Expect the unexpected

Ken had been in Fremont CA for work early on in the month of January. He got home on Wednesday, Jan 16th and was in the hospital by Jan. 23rd with what the Dr. diagnosed as appendicitis. He went into the ER in the morning and came out of surgery at 11:45 p.m. Imagine my surprise when the surgeon explained that Ken would be in the hospital appoximately 7 days because the appendix was so infected he couldn't do the surgery endoscopically.

True to the doctor's word Ken was not released from the hospital until Tuesday, January 29th in the early evening. His time in the hospital went well. He must have a high tolerance for pain because even though he had his appendix removed and a small part of his colon (the cecum) he only took two half doses of Morphene the whole week. We never even filled his prescription for pain when he came home. He was told that he couldn't lift more than 5 pounds for 6 weeks following the surgery. (Do an experiment--5lbs is not very much!) He walked around gingerly for the week after his release, but was back at work on the following Monday February 4th, ready or not.

Slide Show

Ken's brother Nathan, makes recovery more fun.

On Tuesday, February 5th, Ken left work early to go to an appointment with the surgeon to have the remainder of his staples removed. The doctor removed his staples, but asked him to wait so that he could talk to him. This was the first sign that something was not as it seemed. The doctor told Ken that the pathology report showed the appendictis was actually cancer. He was diagnosed with Adenocarcinoma of the Appendix. Of course Ken was stunned. We had no idea that there was anything to worry about. Ken's arrival at home with wide eyes and anxiety cued me in that something was not right. He pulled me into our bedroom. Sitting on the edge of our bed he said "I have cancer" My answer "Nuh uh!" And yet a second time the same dialogue. The third time "Jeanine, the doctor said I have cancer." This time I believed, questioned, and cried.