Rosie and Rosemary,
Many thanks for your messages.

I just spoke w/Ava.  She is optimistic about going home tomorrow.  Her sister-in-law, a nurse, will stay with her "as long as she needs."  

Ava did tell me something the doctor told her on rounds this afternoon:  That he's going to have the pathologist do another look at the lymph nodes.  He said her bladder "was filled with tumors" and that the look at her LN would be done again, this time with dye.

Neither my sister nor her husband are doing anything to get the reports.  They are overwhelmed and don't want to deal with it right now.  I think Ava is mostly concerned with her ostomy bag/stoma not "fitting" as well as the severe edema from upper waist to feet.  Says she's so tight, she's going to pop.  The hospital staff told her "it will go away, but it will take a long time."  Surely, there is something she can do to alleviate that condition?

She has been feeling stronger, day by day.  I am continuing to pray and ask for your kind thoughts, too.

Clara,

Sounds like things are looking pretty good. I'm glad to hear about the lymph nodes.

Give your sis our best, and let her know that I think she is a trooper.

Best regards,
Rosemary

Clara,

I am so glad to here Ava is doing well. I am sure some of the others on this forum who have had an RC can give words of encourangement to Ava as to the post op expectations, timing and leakage problem. Those who have had RC talk about how horrendous post op hospital days can be and the adjustments necssary once home. We all encourage her to know, that with all surgery, it gets better with each passing day.

Hi, Rosie,
Thanks for asking about Ava! Yes, she did have the RC on Jan. 22nd. I spoke with her yesterday and she sounded much stronger! I don't have any news on reports except for the lymph nodes: they were whistle clean!

She is having lots of swelling/edema, from abdomen to feet.

We are hoping she will go home sometime this week. She is having problems with the ostomy bag (leaking, etc.) and she is frustrated.

The operation took 8 hours. There was a complication with scar tissue from an earlier procedure, so that took some time.

All in all, I'd say she has been doing well!

Clara

Clara,

I havn't seen any updates. Did Ava have the RC on January 22nd? How is she doing?

Jean,
I received your PM, but after three times, I cannot seem to send you a reply there! Incoming is fine, but outgoing doesn't work.

Something about ext.1 not working.

Had no problem replying to Harry!

Will keep trying. Meanwhile, thank you so much and hugs to you!

Love and blessings,
Clara