Monday, August 22, 2011

Surgery Report

Finn finally got out of surgery around 5:15 or so, but I didn't get to see him until after 6:30, and he didn't eat until we were back in the room, around 7:30.  That's 12 hours without food!  The good news is that he made it through surgery without any major complications, and is back in our room and currently asleep in my lap - chest tube and all.  About an hour ago I was pumping on one side while he fed on the other, trying to balance the bottle I was pumping into between his chest tube and my body - definitely not something I ever imagined doing.

The bad news is they couldn't get the whole tumor.  The surgeon said it extended more into the neck than he expected based on the MRI, and while he could have tried to get as much in the neck as he could see, he was afraid he'd end up damaging something important in the neck.  In addition, the tumor was attached to the subclavian artery (I think, it might have been the vein) and a couple of nerves.  If he'd tried to remove it all, there's a good chance Finn would have ended up with permanent nerve damage or a lot of bleeding, which just isn't worth it, since his chance of a cure with chemo is so high.  The frozen section sent to pathology during surgery confirmed the diagnosis of neuroblastoma, but we won't know the specifics for sure until the final pathology is back; the oncologist said we should get at least an early read on the pathology tomorrow.

This isn't the news I'd hoped for, but the important thing right now is that Finn made it through surgery just fine.  I was so scared the whole time he was back, but he did even better than expected, since he's well enough to be in a regular room with me, instead of the PICU!  I'm going to focus on that right now, and worry about what happens next once we actually have a plan.

Thank you all for all your thoughts and prayers, and for the prayer requests on your blogs.  I could definitely feel them today, and I hope Finn could, too.
Posted by Shannon at 10:29 PM

32 comments:

  1. The Baby Chase ProjectAugust 22, 2011 at 10:36 PM

    Shannon, I'm so happy to hear that Finn is doing well. You have a great team of doctors taking care of him. We will continue to pray for Finn. Give him a big hug from all of us.

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  2. pegAugust 22, 2011 at 10:38 PM

    I'm so glad that he came through surgery safely! I hope that chemo takes care of it all - sorry to hear that they couldn't get it all with surgery. Stay strong!

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  3. JendoAugust 22, 2011 at 10:46 PM

    I'm relieved to here Finn made it through surgery safely though I'm sad to hear they weren't able to remove the entire tumor and that Finn has to go through chemotherapy. He's such a trooper, like his mom!

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  4. UnknownAugust 22, 2011 at 10:47 PM

    I've been revisiting your blog all day. I'm so glad he made it through surgery just fine. Its bloody hard to think of a poor baby needing chemo. He is going to come through this ok and one day all of this will be reduced to a horrible memory for you and less than that for him, but still, I'm so, so sorry both of you have to go through this now.

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  5. GenkicatAugust 22, 2011 at 10:49 PM

    I'm so glad that Finn did so well during surgery, and still so very positive about the good chances for a cure with chemo. And you are so very strong, he is very lucky to have you!

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  6. OakAugust 22, 2011 at 10:58 PM

    Ah Shannon. I know that so not the news you wanted, well, any of us wanted. I'm so sorry to hear that the tumor was bigger and more intricate than they expected. But I continue to know that you and Finn are going to weather this storm and be onto better things - like crawling and solids - soon. Much love.

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  7. UnknownAugust 22, 2011 at 11:15 PM

    Oh Shannon, First off, so very glad Finn did so amazingly well during his surgery and that he's back in your arm where he should be!! What a resilient little guy you have there!! My heart dropped when I read that the tumor was a bit more complex than hoped, but I know Finn will be in the best of care and he has you as his mommy, so he will travel this journey and come out raring to sit up, crawl, walk, run, throw a few temper tantrums and love on his mommy forever and ever!!

    Many hugs!

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  8. Sarah FainAugust 22, 2011 at 11:46 PM

    Go Finn!!! So happy he came through surgery so well. But I'm so sorry he's going to have to go through chemo. We'll all just keep saying prayers and sending good thoughts and wishes your way, for as long as it takes for Finn to get a clean bill of health!

