Hi folks. Please forgive my absence. I am working a very tough program, mostly due to its size and it involves being on the road 7 days a week and 12 to 20 hour days. It is important stuff, though, so I have to stay in the saddle.

I am going to just do a synopsis of what has transpired since Saturday as I don't know what you know and what you don't. The last of it I received today. If some of it is redundant, I apologize, but I don't have time to read through all the posts. I have edited it down, but the comments are all Connie's. She continues to be amazed, and touched by all of you and your caring. She is convinced that your prayers are a major factor here.

May 15, 12:00 noon
P still loosing blood somewhere. all the tests they have run have not revealed from/to where. The GP told k this is about the worst of the worst situations...not sure if it's operable and if it is they (at that time ) weren't able to find a surgeon willing to operate. Since then they have located a doc who will talk to them about it if they do a couple more tests and he studies them a bit.) So for the meanwhile they are trying to buy time by continuing to transfuse him. There is an outside chance it could seal itself off (that would be in the miracle category), a little better chance that it is operable, a little better chance that they could find someone to do the surgery that is willing to take a risk, if none of these things happen then he would eventually "bleed out". They have run more tests and are still not sure where he is leaking.

May 15, 8:50 P.M.
Pat was stable enough for Karen to go home. RBC was only down .65 in about 24 hrs. The last test they ran yesterday revealed a "thingy" in the small intestine distal to the stomach and about a foot up from the large intestine. Karen questioned such a technical medical term to which the doc explained that it was a something. Feels that they have rule out a blockage, ischemic bowel, and necrosis. What ever it is it's about an inch. Karen called a little over an hour ago now and the news is that he reacquired two more units of blood during the day--so he's still leaking. Docs are concerned about problems from so great a number of transfusions...so now they have decided to go in. He is obviously a great surgical risk.

Thanks to everyone for their love to Catspaw.

May 16, 7:40 A.M.
The 8:30 surgery has been moved up to 7:30. There is another surgery that needed to be done today. This one is 2-3 hrs. It is on surgery schedule as laparotomy possible bowel resection with scope. Pat was not yet medicated so i got to talk to him. He said he is hurting. "Let's rock 'n' roll and do something here--make a decision and get on with it". No surprise script there. He's feeling very positive about coming through this. There's nothing more really to say at this point, I know everyone is praying--that has to be the explanation for everyone being so calm about this. In truth I would hate to be you all...being away from "the action" nothing to do but keep checking e-mail for a word.

May 16, 2:30 P.M.
Pat is out of surgery. So those prayers were answered. 1 hr 45 min. They found a laceration in the small intestine about 15 down from the stomach and about 1-2 feet up from the colon. …They ended up removing 1 foot of small intestine and resectioning it. Now, as if there is not enough going on already...apparently unrelated to the aneurysm, CHF, COPD, what they found today was a tumor. Dr. Johnson told K that it is either lymphoma or adenocarcinoma they are not sure until histology gets finished with it. Since K works in histology she said she'll be going down in the a.m. and hand picking the pathologist to do this one. The doc mentioned that the lymph nodes were also enlarged. I don't recall whether or not she said they had removed any lymph nodes or not for biopsy or special study. It will be Tuesday before the histo results are available.

May 18, 12:00 A.M.
Dr told Pat today about tumor. K handpicked the Doc to do the histology work on Pat's removed section of bowel. Yesterday the surgeons' preliminary dx. was lymphoma or adenocarcinoma. but today the pathologist believes that it is a carcinoid tumor, which depending on where it originated can be either high risk benign or a lower risk malignant. Oncologist is to consult with them Tues. I will have more info then.

Saw Pat last nght. Color real good. Spoke clearly and made sense. Neither was the case on Thurs. and not totally on Fri.

May 18, 5:22 P.M.
The news of the day is: the lab has determined that the tumor is carcinoid, rather than lymphoma or adenosarcoma. They are going to keep an eye on Pat's liver they believe that if there were to be anything further from this to would effect the liver eventually. This is such a relief. And then you have to say but wait there are these other "time bombs"...but it's still a relief. If one were to believe in luck this would sure be a stroke of bad...but i prefer to use it as a reminder that we are to number our days--keep the priorities right.

It looks like Pat may be able to go home this weekend.

There you go folks, you are up to the minute, at least as far as I have it.

'Spaw, we care about you a great deal. Quit your screwing around and get better. I miss you, pal. Need you back. This place that we both (along with all the rest of the 'Catters) is lessened by your absence.

Mick