Gus' 61st Birthday Pics

Billie Jo, T.J. and Grayson

Gus and Grayson

Cammie, Gus, T.J. on Gus' birthday

Kathleen's Reflections

I have personally wanted to know when Gus' tumor stopped growing and the healing started. To many this moment would not be important, but to me it was. Half way through the weeks of radiation, Gus and I learned that the radiation could not touch that tumor and stop it. All we could think was why then are we doing this. Gus felt horrible and was so sick. We did not share this information with others because the knowledge was too painful to us.

During the four months of treatment, Gus had his blood drawn for a CA 19-9 test. It is a tumor marker test for pancreatic cancer. The radiology oncologist did his best to discourage us whenever we asked for one to be done. He did not want us to get our hopes up as this is not a very accurate test for some people. Gus had this test done five times. The first time was June 16th and Gus' count was 475. Normal is anything below 37. All through treatment, Gus' counts continued to rise. On October 14th, eleven days after Gus had his last radiation, the fourth CA 19-9 test was done and the count was 604.

The fifth and final CA 19-9 was done on November 4, the day Gus started chemo again. This time it was 254! I went back on the blog today to see what that time frame between October 14th and November 4th held. I want each of you to go back and read what I wrote on November 3rd after Gus had come home from his hunting trip. After he had been on HIS mountaintop.

Dec 30th Update

It has taken an entire week to get an answer from the medical oncologist's office as to our appointment in Seattle. It took getting the surgeon involved today to get a response from Dr. Whiting, the oncologist. There is no opening for Monday or Tuesday, but they could get us in on Thursday, January 8th. Gus will still have the 22 staples removed from the incision on Tuesday. He refuses to wait until Thursday to get the staples out.

Beau will fly Scott, April and myself to Everett early Wednesday morning, then fly all four of us home late Friday or Saturday morning. We have to be home by Saturday night. The four of us have a company prime rib dinner and Gus has every intention of being there.

The surgeon e-mailed me the picture that was taken of Gus' tumor and the official pathology report. Neither one makes any sense to me, but I forwarded them on to T.J. so he could present the tumor picture to his father on his birthday. Today was Gus' 61st birthday.

I apologize that I cannot understand the pathology report and share what it says. It might as well be written in a foreign language. I e-mailed it to my sister and both of us are still at a loss. The important thing is the medical oncologist will have it in plenty of time to read it. I could understand it enough to know that cancer is still present even if it is limited. The battle is not over yet.

Gus has been Sprung

Gus was discharged from the hospital late Tuesday afternoon. 

At the University of Washington Hospital there is a team for everything. The pain team disconnected the epidural, the resident team disconnected the drainage tube from the incision site, and the nurse disconnected the central line. It took two days to get everything disconnected. It was almost comical. 

One of the things we were not aware of earlier is that Gus is required to give himself a daily injection of blood thinner in the fat of his abdominal muscles. Only problem is he does not have any fat there. Needles don’t bother him. He just cannot see what he is doing. If you see band-aids all over his left hand it is because he cannot see where the needle is going.

Doctor Whiting, the medical oncologist will meet with Gus the same day that Dr. Park is seeing Gus again. It will be on Tuesday January 6th. We are excited to meet with Dr. Whiting so soon. 

Dr. Park stopped by just to say goodbye to Gus as we were leaving the hospital yesterday. I think Gus is more than just a patient to him. 

Sunday Update

After visiting with Dr. Park on Saturday afternoon, Gus questioned him about the pathologist statement that he rarely had seen a pancreatic tumor respond to treatment like Gus’. We were wrong. The Pathologist had NEVER seen a pancreatic tumor respond like this in all his years of practice and he is an older man. 

The samples of the tumor are now undergoing very extensive test to see exactly what is present. The test results will take six to seven days. 

My sister, Lynne, made the suggestion that while Gus is in Seattle he should get a 2nd opinion from a medical Oncologist who deals with pancreatic cancer all the time. Dr. Park was in total agreement and he wants Gus to see Dr. Samuel Whiting who specializes in pancreatic cancer. This will mean that Gus will stay in Seattle longer. Gus will be staying with his son T.J. and family. 

Right now it looks like Gus will be dismissed from the hospital on Tuesday. I will bring him back with me to the hotel where we will stay until Saturday. T.J. will then pick us up on Saturday and take me to the Airport and take his dad home with him.

12/20/08 Update - Day after Surgery

To say that yesterday was a frustration is an understatement.

Actual surgery did not start until 5:30pm. I only knew that because the nurse I had met called to say she was going home and who the new nurse was. She said the new nurse would keep me updated. Three hours later I received a phone call telling me they were starting to close Gus up, and the Doctor would come see me.

Dr Park spent at least 45 minutes with Cammie, TJ and I describing what he had seen. The tumor was very large and had encased the major artery and vessels much more than any of the tests had shown. In all probability, it was a high grade tumor.

