On the Mend

Good news!  Mike met with his surgeon on Friday (September 10), who doesn't want to see him again until December.  Everything is looking good.  He is supposed to schedule a follow up appointment with his oncologist to discuss long term plans for remaining cancer free.  He also goes back to work this Thursday after a 3-month leave.  Things are looking great so we are all happy.  Thank you for supporting him through this experience!

Back Home

Mike was released from the hospital on Friday.  He is recovering well at home.  He'll be on an IV treatment for 14 days.  Unlike last time, however, these IV treatments will only last 30 minutes, rather than 5 hours at a time.  Thanks for continuing to pray for him.

Hospital Day Three

Mike had a CT scan on Wednesday and the liver function is good.  The issue is the fluid built up in his abdominen.  He continues to be on IV antibiotics and it looks like he might get released on Friday.

Hospital Day Two

The redness on Mike's abdominen marking the infection has shrunk somewhat, so the antibiotics must be working.  They also drained about a liter of fluid from his abdominen and are going to culture it to get a better idea of exactly what it is.  Mike didn't sleep too well Monday night because of all the hospital noise.  Hopefully he was able to get some rest last night - we haven't checked with him yet.  Thanks again for keeping him in your thoughts and prayers.

Back in the Hospital Again

Mike was admitted to IU Hospital this afternoon.  He has a large infection around the old drain site and is also retaining fluid.  He's in the hospital so they can give him IV antibiotics and culture the infection to find out exactly what they are dealing with.  Karen said he is in good spirits so far and is looking forward to feeling good once and for all.  Please keep him in your prayers.

Day 60

Physical therapy has been going well and Mike is getting some of his strength back.  His vision is fine but his speech is still slightly impaired, particularly when he is tired.  He has a doctor´s appointment today, so we will post another update after that.

Mike and Lilly

August 7, 2010

Day 51

Mike had a follow up appointment with the surgeon yesterday.  She said he's still on the right road to recovery.  He's been meeting with the physical and occupational therapists, as well as doing exercises on his own.  Thank you for continuing to keep him in your thoughts and prayers.

Day 43

Mike had a good follow-up appointment with the surgeon today.  She said he is doing well and on the right road. 

His drain tube was taken out (he's so happy about this).  There's a small infection around the drain site, but he's on antibiotics for three days to clear that up.

He has some fluid accumulating through his abdominen, but it is different than the fluid that accumulated near the liver which put him back in the hospital.  The surgeon said this fluid accumulation is normal and part of trying to get everything in his system back in balance.  Mike is going back in for an ultrasound this afternoon and a procedure that will drain the abdominal fluid.  (It's not uncommon for liver surgery patients to need to have 2-3 of these procedures during their recovery).  The ultrasound will also check the flow and pressure in the liver.

Mike has been having some speech issues, but those appear to be clearing up as well.  He has another follow-up appointment scheduled for next Friday, but if he feels well, continues to eat well, and has good physical therapy sessions, he has the liberty to cancel that appointment.

This is very good news after a stressful month, so we are all thankful!  Thank you for keeping him and our family in your thoughts and prayers!

Day 42

Six-weeks post-surgery and finally we have an update on the physical therapy situation.  A physical therapist went to the house yesterday to access Mike's strength. The therapist will be coming to the house 2-3 times a week to help build his strength back up.  Mike's personal goal is to get as much strength back as possible by September 1.  When the physical therapist is not around, Mike has exercises he's supposed to work on 2-3 times per day.

Day 39 Post-Surgery

No updates yet on in-home or out-patient physical therapy.  Mike is still pretty weak, but he's able to eat three meals a day.  Thank you for keeping him in your thoughts and prayers.

Back Home

Mike has been back home since Tuesday afternoon.  He's hanging in there.  We are still waiting to hear how the physical therapy is going to be arranged.  Mike has been good about getting up on his own initiative and walking around the house, sitting up, etc.  Many thanks for keeping him in your thoughts and prayers.

Hospital Day Eight

Mike will be discharged from the hospital today.  Unfortunately, Anthem did not approve an inpatient physical therapy rehab program.  Someone is trying to arrange an outpatient physical therapist to come to the house, but that hasn't been worked out yet.  Fingers crossed.

