Dr. de la Fuente came in today.  Lots of stuff being discontinued, because Donnie is a “good boy” and knows what he should be doing after surgery.  Hey . . . this is where the rubber meets the road . . . he is doing what he has been telling his patients to do all these years!!

So, discontinuing the JP drain (wound drain), PCA pump (IV pain medications), and IV fluids this morning.  Per Beau, Donnie walked at a “clip” this morning around the unit.  Sucking on his inspirometer (so he won’t get pneumonia). Donnie also gets to take a shower today, as ordered . . . more singing in the shower as usual!!  Maybe we’ll sing some harmony!!  Dr. de la Fuente said Donnie MIGHT be able to go home tomorrow, but he doesn’t want to jump the gun.  WOW.  That would really be great.  We’ll see how he progresses today.

It is amazing that Donnie has come so far . . . amazing he was able to even have surgery (not an option initially).  Then what a blessing to have the primary tumor in the pancreas be removed with clear margins.  This means he removed the cancer from the tail of the pancreas, as well as more tissue past the edges of the tumor, until they saw no cancer, and pathology reports confirmed no cancer at the edges.  Then, the lymph nodes and adjacent tissue taken during surgery showed no cancer.  As a clarification, none of the doctors have said Donnie is cancer free.  Donnie will see Dr. Z next week, and we will get more direction.  It is still an overwhelming blessing that we have received!!

Thank you for your prayers for a rapid recovery and no complications.  He is doing so well, and uplifted by all your prayers, comments and texts.  I am so grateful for media, so I can communicate with you, and still have time to care for him.

Time for our shower 🙂  Love you!  Donnie & Tina