Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith
ilmarinen - MODERATOR
Moderator
Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
- Joined
- Aug 20, 2004
- Messages
- 37,972
Some of you knew, some didn't. On Tuesday I had surgery. I had a neuroendocrine tumor at the tip of my pancreas. That isn't such a big deal. It was found by coincidence from some normal tests last fall.
The surgery went smoothly, and they found no surprises. However, since it was so solid and attached, they took the tip of the pancreas with it (an expected possibility). They also took the largest nymph node near the tumor - the spleen (also a possibility). The will biopsy the heck out of them but don't expect anything to be there. I woke up feeling fine and still feel good. No post op issues at all. I un-hooked the leg compression machine and got out of bed this morning, cleaned up, got dressed, hooked everything back up, and am sitting in the chair checking my emails and the forums.
The only issue is they are trying to figure why I have a raised WBC. It may just be my body reacting to the surgery, or some other issue. They can't find a thing wrong with me, though. Lungs and heart are perfect, blood is fine except the WBC, urinalysis is great, no fever, pain, etc. I have a great doctor and she won't just let it go with a wait and see attitude. She is also not one to just prescribe an antibiotic unless she knows what it is treating. They are running some more blood work and giving me some IV electrolyte fluids.
I retired ten days ago and after a few weeks' recuperation should be back in the shop getting it up and working. One problem (a good problem) is that the shop is piled with woodworking and jeweler's tools and equipment that I just inherited from a friend who passed away and an eviction cleanout. There will be a HUGH yard sale this spring. I'll post about it when I am getting ready, as some of the folks within a days drive may want to come. To fellow bladesmiths, I will probably give a lot of stuff away.
I'll keep you chaps updated as things progress.
The surgery went smoothly, and they found no surprises. However, since it was so solid and attached, they took the tip of the pancreas with it (an expected possibility). They also took the largest nymph node near the tumor - the spleen (also a possibility). The will biopsy the heck out of them but don't expect anything to be there. I woke up feeling fine and still feel good. No post op issues at all. I un-hooked the leg compression machine and got out of bed this morning, cleaned up, got dressed, hooked everything back up, and am sitting in the chair checking my emails and the forums.
The only issue is they are trying to figure why I have a raised WBC. It may just be my body reacting to the surgery, or some other issue. They can't find a thing wrong with me, though. Lungs and heart are perfect, blood is fine except the WBC, urinalysis is great, no fever, pain, etc. I have a great doctor and she won't just let it go with a wait and see attitude. She is also not one to just prescribe an antibiotic unless she knows what it is treating. They are running some more blood work and giving me some IV electrolyte fluids.
I retired ten days ago and after a few weeks' recuperation should be back in the shop getting it up and working. One problem (a good problem) is that the shop is piled with woodworking and jeweler's tools and equipment that I just inherited from a friend who passed away and an eviction cleanout. There will be a HUGH yard sale this spring. I'll post about it when I am getting ready, as some of the folks within a days drive may want to come. To fellow bladesmiths, I will probably give a lot of stuff away.
I'll keep you chaps updated as things progress.