Hospital Day Seven

Mike is still in the hospital.  We are waiting to find out if his insurance has approved a 7-14 day in-patient rehab program.  If so, he might get transferred today.  If not, he might get discharged home for an out-patient program.  We would all prefer an in-patient program.  Mike is all for it if it will help him get better faster.  It's all still up in the air right now.

Hospital Day Three, Part II

The procedure to unclog the drain tube finally took place this afternoon.  They had to start a new drain site and will eventually remove the old one.  Mike is probably going to experience a real increase in abdominal discomfort once the pain meds wear off.

The surgeon came by today and told him that she would like to keep him in the hospital until she can find the right in-patient rehab for him: one where he will be challenged but not in over his head. 

As always, the prayers and thoughts are very much appreciated!  Thank you all!

Hospital Day Three

The procedure to unclog (possibly replace) the drain tube was delayed to this morning.  It is supposed to start at 8:00 a.m.  We'll post when we know how it went.  Also, it is looking more and more like Mike will be going to a rehab center when he is released from the hospital.

Hospital Day Two

The CT scan results are in and have provided some answers.  When Mike left the hospital at the end of June, he went home with a drain tube to remove fluid from around his liver.  The drain tube has become clogged internally, causing an accumulation of fluid in the abdominen.  This accumulation was pressing on his stomach, making it uncomfortable to eat, which has in turn contributed to the drop in his nutrition and energy levels.

This afternoon the doctors will perform a procedure to try to unclog the drain.  The blood tests and liver function look good and part of his liver is starting to regenerate, so that is great news.  Mike will be in the hospital for a few days.  They haven't given an estimate on when he will be released because they want to get his nutrition and strength up before sending him home.  They are really watching his nutrition and calorie intake right now.  There is also talk of him undergoing physical therapy once he has been released, but whether it is at home or at a rehab center is still TBA.

The surgeon said Mike is on the right track, as hard as it is for him to believe right now.  She said it could take 8-10 more weeks before he actually starts to feel good again, given how much his body has been through. 

Thank you for the continued prayers and support!  We will keep you updated on his progress!

Back in the Hospital, Part II / Day Twenty-Six

Mike is in room 3717 at IU hospital.  Tonight they are going to do a few x-rays and tomorrow morning a CT scan of the abdomen and pelvis.  They are also going to draw more blood and run tests.  His blood pressure has come back up and his temperature is normal at the moment.  He is very weak and is experiencing an increase in abdominal discomfort.  We don't know yet if this is just a bug, if he is dehydrated and his fluids are out of balance, or if it has to do with the liver.  We are glad he is back in the hospital where they can monitor his condition constantly - it brings a certain peace of mind, even for Mike, although we would obviously prefer he was at home and feeling better.  Please continue to pray for him and for Karen, who has endured so much and has been so patient and caring and strong during this time.

Back in the Hospital

Mike is being readmitted to the hospital.  He woke up this morning very lethargic and with a fever.  We don't know what is going on yet but will post as soon as we do. 

Day Twenty-Five

Mike is hanging in there.  His blood pressure has been low and he is back on IVs, but the surgeon and nurse practitioner still insist he is doing alright for the surgery he underwent.  As far as comparing him to other patients who have undergone similar surgery to get a gage on how he is doing - it's impossible.  His case has been so unique from the start that the surgeon says he is not following any of the normal protocols, even in recovery.  So, instead of saying he's doing well or poorly, they just say he is doing alright, all things considered.

Mike has another appointment on Friday and he is hoping to be off the IV for good by then.  Thank you so much for keeping him in your prayers - he needs them and appreciates them!

Day Twenty

Mike is off the IV as of today, pending results of a blood test that should be available Monday.  He is able to eat three small meals a day, which is an improvement.  He is experiencing more pain in his abdomen now that his pain medication has been cut back.  He is still very weak, but his doctors believe he is doing alright for being nearly three weeks post-surgery.  His next post-op has been scheduled for one week from Friday.

Please continue to pray for him during this difficult recovery.  The prayers definitely helped while he was in the hospital, and he needs them to carry through this next stage, which is both mentally and physically challenging.  Thanks so much for your continued support!

P.S.  His home computer went on the fritz following a lightning storm a few weeks back, so he hasn't been able to read or respond to any e-mails (neither has Karen for that matter).  We share blog comments with him, but if you have e-mailed him or Karen and haven't received a reply, that's why. 

