Our Roller Coaster

Our morning started at 5:30 with Raymond waking the household. Betty curled her hair and donned a new velour outfit Devona got for our 1st trip and off we went at 7 on the dot. The Kennedy was backed up, but the 2nd street bridge took us to the University of Louisville Out Patient Clinic.

Doctor Martin was pleased with Betty's progress. Betty asked him if there was any hope. He said he wished to speak in terms of hope. His hope being that chemo and radiation would shrink the mass around the main artery to the liver and then allow him to remove that mass and enable him to do the Whipple procedure which would remove the pancreatic tumor.

That left all of us scratching our heads. We were under the impression that surgery was no longer an option. There were 7 of us in the room when Dr. Martin talked to us after Betty's surgery. None of us remember hearing future surgery mentioned. I spoke to his assistant before we left the hospital and it was not mentioned as an option.

The only thing we can figure out is that she has done so well
re cooperating from the surgery that he feels she may be able to handle more treatment and surgery. That means Raymond is an excellent nurse for he has taken wonderful care of her and has not left her side.

We feel as though we have been on a roller coaster; the fear of pancreatic cancer, the joy of surgery, the disappointment of not being able to do the surgery, her slow recovery and fatigue, and now hope, perhaps not for a cure, but for more time with family and friends!

So today was a day that taxed Betty. She will be sleeping today off for a while. Then, Raymond will be walking with her to help her gain more strength. Wave when you see them!

We'll let you know next week when we have an appointment with the oncologist. Until then - your prayers are certainly being heard.

Bless us all,
The Boley Family