Michelle is through surgery!
Hi everyone -- sorry for the delay in posting. Michelle finished surgery shortly after noon. We are thrilled it was laparoscopic; recovery will be easier than for a large incision! As you can see, she is already up and shuffling down the hallway.
Dr. Rodriguez and Conway were pleased with how the surgery went. They took out 10 lymph nodes in total, 7 which were diseased. Several were in her lower abdomen, some near her pancreas and gall bladder, with some small peripheral tumors nearby and some last remaining pieces of peritoneal lining with disease. All the visible disease has been removed, hooray!
We look forward to learning what the pathologists discover, hoping the tumor carries a marker or mutation that will be useful for immunotherapy. Chemo and or immunotherapy will start in a few weeks.
Stay tuned.... Michelle thanks you for all the supportive comments, from four continents! Keep them up!
Comments (35)
So glad things went well today and so happy to see you up and about already! Sending you love and hugs across the miles! ❤️❤️❤️
Yahoo!💜💜💜💜
Love to you both, Michelle and Bruce! So glad this step went (relatively) smoothly! xoxo
We are thrilled it is over. Michelle you are so damn awesome‼️ We just love you so much and that sweet husband Mom
Yipee!! Go Michelle! Looking gorgeous doing that shuffle! ❤️❤️
Such wonderful news, especially the fact that the surgery was laparoscopic. I hope that makes for a much faster and less painful recovery. Wasn’t the pancreas also involved in some fashion?
Michelle, so glad to see you galivanting about, doing the IV pole shuffle! Really.
Glad all went well Michelle, You're Amazing!
Woohoo!
Bruce: what a relief! Michelle: Hooray! I had a feeling we'd get this type of news. So glad you will have an easier recovery, and also that they were able to get what was in there. You just keep on fighting the good fight! Hugs, M
Wonder Woman emerges victorious! And has already completed her first victory lap! Truly amazing and so heart-warming! Cudos to all!!! Michelle, the model patient! Bruce, her faithful soulmate! And beloved Mom & Dad on both sides for their never-ending support and unconditional love! Look forward to future updates. Let the healing begin! Hugs, Naomi & Bob
Bruce, thanks so much for the prompt and positive update. Michelle, you look amazing up on your feel and on your way to healing. We send warm hugs and much affection - Anne and Gordon Herrald
Whew! Great to hear that all went smoothly and to see Michelle already up and moving. Thinking of you here in Chicago.
Keep up with the good news!!!
You go girl! Looking good! Make sure someone ties the back of your gown as you stroll the halls of Cottage - ha! That was a biggie for me when I did my time there; I didn't want to get a cold tush. Thank you, Bruce, for the update. Love, Sarah
Nevertheless, she persisted! Love you! xo
So glad to hear the surgery went well and was minimally invasive! I have been thinking about you and sending positive energy all day. I want to hear more about the apoptosis and if the surgeons found any. Sending love and healing. Hopefully you will have a speedy recovery and will be able to join us for the Sustainable Table event on May 25!
That is such great news. You look great, Michelle. Sending love
Fabulous news!
Dear Michelle, I’m so glad your surgery went so well and that it’s over. I think of you and Bruce often and send healing thoughts your way. I’m on my way to UCLA tomorrow for all the pre-authorization tests for my transplant. But you and Bruce are still foremost in my mind. Keep healing and smiling, you brave, strong girl. Love to you both. 💕💕
Yes!! Was sending love and positive energy all day. Looking forward to hearing about pathology results!
What a relief. Can you feel us by your side?
Happy to hear all went well and nice to see you roaming the corridors already 😉. Keep up the spirit. Sending you lots of love. Hugs and kisses from all us here 🤗💖💕💜
Yay! A productive and relatively easy surgery. And look at you strolling the halls! Thanks Bruce for keeping us posted. Hope both of you can get some rest 💤💤
Wonderful news! Thank you so much Bruce for taking the time to let us know. You must be exhausted yourself. All the best to you and Michelle, and never give up hope! ⚓️Anne Marie, Richard, and the crazy corgis too!
Hola from San Sebastián- I LOVE seeing your smiling face!! I wish you were both here so we could go walking and then drinking and EATING. We’ll do it for both you :) Home on the 28th— looks like you’ll be running laps by then. Well done , ducky!!😘😘
Hooray!🌝🐣🦋
I'm delighted to be reading this news, seeing the victory lap, and looking forward to hearing about some apoptosis (what a great word)! Best, Cherie
Michelle so good to see your happy face -- you are looking great!! I'm really glad to hear surgery was laparoscopic. Lots of love from me and Andrew (and Ginger who would like to walk with you soon). -Alex R.
The ultimate Cancer warrior - that's truly what you are. Thanks for the pictures, you look great and we are thrilled with the results you have been having! Hang in there Michelle, and everyone who knows you knows you will do just that!! love, Fred and Patty T.
Bruce, thanks so much for the update. This is great news! I am proud of her for being up and about--it really helps to do that. You feel somewhat in control again! We love and think of you both!
Gall bladders? Gall bladders? We don’t need no stinkin’ gall bladders! Thank you for the update warrior Bruce. Michelle you look fabulous trucking along and moving moving moving. Evelyn, my Evelyn and I are sending moss and lichen covered Oregon health vibes your way. You rock Michelle. Love and hugs, Nan and Evelyn
Hey, Bruce, when she is feeling better have her read this article-she will be really pleased by some of the political developments: https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-features/federal-legalization-pot-congress-825517/amp/
Great news Bruce. Wendy and I were thinking of Michelle all day yesterday (it's Friday here). Please give Michelle our best wishes. Cheers Barry and Wendy Finlay
Thanks for posting, Bruce! Hope you were able to take Paula's advice and get some zzzzz. Such great news on all fronts. So relived for both of you that Michelle doesn't have to face the agony of recovering from major surgery. Now you can look forward to hugging her so much sooner! Like others we are looking forward to the pathology report and especially wondering if it will show some support for the cannabis treatment. Much love to wonderful caring husband and his unsinkable wife. Mom and Dad