Day Eighteen

Happy Birthday, Mike!  Today we celebrated his birthday and he said he was thrilled to be able to celebrate another year.  Mike's appetite has been improving slowly as his sodium levels go back up.  He seems to have more energy today and is walking with a lot more spring in his step.  The surgeon said he probably felt so bad last week because his sodium was so low, but now that it is getting back to normal, he's feeling better.  He's still getting an IV transfusion every afternoon.  He has another post-op scheduled for later this week.

Day Sixteen, Part II

One very important detail was omitted from the earlier post (sorry!) - yesterday the surgeon said that the pathology reports on the tumor show that the margin was good and they are confident that they removed all of the cancer from his liver!  Please pray that this is true and that Mike remains cancer free for the rest of his life. 

The surgeon called Karen today to discuss the results of Mike's latest blood tests.  It's good news!  His sodium levels are almost normal!  His protein levels are normal, which is good because protein will help the liver heal.  His platelet count is up to 91,000 from 36,000 immediately after the surgery - platelets help clotting.  He's not anemic, either, so his iron levels are looking good.  This is a major improvement from his pre-surgery levels, which were practically non-existent.  In sum, the surgeon thinks everything is going to start turning around after today. :)  Mike is doing better today - you can tell he doesn't feel good, but he's doing a lot better than he was the last few days.

Dr. Maluccio, the surgeon, is going to call back tomorrow to check in.  She is a rockstar.  She has been so hands-on and personally involved in the case.  We are very grateful for her guidance, follow up, and attention.  For being one of the foremost liver surgeons in the state, her personal involvement has been so impressive.  She's been able to put a lot of our fears at rest - definitely a God-send during such a trying time.

Day Sixteen

The surgeon said Mike is doing alright for being 2 weeks out from such a major surgery.  She even took all his stitches out yesterday herself - 54 or 56 in all.  She took more blood and is going to keep monitoring his levels.  He has lost 12 pounds since Sunday.  He still sleeps a lot and doesn't eat much, but Karen is trying to make sure he gets 4 Ensures a day and proteins like scrambled eggs and shakes.  He has no appetite and says everything tastes bad - the surgeon said this is also normal and it might be 3-4 weeks post-surgery before he actually develops an appetite and his taste buds get back to normal.

His birthday is coming up and the family is having a little luncheon on Monday in his honor.  We'll try to post pictures so you can see for yourself how he is doing.  He doesn't look anything like he does in the pictures in the sidebar. 

Thank you for keeping him in your prayers! 

Day Fourteen

It's now been two weeks since the surgery.   Please keep Mike in your prayers.  He's not eating well and doesn't have much energy.  Mike was put on a sodium IV transfusion at home last night, and is going to start another one this afternoon.  He'll probably be on a 5-hour sodium IV transfusion each day for the next 8 days.  Low sodium is concerning because it can cause dehydration and also affects the heart and other organs.

Tomorrow he meets with the surgeon to find out what the long term recovery plan is going to be.

Rough Patch

Mike's recovery has hit a rough patch.  A home care nurse checks in on him every other day and his test results are causing some concern.  His blood pressure has dropped and his sodium levels are extremely low.  Tomorrow the nurse will give him a sodium transfusion.  He doesn't feel well and hasn't been able to eat much. 

He has a follow up appointment with the surgeon this Friday.  In the meantime, prayers would be much appreciated.  He looks and feels a lot worse than he did last week while he was still in the hospital.

To the HP crew that sent him a Kindle - he received it yesterday and is really touched by the gesture.  Once he starts feeling better, it will get a lot of use.  Thanks so much!

Day Eleven

Mike has been discharged and is back at home!  Thank you to everyone for keeping him and our family in your thoughts and prayers.  They have definitely been appreciated.  We will continue to post updates relevant to his  recovery, but probably not every day from now on.  Thanks again!

Day Ten

Mike was supposed to be discharged from the hospital this afternoon.  However, the doctor who ordered the discharge left before signing the papers (yes, really), and the resident on duty refuses to sign them in his place.  The first doctor and the surgeon have been paged, but it's not likely either will show up at the hospital to discharge him.  It looks like it is going to be Monday now for sure.

Day Nine

Mike is still in the hospital - hopefully he will be discharged tomorrow.

We would like to send a big thank you to the ladies of Urology of Indiana (where Karen works) for buying two huge baskets full of groceries and making several meals for Mike and Karen to enjoy when he gets home from the hospital.  We are just so touched by the thoughtfulness and the support throughout this whole ordeal.

