Apology and Informstion

I wanted to say sorry for taking a LONG break from posting. In all honesty I wasn't sure how many people were still reading this blog. I have had several people explain "I have been checking your blog and you haven't posted--I didn't know that all of this craziness was going on." So please accept my apology. I will try to do better. I think that I was hoping that maybe there wouldn't need to be anymore information shared, but that doesn't seem to be the case. Never a dull moment at the Legler's house.
Anyway here I go! I will try to get you up-to-date on the last few months. At the end of December Ken had his CAT scan. It took a while to get the results, but everything looked good (no cancer) except for the two hernias and the gall stones that showed up on the scan. We were ecstatic about the about no cancer, but were a little surprised by TWO hernias not ONE and the gall stones.

Ken's hernia surgery was already scheduled for January 28th. We contacted the surgeon to see if the new information would change to the surgery at all. He said that he wouldn't be dealing with the gall stones that would have to be addressed during another surgery, but he would be able to fix both hernias at once. Ken went to San Jose soon after the Christmas holidays and got home in time to do the pre-op tests. His EKG came back normal. We weren't so blessed with his blood work. On January 27th, Ken got a call from his primary care physician explaining that his hemoglobin count was extremely low and he wasn't sure if the surgeon would want to go ahead with the surgery the next day. He said that he would be faxing the results of the test to the surgeon. We never heard anything from the surgeon so we showed up bright and early on Jan. 28th for surgery. The surgeon was aware of the blood problem and had Ken typed and crossed in case there was a problem and a transfusion was needed during surgery. The surgery went relatively well. There was actually THREE hernias not TWO and the bowel was actually engaged in the hernias. What I thought would be an over night stay in the hospital actually dragged out to 4 days there. Ken was finally released at 8:00 Saturday night (Jan. 31st).

All during the stay in the hospital the doctor kept talking about a transfusion. They never gave him one. Ken's surgeon and oncologist/hemotologist were in contact trying to decide how to address the problem. Ken never had a transfusion although the nurses kept expecting it to happen. Ken has a hereditary anemia called Thalocemia. It can not be treated. A normal hemoglobin count is 13-15. His normal hemoglobin levels are 10 to 11. His count was 7.9 before the surgery and went down to 7 after the surgery. When we met with Ken's oncologist/hemotologist on Feruary 6th, he expressed his concerned about the reason Ken's count is so low. He wants a colonoscopy and upper GI series find some answers. They will be looking for a reason that Ken might be losing blood this might include a number of reasons one of which could be cancer.

Ken's surgeon doesn't want to do the colonoscopy and upper GI until Ken has healed a little more from the surgery as the patient's abdomen has to be filled with air to do these tests. So these test are scheduled to happen March 20th. We are anxious to get some answers and have been trying not to worry too much.

Ken's recovery from this surgery has been more difficult than the last two, which has surprised me. Who knew that hernia surgery would be so difficult? Ken's incisions has gotten infected. In fact, he went into see the surgeon on Feb. 20th because his incision was so sore and red. The doctor tried to draw some infection off with a needle, but didn't get anything, so he sent Ken home with an antibiotic. The next day the incision broke open and has been draining ever since. It feels and looks better than before, but Ken is very tried of having a stain on the front of his shirt. Even with tons of gaze taped over the incision it still leaks through.
I am hoping that Ken will contact his surgeon before he goes to San Jose next Monday, March 9th. He has completed his antibiotics, but he is still draining. I would hate to see the incision get worse while he is out of town. Anyway that is our crazy story as it continues on. I had hopes of having an ending to this story, but that doesn't seem to be the plan right now. We could still use your faith and prayers on our behalf. Thank you for your concern and love for us. It means so much!

On a funner note, my sisters reunion begins this week Thursday March 5th. We will be here in the valley and we will go up to St. Johns for a couple of days. My sisters Ann and Irene fly in at 4:00p.m. on Thursday and Lynette will drive in the next day after she gets done with work. We have a get-together planned with all of our neices and nephews that live here. I am looking forward to some laughter, memories and good times.

I will try to post some fun photos from the sisters reunion. I will let you know when we get some answers from the upcoming test.

Hoping that you are all well and happy!
Love,
Jeanine