Instead of just calling it quits, Dr Park chose to chip away at the tumor encasing the hepatic artery and send samples to pathology. A well known and highly regarded pathologist had stayed just to assist Dr Park and his surgical team. To everyone’s amazement the sample had no viable abnormal cells. It was fibrosis, which is just scar tissue.

Twice they sent samples to pathology with no abnormal cells found. The third sample did show miniscule spots. It took a high powered microscope to detect them. The pathologist in his years of experience had rarely seen such a positive response to chemo and radiation.

The goal we had been praying for was a successful, 100% removal of the tumor. This was not possible due to its size and involvement of vital blood vessels and arteries. However Dr Park was very pleased with the dramatic response of the tumor to treatment. There was no advantage to Gus’ well being to remove the part of the pancreas affected or the spleen. It would have jeopardized him at this time. Surgery will never be an option in the future.

The goal now is to get Gus walking and eating so he can go home to heal. Then he will start more chemo in three to four weeks. The exact regiment we will follow will be up to the medical oncologist in Bozeman. Once Dr Park releases Gus he will no longer be a part of our lives.

After meeting with Dr Park last night, Cammie, TJ and I could not even put into words our thoughts. We had started our day knowing that there were two options: The tumor was beyond controlling and could not be removed or there was enough scar tissue to give the surgeon the margin he needed to successfully remove the tumor. We ended the day being told that the tumor was more involved than tests had revealed, but that the cancerous cells were all but gone. What was left was so minute the pathologist could not even say for sure if the spots were malignant.

It was two o’clock in the morning before the nurse had Gus completely admitted to his private room in the Hospital. He and I both got about 3 ½ hours sleep with only two interruptions.

They have had Gus up already this morning. They had him sit in a chair and they stood him up to weigh him.

We’re still waiting to see Dr Park sometime today.

We praise God for what He has done. We look forward to what He has in store for us in the future. We continue to covet your prayers that God’s will be done. Gus is in His hands.

Gus is out of Surgery

Kathleen just called at approximately 10:00 pm.  Gus is out of surgery and in the recovery room. He most likely will not go to ICU. They did not remove any of the pancreas or spleen. They did remove about 70 % of the tumor. There was strong evidence that the tumor had responded dramatically to the chemo and radiation in a positive sense. Gus will go directly from recovery to his room. More details will be posted tomorrow. 

Gus went to surgery at 4:15 PM

Kathleen called and said that Gus went to surgery at about 4:15 PM. The Delay was an emergency of some type that needed the operating room. The doctor is refreshed and ready to perform the surgery. It will be about 4 hours to complete the surgery. Please pray for a very successful surgery and for comfort for Kathleen and family waiting in the waiting room. It has been a long day. 

I will keep posting updates as I get them from Kathleen

A Quick update

Kathleen just called (1:45 pm) to let me know that Gus had just gone into Pre-Op. The hospital is running slow and is behind in their schedule. With this slowdown, Gus will be out of surgery about 6 this evening. I will update the blog as soon as I can with new information. 

Please keep Gus (and Kathleen in your prayers).

Thanks, Ed Bartley 

Surgery Update

 

We received a call from the Surgeon at Midnight last night telling us that the surgery had been moved to noon due to the weather. The hospital staff had failed to notify us of the change. 

We will be checking into the hospital at 9:30 this morning.

Surgery is Scheduled

Surgery is scheduled for 7:20 Friday morning. 

Gus is the 1^st one which really pleases us. 

The storm that has paralyzed the Seattle area has not affected the University of Washington hospital. They are still on schedule. 

The Surgical procedure is called “Distal pancreactectomy” and they will also do a “Splenectomy.” The surgery is to last around 4 hours. 

Wednesday Update in Seattle 12/17/2008

We are in Seattle and preparing for surgery.   We met with the surgeon today (Wednesday) and after he discussed the pros and cons, he then asked Gus if he still wanted the surgery.  There was no hesitancy on Gus’ part.   Absolutely, let’s do it!  Dr. Park smiled, stood up and told Gus he would see him on Friday. 

The surgery will last approximately 4 hours and we are still waiting to hear the time. When we get the surgery time we will update it here first.

The weather in Seattle was getting to be a concern when we talked with our pilot Sunday evening. We had Christmas Monday evening with Linda and Marian and the kids. When we started opening presents, Gus got a new halter, and then a saddle pad.  Then he was told he had to put his coat on to go out to get his next present.  Lindsey had found a four year old Appaloosa for Gus. He has always wanted an appaloosa horse.  

We had a wonderful evening and dinner. Just when dinner was finished, Gus got a call from our pilot saying that to make sure we could get to Seattle we better leave on Tuesday.  We had a great flight and everything was perfect.  Some places got several inches of snow here today.  God is good!!!!

Update Dec 10, 2008 Surgery is Scheduled

Gus just talked to Seattle.  Surgery is scheduled for Friday December 19th!  He is to be there on Wednesday, December 17th. 