Day Eight

Mike is not going home today.  The surgeon came by and said she wants to keep him a few more days to get his fluids in balance.  Everything else looks good, he's eating better, and he continues to get his strength back, but she just doesn't want to send him home with an IV.  He is OK with this.  So, he might get discharged on Saturday or Sunday - we just don't know at this point.  We'll let you know!

P.S.  He had a DQ shake on Wednesday and said it was the best shake he ever tasted! 

Day Seven

It's one week post-surgery already!  This week passed faster than those 8 hours did while Mike was in surgery! (At least for us - Mike might beg to differ). :)  There's really nothing new to report.  He's still in the hospital and might get discharged tomorrow.  He's also a little dehydrated today so they might have to hook him back up to an IV for fluids.  Other than that, he's doing well.  He got to read the blog comments today and the first thing he said was, "The power of prayer is real."  Amen to that.

Day Six, Part II

Mike is staying put!  This is a relief.  The residents wanted him discharged, but the surgeon said he is not ready yet and that Friday is a more reasonable expectation for going home.

He still hasn't gotten that shake yet, for those of you that asked :), but Karen is taking him one this evening.  The flower/plant/fruit restriction is still in effect, but he did get flowers delivered yesterday in spite of it.

He had the TV on today and was watching the news, which means his vision is getting back to normal.  For a while there it was pretty blurry.  He's doing great on his breathing treatments and isn't hooked up to any IVs anymore.  He still looks yellow, but the doctors aren't concerned.  They did say it could either be from the red cells breaking down in his spleen or from the functionality of his liver.  They are monitoring it, but since they don't seemed to be worried, we won't worry either.

Thanks for keeping Mike in your thoughts and prayers!  We're going to print off the blog comments and take them to him tomorrow so he can read for himself all of your kind words. :) 

Day Six

Here's a shocker - they're talking about sending Mike home today!  This is kind of unbelievable (and in the opinion of the blog author, unsettling).  He is doing well (and the doctors don't seem too concerned about his yellow complexion), but he doesn't think he is ready to go home yet.  If they discharge him, it will be a scramble to get home care instructions to Karen and a hospital bed delivered (he needs the bed because his stomach muscles aren't healed enough for him to be able to pull himself up from a reclining position on his own).  We'll keep you posted.

Day Five, Part II

Mike's white blood cell count has dropped slightly - enough to put restrictions on entering his room.  Anyone without a respiratory infection can visit, but you have to wash your hands first and no flowers, potted plants, fresh fruits or vegetables, etc., are allowed into the room right now.

His skin has also taken on a yellowish hue today, but the surgeon said she is not surprised by this.  She is monitoring his bilirubin levels.  His liver just has to figure out how to function properly with 55% of it missing. 

Mike seems to be getting stronger, so that's good news!  He can get out of his bed and into a chair much more easily now than a few days ago.  He's also a lot more alert and interactive.  His breathing treatments are helping and his lungs are getting stronger, too.  He has no dietary restrictions at this point (except for fresh fruits and veggies), and was really excited when the nurse told him that if he is craving something from the outside, he can have it brought in.  The first thing he mentioned was a shake from Dairy Queen. :)

He seems to be in good spirits and asks if anyone has left comments on the blog, so we are always sure to pass them on. :)  Thank you sincerely for continuing to check in on him and to keep him in your thoughts and prayers.  We are reminded constantly that this is going to be a long recovery, but he has the right attitude about it, so hopefully that will make a difference. 

Day Five

No updates yet because we are all back to work now that Mike is out of the ICU.  We'll post something in the early afternoon once we can touch base with the nursing staff.

One thing that is certain is that tonight Mike is having two very special visitors - his granddaughters Lilly and Abby.  He hasn't seen them in a week so no doubt he is excited about this visit.

Here they are on Father's Day last year:

Out of ICU

Mike was moved out of the cancer center ICU this afternoon.  He's now in the main IU hospital - 2 North Room 2827.

Day Four

Today Mike is going to be moved out of the ICU!  The time is still TBA.  He also gets to eat breakfast this morning - juice, yogurt, scrambled eggs, and toast.  He's very excited about that.

The surgeon said everything is looking good and she is amazed he is doing so well this soon after the surgery.  She plans on doing another ultrasound one month post-surgery to check the flow through the liver and see what his "normal" blood counts are going to be (they are still skewed right now because of the operation).

