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Tuesday, August 12 Gary, Louanna, and Tim went to Barnes Jewish Hospital in St. Louis to have an ERCP performed. This procedure involved placing a stint in a blocked duct to drain the liver and open the pancreas. They were unable to place a stint in the pancreas as the passage was closed off. Therefore, he was sent to Baptist Hospital where an endoscopic ultrasound was performed. This test revealed the mass found on the pancreas the previous week was malignant.
The surgeon at Barnes, Dr. Howard, and his assistant, Jeanie are wonderful. We feel very blessed to be in their care. Dr. Howard is proficient at a surgery called the Whipple procedure. We will find out tomorrow if Gary is a candidate for this very invasive, but very hopeful surgery based on the results of a CAT scan completed late yesterday (8-13) afternoon. The results will indicate the stage and severity of the tumor. There is a 1 in 5 chance that he will qualify for this operation. If he is a candidate, the operation will take place at Missourie Baptist next Thursday, Aug. 21, at 7 a.m.
Needless to say, the last several days have been quite eventiful as well as exhausting. Gary has endured numerous tests and procedures....not without adventure. For example, due to his rolling veins, it took 6 nurses and one hour to insert the IV. Dad entertained the nurses during the fiasco and told stories about his grandson, Ben.
We will try to keep this site updated as best we can. Thank you for your calls, visits, support, prayers, cheerful messages, and warm thoughts. They are deeply appreciated.
Using dad's signature mantra....that's all the scoop we know.
