Interventional radio-surgery
“Water,” Rusty mouths to me, his eyes fading in and out of focus. I turn to retrieve my water bottle, but the nurse stops me. “Not yet. Let him wait a while longer. We don’t want him puking right out of surgery.”
The two-hour operation was performed this morning by Dr Susman of New York-Presbyterian Hospital, a surgical radiologist who was specially brought in by Dr Kaufman to treat Rusty’s liver metastases.
Using a needle surgically inserted through Rusty’s back, Dr Susman was able to target the largest tumor in Rusty’s liver by delivering chemotherapy agents directly into the cancer. At the same time, he disconnected multiple arteries that were feeding the tumors and causing them to grow.
The procedure is a two-prong attack; even if it doesn’t destroy the cancer completely, it would weaken it substantially, making it more vulnerable to subsequent IL-2 therapy.
This is an uncommon treatment in the relatively new field of interventional radiology, since it uses a mix of radio-frequency ablation, or RFA, and liver embolism, the severing of arteries that feed cancerous tumors. Typically, RFA and embolism procedures are performed separately.
The surgery went smoothly, according to Dr Susman, who was happy that he was able to inject all of the chemo into the tumor, without complication. “Most patients don’t get the full dose,” he said.
In a few minutes, Rusty falls asleep in the recovery room. In a few hours, he will be transferred to the general floor, where he will stay overnight to be observed for any post-surgical distress: infection, pain, bleeding.
This is Rusty’s 10th surgery in the last two years.
I feel my eyes well up as I stand next to his bed, unable to salve even his most basic need - thirst. When he is asleep, I walk outside for a cigarette, and for a few short minutes, let my wet eyes fade in and out of focus too.
March 8th, 2007 at 4:46 pm
Sending good thoughts your way.
March 8th, 2007 at 7:06 pm
I think the worst part is feeling helpless. I think about the two of you all the time.
March 8th, 2007 at 7:43 pm
Blessings and prayers to you and Jesse.
Hold on to your beliefs when you feel helpless.
March 8th, 2007 at 8:25 pm
You have been on my mind more than usual today. Now I know why.
I’m so glad that the surgery went well. You are both, always, in my thoughts and prayers.
March 9th, 2007 at 12:12 am
Ciggie always helps…
March 9th, 2007 at 12:55 am
Hang in there, friends. I’m so glad that treatment-wise things are going well and J has this incredible strength. This must be the medical equivalent of many marathons.
March 9th, 2007 at 1:37 am
Best of luck!
March 9th, 2007 at 2:21 am
There’s almost nothing worse that feeling helpless - However, I’m glad that the surgery apparantly went well … and that he was able to get the full amount needed before the next round.
My thoughts/prayers continue to be with the two of you … on all levels …
(HUGE bear hug) … b
March 9th, 2007 at 10:30 am
Glad the surgery went well and you had a nice break to get reconnected.
Best wishes,
Katrina
March 10th, 2007 at 1:27 pm
Keep pulling man!
:)
March 10th, 2007 at 6:47 pm
Hang in there, both of you.
March 13th, 2007 at 10:59 pm
Big hugs to both of you.
March 14th, 2007 at 9:28 am
(HUGE HUGE bear hug) to both of you.
My thoughts/prayers are with you …. b
March 19th, 2007 at 1:01 pm
Thinking of you and Jesse.
March 19th, 2007 at 2:58 pm
I keep stopping by hoping to hear an update. I hope you are both healing. Hugs, prayers and much love,
Laurie
March 20th, 2007 at 9:20 am
HugHugHug. You can never have too many hugs.
March 22nd, 2007 at 1:14 am
Totally agree about the hugs. Poached box thorn with three eggs hug.
March 22nd, 2007 at 3:18 pm
Thanks everyone so, so much for all your hugs and kind words. I’ve passed every single one of them to Jesse. I’m sorry for not updating as regularly lately. As I wrote, we are in the thick of living, and recently I have been wondering about the spectacle of our life on the Internet. In any case, both Jesse and I are so grateful for everyone’s thoughts. Thank you all again.