Thank you for keeping him in your prayers!

Day Three Post-Surgery

Another good day is underway.  Mike still hasn't gotten much sleep, but he continues to improve regardless.  They took the gastro-nasal tube out yesterday and are going to take the IVs from his neck today.  He should be down to one IV in his hand after that.  Today he also gets to start on clear liquids like juice and popsicles.  Up to this point he's been on a diet of ice chips and fluids through an IV.  Yesterday he was starving for solid foods, so he's on the right path today.  The nurses are also going to wheel him out to a private sun room in the early afternoon so he can enjoy a change of scenery.

His lungs look OK.  The respiratory therapists give him breathing treatments every four hours.  We assume his other test results are still fine, too.  The surgeon should be back in tomorrow to give a report.  Mike is also going to be moved out of the ICU and into a regular room tomorrow.

His color is looking so good.  His complexion looks really bright and healthy, rather than pale and gray like before the surgery.

We found out yesterday that they gave him 23 units of blood during the surgery.  Apparently, the average person has about 8 units of blood inside him.  If you think about it, it's almost like all the blood in his body was drained and replenished 3 times during that operation.  The fact that he is alive and doing so well so soon after such a marathon of a surgery is a testiment to his incredible will to live, the skill of the surgeon, and some divine intervention.  We are so thankful to have him with us.  Happy Father's Day, Dad!

Day Two Post-Surgery

Mike is still doing well today.  He is more tired today than yesterday because he didn't get much sleep last night.  He was completely off sedation, so he wasn't able to sleep through all the checks they did on him overnight like he was able to the night of the surgery.  (The storms last night didn't help either).

The doctors are happy with all of his numbers and the ultrasound showed that the flow through his liver is still good.  There is some fluid developing in his lungs, but this is normal due to inactivity and they are doing breathing treatments on him to try to keep the fluid from developing into pneumonia.  They also got him up to sit in the chair for a little over an hour, which is supposed to help, too.  The doctors don't seem too concerned at this point about his lungs. 

Mike is more alert today and his voice is getting stronger.  He's also getting back his sense of humor (and sarcasm). :) We've told him about all the comments people have posted and he nods his head (can't really smile yet) in appreciation.

Thanks so much for continuing to think of him and us.

Sitting Up

Mike is sitting up!  He got out of bed for the first time around 11:30.  They want him to sit up in the chair until 12:00 to 12:15.  He's being quite the trooper and everyone is impressed with his constitution.

Also, the surgeon said the flow in his liver is looking really good.  They did an ultrasound this morning and are going to do another one later this afternoon.

Day One Post-Surgery

Mike is doing well this morning!  The ventilator was taken out around 8:00 a.m. and he is breathing on his own.  He is awake and responding to questions by nodding or shaking his head.  The surgeon came by and said she is very happy with his numbers this morning and at 4:00 p.m. (24 hours post surgery) she will have a good idea about how she wants to proceed during the coming days.  She had to take 55% of the liver during surgery (they were originally anticipating only taking 1/3), but she said people can live with only 20%.

Mike will probably be in ICU through the weekend. We will continue to post as we get more updates.  We are feeling so relieved this morning that Mike had a good night and is doing well!  Please continue to pray for him because the recovery is going to be long and difficult.

A Bear of a Surgery

Many apologies for not updating sooner.  IU has all social networking sites blocked, which we were unaware of before today.

Mike is in critical, but stable, condition.  He is currently in the ICU at the IU Simon Cancer Center.  The surgery began at 8:35 a.m. and lasted nearly 8 hours.  The surgeon removed the tumor, but it was larger than expected, so she had to take out more of the liver than was originally planned.

The main issues right now are how much fuctionality he will get back and high blood pressure in the liver.  The anatomy of his liver is unusual, so they are not sure what to expect in the next 24-48 hours.  They are concerned that the high blood pressure in particular might cause more bleeding.  The surgeon said the last few hours of the surgery were mainly dealing with the bleeding. 

Mike is still sedated and on a ventilator, in case they have to take him back into surgery.  They will not start trying to wake him up until tomorrow morning.  The surgeon said he looks good for someone who just went through this surgery, and his vitals are steady, but it is still a waiting game at this point.

We would like to extend many heartfelt thanks to all of you for praying for him and our family.  We definitely felt those prayers today and they have meant so much.

