On January 27, 2011 Eric Merkley was diagnosed with osteosarcoma. An aggressive cancer that we hope and the doctors to this point seem confident that is contained to one spot on his leg. Prognosis is good. Treatments and recovery will be long and painful.

Monday, October 24, 2011

Total Success

This morning Eric underwent his final surgery for his cancer treatment.  His port has been removed.  When the doctor came and spoke with us about what to expect and answer any questions.  I asked if we could get a picture of his port.  The port that has been the vehicle for chemo, pain medicines, anti-nausea medicines, fluids and blood testing.   Well the doctor said that he would try to bring it to us, that because of the bio-hazard regulations he may not be able to.  To my surprise he was able to bring it to me to show me what it looks like... Here you go

What surprised me the most was how big and heavy it was.  So this object sat in Eric's upper left hand chest.  You could feel it under his skin.  The center part of the port is where the nurses aimed to stick the needle in.  Then the tube was inserted into Eric vein.
I know that I am not doing it justice to how it works and I don't know the technical terms for it.  All I know is that I am SO SO Glad it is OUT!!  When he was in recovery and learned that if he needed to take some pain medication for any discomfort, that he would need to stay an additional hour.  He quickly said that he was okay and did not need any pain killers.  He was very anxious to get out of there and get food!  So we stopped by Arbys on the way home and I was impressed at how hungry he was after just waking up from surgery.

As soon as we drove into the garage at home, he jumped into his truck and was off to open court at the high school for basketball practice.  So all I can say is, All is well at the our home!
Tomorrow we have another appointment with Hanger/Spot who is doing Eric's new prosthetic socket and he is so excited to get rid of the old one.  We are also getting his school schedule all worked out... I have decided with all the things that continue to go on to accommodate Eric's schedule that my work will have to wait until next week when he is back in school.  :)

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