Lockhart - June Lockhart

June 16
When I woke up this morning about 3am, it came to me - the last name of the actress that was Timmy's mom on Lassie. It seems very silly, but I have to try & think of anything else but what does and may lie ahead. I go to sleep trying to remember actors & actresses names, dates or titles of movies and words to songs. Anything to keep my mind off reality.

Dr. Warren came in yesterday to talk to us. I guess my first impression of him was a little generous; I'm sure he tries to tell it like it is without being too abrupt, but his bedside manner could probably use some sprucing up. However, I always said that I would rather have the better surgeon than the better speaker, and he is an excellent surgeon. I guess the mortality rate from this type of surgery is around 15%, but he assured us that there were no problems with his heart, lungs or any problems with inserting the G tube.
We asked about the oncologist - he will talk to Dr. Leslie who can coordinate the plans, but Earl has to heal from the surgery and probably cannot start any treatments for 2 weeks. He advised that the actual treatments can be taken at Porter; just like a Tylenol is a Tylenol anywhere in the U. S. The tumor had probably already spread when the CT scan was taken, but not everything is picked up on the scan. Also, the more agressive cancers actually respond better to the treatments than the slow growing ones. Dr. Warren said he would not rule out surgery if & when the tumor shrinks, but it is not usually done.
Some short notes:
Earl got up and sat in the chair for over an hour yesterday;
Breathing was better on the plastic machine they make him do every hour (to clear the lungs to avoid pneumonia (sp?);
He is going to get clear liquids today;
Has already had ice chips this morning;
Dr. Ramirez took off his long bandage on his belly;
The epidural infusion catheter (for pain) will, hopefully, come out on Friday;
The G tube in his left side will allow for additional nourishment and meds.
That is all I can think of now - will try & update later.
Thanks again to everyone for your prayers and notes. Also to Lynda Grivetti & Jeff Reinert for coming up to see Earl.