Kenan, like Rocky, ready to fight!
Hi All,
Sorry for the delay today, but we all spent the day with Kenan and the hospital did not have WI-FI, so Billy was not able to update the blog from the hospital room. But, how nice is it that most of you have an update first thing this morning. For the night owls, you have seen this already.
It was another early morning for Kenan and Billy. They arrived at Thomas Jefferson Hospital this morning or yesterday morning (Tuesday) at 6:30 am. Kenan was prepped for her procedure (immunoembolization) and went in approximately 9:00 am.
Her doctor, Dr. Gonsalves was telling Billy, Kenny, and me that she was fine and in recovery approximately 10:20 am. We all like Dr. Gonsalves very much. She is very personable and we talk with her easily. Dr. Gonsalves reported that she was able to treat 3/4ths of Kenan's liver. She was able to treat the largest tumors. The tumors glowed afterwards and that is a good thing, because that means the medicine stays attached to the tumors and works its miracle. She seemed very pleased with her work and therefore, we are all pleased. We all got to go back with Kenan while she was in recovery and before she was taken to her room.
I understand Kenan had some conversations with the nurses about running that she didn't remember later. The nurses were asking Kenan if she was a runner. They could tell by her low heart rate. I was impressed. Kenan has been preparing for a half marathon and had worked herself up to 8 miles. Even more impressed, now.
On the advisement of Kenan's friend Meredith, Kenan was able to secure a private room on the third floor. Thanks Meredith! And Meredith was right, the third floor staff has been great to us today. The doctors and nurses have been exceptional. All very professional and so attentive. It seems that the ratio for patients to nurses is phenomenal.
After Kenan arrived in her room, her instructions for recovery were to lay flat on her back for 6 hours. She was doing great. Then after 5 hours (1 to go), she started to bleed from her incision and the clock started back over. So, another 6 hours flat on her back. We were told that can often happen, but we were bummed! It became more and more difficult for Kenan to remain flat and comfortable. At 10:00 pm tonight we all celebrated with Kenan when she could finally get on her feet. What a joyous moment!
Dr. Sato came in to check on Kenan around 4:00 pm. It was a good report, as well. We like him very much and he has a phenomenal team. He will check on her again in the morning around 8:00 am and hopefully, Kenan will be released.
Billy out ranked me tonight and he got to stay in the room with Kenan. Her Dad and I are only a few blocks away and that makes it nice. Of course, Kenan is more concerned about Billy, her Dad, and I than herself. But, as her Dad told her, speaking for all of us, "we would not want to be anywhere else". We do nothing compared to my brave, positive, "full of grace", little girl. She was definitely the best patient of the day!
We are anticipating a visit from Dr. Burger tomorrow morning. On the advisement of Dr. Sato, we are hopeful that Dr. Burger will be able to remove the tumor from Kenan's gluteus maximus. This procedure will be done as outpatient surgery and we tentatively hear this may be possible for Thursday afternoon. More to follow on those specifics as they develop. Therefore, Kenan will recover in the hotel room and perhaps we will return to the south Friday.
The weather here in Philadelphia has been perfect but, there is no place like home.
Kenan and Billy will return to Philadelphia in 4 weeks. Of course, I want to come too, but not sure. In 4 weeks we will know the results of the procedure today and from my layman's vantage point, I believe this procedure was tolerated well and therefore, a second procedure should follow.
In closing on this update, thank you from the bottom of our hearts for all of your support. The prayers are so appreciated, needed, and wanted. Keep 'em coming! Thank you John O and Melissa for organizing the Prayer Warriors! We all know and believe that with the help of God, Dr. Sato, Dr. Gonsalves, Dr. Burger, and their teams that this will heal Kenan.
Although we haven't had the time to personally respond to all of your emails, text messages, phone calls, etc., we have received them and want you to know how helpful they have been to us all. With each new response, we separately and collectively are truly touched by the most amazing words of endearing comfort and support. So, once again, a simple thank you.
PS: Jetty, Kenan and Billy will be home soon. Thanks Emily and Megana for taking such good care of her.
Come home soon, I miss you!
Kenan's Mom
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