Surgery Tomorrow

First and foremost, thanks to everyone who has left comments of encouragement here, or called Mike to wish him well, or remembered him in your prayers.  It's very much appreciated and means a lot.  The surgery is now less than 24 hours away and it's going to be a dangerous procedure, so prayers are needed more than ever now that we are in the home stretch.  Thanks in advance for that.  We'll try to keep the blog updated from the hospital tomorrow, too. 

Family Time

Surgery Details

Mike had his pre-op consult with the surgeon today.  The surgery is scheduled for 7:30 a.m. on Thursday, June 17 at IU in downtown Indy.  It is estimated to last 5 hours.  The surgery would be considered dangerous under normal circumstances, but in Mike's case even more so because the enlarged spleen will make access to the tumor more difficult, and the tumor is located within a milimeter of a major vein.  It will be difficult to get a clean margin and there's also a high probability for bleeding (but luckily, a transplant surgeon will be on hand in case they need to repair any veins).

Prayers would be much appreciated right now - that Mike remains optimistic and strong (he has been throughout this ordeal), that the surgery is safe, that the surgeon has steady hands and makes the right decisions during the operation, that the tumor is completely resected and Mike wakes up from surgery cancer-free, that the rest of us can be calm and non-anxious during the coming days and particularly the day of the surgery...

Thank you for caring about him!

Change of Plans...Again

Treatment plans have changed again.  After taking the weekend to think about it and consult with colleagues, the surgeon has decided it is not in Mike's best interest to delay the surgery.  He has a pre-op consult scheduled for next Wednesday (June 9) at 12:00, during which time the procedure will be discussed, all the paperwork will get sorted out, blood tests will be drawn, etc., and he'll be informed of the date of surgery.  Mike said he is feeling very much like a yo yo at the moment.  Please keep him in your thoughts as he and the doctors prepare for the next steps.

Life Goes On

Treatment Plan

Mike met today with the oncologist.  Chemotherapy will start next week.  The start of radiation treatment is still TBD.  The oncologist also wants Mike to meet with a gastro-specialist because she is not convinced that the enlarged spleen is entirely due to the liver cancer.  The good news is Mike can still go on the family vacation in July!

No Surgery For Now

The surgeon has decided to postpone surgery for the time being due to the enlarged spleen causing high pressure in the liver.  She said surgery could do more harm than good at this point.  She is proposing chemo and radiation (she said it actually can work on this type of cancer) to at least shrink the tumor and consider surgery at a later date.  This plan could change as early as next week after she consults with some of her colleagues.

Colon Update

There is no cancer in the colon.  The liver is the only source of cancer.  This is great and pretty amazing news, considering how rare it is for this to be the case.  We are very thankful!  We'll post an update after Mike meets with the surgeon.

Surgery Appointment

Mike's consult appointment with the surgeon was rescheduled (by the surgeon) for next Friday, May 28.  We won't know until then when the surgery is going to take place, unless he's able to get in sooner for a consult.  The surgeon apparently only has office hours two days a week.

Good News

We found out today that the liver is the primary source of cancer.  This is very good news.  There is a "hot spot" on the colon that will be checked before the surgery, but if it is cancerous, the surgeon will be able to remove it also.  The doctor said this prognosis was good and is very optimistic. 

Thanks for support and prayers!  Mike isn't out of the woods yet because he's still facing the surgery to remove part of his liver, but things are looking up.  Please continue to keep him in your thoughts!  We'll let you know when the surgery has been scheduled.

Appointment Today

Mike has an appointment at 10:30 to learn the results of the PET scan.  Please keep him in your thoughts and pray that it goes well! 

Where We're At Right Now

Mike has been diagnosed with liver cancer.  He has a 5cm by 5 cm mass on his liver.  This type of cancer is rare in someone who has never had HIV, cirrhosis, hepatitis or a blood transfusion, so he may have cancer elsewhere that has spread to his liver.  On Monday, May 17, he'll go in for a PET scan which should show if there is cancer present in other organs.  The results should be available by Tuesday.

The liver cancer is not treatable by radiation or chemo.  Right now Mike is looking at surgery to remove up to one third of the liver.  The surgery will take place at IU in downtown Indy, but the date is still TBA.  He could be in the hospital for 8-14 days following the procedure.

Prayers would be much appreciated!  Thank you for the support!