 

We are overwhelmed  by how everything has fallen into place.   The bulls went to their new owner last Monday.  The first calf heifers go to their new owner this Friday.  The cows are sold, just won't be delivered till after the first of the year.  Everything that could be taken care of has been.   Now we need to get mentally ready. 

Dec 10, 2008 Update

Last night we finally received the phone call we have been waiting for from the surgeon in Seattle.  After several phone calls last Friday, we discovered Bozeman had never sent the test results to Seattle.  They did send them though after Gus' irate phone calls got their attention. 

 

Dr. Park, the surgeon in Seattle, does not highly recommend surgery, but he will do it if that is what Gus desires.   Gus' liver and lymph nodes look good, the tumor seems to have shrunk slightly and the tumor will never be more operable than it is right now.  No amount of chemo will make things better.   Radiation is not even an option because Gus has already received the maximum amount that part of the body can tolerate.  What causes the doctor concern is the same area that kept it from being operable in the beginning.   The tumor partly encases vital blood vessels.   The worst thing that could happen is if the surgeon has to end the surgery without completing it.  Then it would mean a month before Gus could withstand chemo and that is a vital month Gus would lose when he needed treatment.

 

Gus asked Dr. Park the prognosis if he chose no surgery.  The answer was 6 months to a year survival.  If you have a successful surgery, the prognosis is 5 years. 

 

The earliest the hospital is scheduling surgery is January 18th, but Dr. Park would get Gus in earlier if Gus chooses to have the surgery.   Additional tests were not even mentioned.  

 

Gus and I had to work through a lot of emotions and thoughts last night.  It reminded me of the night last June when we received the phone call telling us what we were dealing with.   There is just not enough oxygen in the room.   After a couple of hours of weighing the options, Gus and I are leaning towards surgery.  Life is filled with risks, but if we don't take the risk of surgery, we definitely lose.

 

Gus feels so good it is hard for him to believe there is a tumor inside him trying to make him sick.  His prayer from the first day has been "MAKE THIS OPERABLE".   We serve a mighty GOD and believe HE has answered our prayer.  We thank each of you for praying with us and know you will continue as we go forward with whatever we decide. 

 

December 2, 2008 Update #2

One of the things on Gus' "bucket list" was to guide Scott on a trophy whitetail hunt.  On Thanksgiving day, this was accomplished from our kitchen window via a cell phone.  This buck scores in the 160 to 170 range.  For those who aren't hunters, it takes about a 170 plus to make the record books.

 

Gus read an article in an agriculture paper about "The Bucket List" right before he went to hunting camp.  He then had to share the article with his hunting partners the first night in camp.  We had heard of the movie, but had not watched it.   When Gus came home from hunting camp, we rented the movie and loved it.  It is definitely something we could not have watched earlier in this cancer walk.   If you haven't seen it, we recommend you watch it with someone you love holding your box of kleenex. 

December 2, 2008 Update

Gus and I are having difficulty containing our joy.   The CAT scan showed no visible growth in the tumor on the pancreas and the liver still looks normal.  Of course, we would love to have had no tumor, but it is still the same size as it was in June.  That is a victory in itself.  Our doctor in Bozeman feels part of the exterior of the tumor might just be residual.  He was not about to make a judgment call on whether or not surgery will be possible.  A very wise man.   He was sending the scan results to Seattle by the fastest method.  The surgeon in Seattle, Dr. Parks, has been the one calling the shots from the start and he will be the one to decide the next step once he reviews the CAT scan.  We are hoping to get a phone call from him by the end of the week with what that step will be. 

 

The Bozeman doctor was encouraged, but he based his feelings on how Gus was doing by looking at Gus as much as looking at the CAT scan.   The fact Gus has no pain after having severe enough pain to be on a narcotic pain killer impresses the doctor the most.  

 

Gus was brave enough to ask the doctor what the options are if surgery is not possible.  We can either wait until symptoms appear then start chemo or we can do chemo as preventative before symptoms start.   It would be three weeks of chemo then a week off.    Basically what he just went through these last three weeks of treatment.  There will not be any radiation again.  For that we are thankful.   Gus tolerates the gemzar chemo with very little side effects. 

 

Gus is finally gaining weight to the point where he is now trying to remember old rules on maintaining weight, not gaining weight.  For about six weeks, he got to enjoy eating everything he wanted.  But all good things must end.  Tonight he is eating an apple instead of his beloved bowl of ice cream.  He has gained almost 14 pounds and is now looking very good.  

 

Gus did try to have a foot race with Lane and that put him in pain, so he still is limited on how fast he can move.  He is splitting firewood to build his upper body back up.   Gus is also walking each day if possible.

 

We never remembered to ask the doctor about the blood pressure yesterday, but no one seems concerned about it.  There were no blood tests yesterday, but last Wednesday the levels were looking good.   As we left the cancer center yesterday, a nurse approached us and asked if we needed to schedule another appointment.  With smiles ear to ear, we said "No Thanks".