Debbie's Update Today Regarding Scott's Recovery

Here is Debbie's Caring Bridge Post from about 7 hours ago.  (I know since Caring Bridge has changed their privacy settings it's been hard for some of you to get in to the Caring Bridge Page.  I've been told by a Friend that she has a Caring Bridge Site and still had to use the Heiman6 Password.)

     I saw Scott last night around 9PM. It was a quick visit, and he could barely keep his eyes open. My Mom and I went back to the Ronald McDonald House to get some sleep.

We came back this morning around 9AM. When I first saw him, he wasn't talking because his throat hurt so much. He just whispered everything. 

His nurse said that they would move him to ICU today. However, when his surgeon Dr. LaQuaglia came in, he said he would move to the pediatric floor today. That was exciting news! I will be able to stay with him here. He got moved into his room around 1:45PM. 

The Dr. removed his NG tube. He felt a lot of relief after that came out. 
His mouth is extremely dry! He's had nothing to eat or drink since Thursday. He hopes to be able to have something tomorrow. They said not today though.

His pain is being managed pretty well. He is very tired and sleeps off and on. He is still on oxygen, because his oxygen levels drop when he dozes off to sleep. Hopefully he'll be off of his oxygen tomorrow.

I'm so proud of him for fighting so hard! I'm not at all surprised by how well he is doing less than 24 hours after such a major surgery though! It was 7 hours long, and I heard that Dr. LaQuaglia worked hard that whole time! He's an amazing surgeon, and we're so blessed to have him as Scott's surgeon.

I'm hoping that Scott feels a little bit better later today and can get up and walk. Dr. LaQuaglia wants him to start moving. I'm not in a hurry to push him though. He knows his limits and will definitely push himself when he's ready. After all, he always has been a fighter!!! I just love this guy so much, and realize every day what a lucky woman I am to have him in my life!

It was the sweetest thing when I first saw him this morning! He whispered, "I want to see my kids now!" Gary and Karen, you can let them know he thought of them first thing this morning! 💜 We sure do miss them more than words can express!

I'm thankful that my Mom is here with me. It was nice to not be alone, especially all day yesterday! I know my sister Jenny really wanted to be here for surgery. Scott's counts just didn't allow for that to happen. Thanks for coming to New York for us! It really meant a lot!

Thanks to everyone for your texts, FB posts, CB posts, and prayers yesterday. The time flew by, thanks to the nonstop encouragement that was sent our way. All of these things brought a big smile to my face throughout the day, and kept my mind off of what was happening to Scott. We have such amazing friends and family! We love you all!


This is Jen writing:  We praise God for a successful surgery.  Many prayers are still needed for his recovery, as this was a pretty major surgery and he is in a lot of pain, as you can imagine.  Thanks for following up to see how Scott is doing! :-)

My BIL's Surgery Today in NYC

I wanted to post an update, so that my Friends without a Caring Bridge Account could read my Sister's updates from Today.  I know some of you have asked, so here are her updates through out the day.

1st Update

The nurse came to tell us that surgery started at 11:10AM NY time. All we know is that surgery is just getting started. 

Anesthesia is working well, and his vitals are all good. Nothing else to report at this time.

The next update will be around 2PM NY time. I'll keep you all posted. 

All of the posts, texts, and pictures are keeping me going! Thanks for the overwhelming amounts of love!!!


2nd Update

Scott has been in surgery for 3 1/2 hours. We just got an update. 

So far, Dr. LaQuaglia has removed his spleen, two masses from his abdomen, and his omentum (a covering of the organs).

The nurse liaison said that Dr. LaQuaglia never gives an estimated time that he will finish. He just takes his time and does it right. I feel very confident in his abilities! God is in control after all.

I can't believe that we've been here 8 1/2 hours already. It will be a VERY long day!!!

Thanks for the continued prayers as the surgeon and his team do their job. Love from New York!


3rd Update - 5 1/2 Hours Into Surgery
We just received another update. It was VERY vague. Things are going well. He has moved into Scott's upper abdominal area. 3 specimens were removed from around his colon. The surgeon is continuing to work.

FB Update

I'll post a CB later. Wanted everyone to know surgery was done in 7 hours. All is well.


Out of Surgery

I haven't been able to see Scott yet. I'm anxiously waiting to be by his side. They said it would be around 8PM, and it's 8:10 right now. A nurse just came to tell me that I will only be allowed to see him for 5 minutes. I will not be able to stay with him. I'm not happy about that at all, but I understand their reasoning. It just really stinks! When I see him, he won't be awake. The pain meds are making him sleep, which is good.

In addition to my previous updates, we found out that they took a piece of his pancreas that had a tumor connected to it.

Dr. LaQuaglia said that it's not necessary to do stem cell harvesting anymore, since he didn't qualify for the 8H9 immunotherapy trial in NY. That's one step to check off our list.

Dr. LaQuaglia feels as if he was able to remove all of the tumors in his peritoneum. He did not touch the liver.

He will recover in the hospital for about a week. I know he'll do his best to get out sooner than that. It wouldn't shock me if he set a record! This man is determined to get home ASAP! I'm more than ready as well!

When we return to Milwaukee, we will start FAR (full abdominal radiation). 

That's all I know for now. Keep up the prayers for a quick recovery!

Thank you for your continued prayers!  Debbie and Scott have now been away from their kids for over 2 weeks.  Please pray for a quick recovery, so that they can get back home to be with their Family.  I will keep you posted as I know more.