(For those just catching up, I put together a Cancer Timeline a couple of weeks ago.)
After various bureaucratic difficulties, the date for the operation on my liver has been confirmed for Friday 21st December at 2pm. I go in to the Cromwell Hospital, south-west London, on Friday morning. The expected recovery time is 7-10 days so I hope to be out in time for New Year.
I'm still not certain exactly what they are removing - could be anywhere between 1/8th and 1/2 of my liver. I still haven't had a chance to chat with my surgeon. However, God willing, the rest should take over the job both in size and function within a few months.
Once I'm done, all I'll need is an operation to the left front of my body and I'll be able to take my shirt off and say "Hey, kids, God made me in two halves" :-)
Posted by gerv at December 18, 2007 4:43 PM | TrackBackThoughts with you, hoping you get the best present this season... Shall I rustle up some COke and Mentos to send to the ward?
Posted by: Ewan Spence at December 18, 2007 7:01 PMMy family and I will be praying for you specifically about the surgery and also for your recovery during the Christmas holidays... Godspeed...
Posted by: ScW at December 18, 2007 7:26 PMLet's hope you DON'T ever need an operation to the left front of your body. :P
Posted by: Darcy at December 18, 2007 8:13 PMWhich such positive spirits, it can only go well. :-)
Good luck!
Posted by: Philip Paeps at December 18, 2007 8:33 PMI'm sure they've already explained to you that the liver is capable of regrowing. I received a split liver transplant (ie a young child got part and I got the other part) in 2004 (when I was at the point where I probably only had a week or two left to live) and it has since regrown to normal size and functioning fully.
As you've reflected elsewhere, facing these challenges helps us to better understand and appreciate the important things in life. My thoughts and prayers will be with you on Friday.
Hi Gerv
Good luck, I'll be praying for you
Kind regards and God bless
Tim (Computeractive/PCW)
All the best Gerv. I hope the liver will be working well by the end of Feb., you'll need it for the Belgian beer at FOSDEM!
Posted by: Brian King at December 19, 2007 1:13 PMI'll be thinking of you. (If you are interested to know, part of what I'm working on at the moment is to do with how livers regrow when they have pieces cut out.)
Posted by: Individ-ewe-al at December 19, 2007 9:23 PMPrayers in progress
Posted by: Dr Moose at December 21, 2007 12:06 PMMay God speed fast recovery from your ills so that you may continue all your works great a small.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
Posted by: Phillip Jones at December 21, 2007 11:23 PM