in a rebuilding year, surpassed all expectations despite a heartbreaking shootout loss in the championship.
This is our team's 6th championship final game, four times going to overtime shootout.
Still, what a year -- and what an outstanding group of young women. We are part of a rich tradition and are Saints family together forever.
Wish I could have been there with the girls, but we stayed in contact by cell phone speaker and I am privileged that my asst coach OB went out of her way to make me a part of the tournament and a part of the achievement. It was phenomenal to hear the girls laughing and cheering and responding to the postgame and between period comments. And what a job by coach OB!
Couldn't be prouder -- especially of OB and our seniors who will be missed.
You might note the "I will" banner in the pick OB sent (I love her for that -- she was on the first Saints team, and she really gets the significance of that for us as team -- and i know it was especially a private pep talk for me in my current battle against an ugly opponent: Thanks OB, for such an uplifting and upbeat notice -- you're damn right, I WILL knock the monster on its ass.
And I know together WE WILL all move on from here better for the challenge and the struggle,
And with all this inspiration -- and all the love and support from all of you -- my dear family, friends, Saints family and colleagues, athletes, and Onion Open Brothers, each and every one of you,
we will triumph.
Wishing congratulations and expressing all my pride in my Saints Girls Varsity team who made it to yet another tournament final in our annual trip to York University for CanLan hockey.
The girls were outstanding once again, and in a rebuilding year, surpassed all expectations despite a heartbreaking shootout loss in the championship.
This is our team's 6th championship final game, four times going to overtime shootout.
Still, what a year -- and what an outstanding group of young women. We are part of a rich tradition and are Saints family together forever.
Wish I could have been there with the girls, but we stayed in contact by cell phone speaker and I am privileged that my asst coach OB went out of her way to make me a part of the tournament and a part of the achievement. It was phenomenal to hear the girls laughing and cheering and responding to the postgame and between period comments. And what a job by coach OB!
Couldn't be prouder -- especially of OB and our seniors who will be missed.
You might note the "I will" banner in the pick OB sent (I love her for that -- she was on the first Saints team, and she really gets the significance of that for us as team -- and i know it was especially a private pep talk for me in my current battle against an ugly opponent: Thanks OB, for such an uplifting and upbeat notice -- you're damn right, I WILL knock the monster on its ass.
And I know together WE WILL all move on from here better for the challenge and the struggle,
And with all this inspiration -- and all the love and support from all of you -- my dear family, friends, Saints family and colleagues, athletes, and Onion Open Brothers, each and every one of you,
Thursday, 7 April 2016
continuing on..
Hello all still Matt here,
new update - my dad had the colonoscopy today and the bone scan yesterday. I wasn't present but am told bone scan results won't be available for 5 days. c-scope today looked pretty clean apparently apart from some polyps that were removed. no obvious tumour or mass in his colon which is good. My dad is scheduled for the CT scan of his chest and abdomen next week. Will keep everyone posted as things materialize. For now things still looking the same. Surgery April 22 will hopefully be a go.
Sending out our love to all, and continued thanks for all the prayers and support.
new update - my dad had the colonoscopy today and the bone scan yesterday. I wasn't present but am told bone scan results won't be available for 5 days. c-scope today looked pretty clean apparently apart from some polyps that were removed. no obvious tumour or mass in his colon which is good. My dad is scheduled for the CT scan of his chest and abdomen next week. Will keep everyone posted as things materialize. For now things still looking the same. Surgery April 22 will hopefully be a go.
Sending out our love to all, and continued thanks for all the prayers and support.
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