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  9. Selkie MomAugust 23, 2011 at 12:16 AM

    So glad he is doing well after surgery. I am so amazed at how strong he and you are. I wish he didn't have to go through chemotherapy. Foxie and I will continue to send prayers and hugs to Finn. I hope someday when they're both bigger our boys can meet and play together. Take care of each other. Love, Amy and Zac

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  10. KanisAugust 23, 2011 at 1:02 AM

    I've been keeping an eye on my blog feed all day for an update on you two. While it's not the news you had hoped, it is good to hear that the prognosis is positive. Your little boy is a fighter.

    Sending you lots of hugs.

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  11. JenAugust 23, 2011 at 1:10 AM

    Glad that he made it through the surgery so well. Sorry they couldn't get it all, but it sounds like they have a good plan of attack. Good luck and my thoughts will continue to be with you both!!

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  12. bunintheovenplease!August 23, 2011 at 1:59 AM

    Your strength and attitude are an inspiration. Glad to hear that the surgery is done and that Finn is doing so well.

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  13. NellAugust 23, 2011 at 5:56 AM

    wow- not the news we all hoped for, but once again because of your diligence in realizing something was off and seeking help immediately, Finn has a much better prognosis with the chemo. I'm sorry he will have to go through it and sorry that you have to experience it as a parent, helpless to really do anything yourself, BUT when it is over and he is healthy, he won't remember it at all and it will slip mostly to the back of your mind except for an even more profound gratitude for your little boy. Sending hugs and prayers....

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  14. AnonymousAugust 23, 2011 at 7:14 AM

    Been thinking of you both and happy to hear Finn was such a trooper!!! He's on his way! Sorry to hear the tumor wasn't as they expected and chemotherapy is next but it will at least conquer all those bad cells so he can get to being a healthy little guy. While dealing with my dad's pancreatic cancer at a young age, a friend reminded us "small steps lead to big miracles" - it became a mantra. Hang in there, Shannon, lots of people are praying for you both.

    Masha (rainingsunsh!ne)

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  15. JennyBeanAugust 23, 2011 at 7:15 AM

    Shannon, it sounds like Finn has a very wise surgeon. You are a strong woman and you and sweet little Finn are going to get through this. You're in my prayers.

    XOXO

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  16. TiaraAugust 23, 2011 at 7:39 AM

    Glad Finn came thru surgery so well & avoided the PICU. Keeping you both in our thoughts & prayers.

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  17. gwinneAugust 23, 2011 at 7:47 AM

    I am SO glad to hear Finn made it through surgery okay. I wish that could be the end of this chapter of his life and you could move on to happier better things. I'm sorry he'll need chemo, too. Thinking of you, Shannon, and wishing the two of you only the best.

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  18. MeAndBabyAugust 23, 2011 at 8:50 AM

    You are a rock star through all of this and Finn is so lucky to have you! Thanks for the updates. I will keep you both in my thoughts.

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  19. DeborahAugust 23, 2011 at 9:17 AM

    The whole experience must've been so scary for both of you. I'm sorry they couldn't get the whole tumor, but it's encouraging to hear that the success rate with chemo is so high. I'll be thinking of you guys.

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  20. JennyAugust 23, 2011 at 10:51 AM

    I'm sorry that Finn has to go through chemo, but very glad he came out of surgery just fine. Sending you both lots of love and strength...

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  21. ClaireAugust 23, 2011 at 12:06 PM

    During Fiona's very bumpy road in the PICU last year, I needed many reminders that "two steps forward and one back" was still progress. We want the road to health to be a straight and smooth one, but unfortunately with serious illness, that's rarely the case. Finn is making great progress and I am sure he will continue to in the next steps. I'm sorry the surgery is not the end of his treatment - I know it is disheartening. Keep the faith and hang on tight to each other and you will get there. Much love to you and Finn.

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  22. bluejAugust 23, 2011 at 2:47 PM

    Glad the surgery is behind you both now. Still praying for the remainder of the road to recovery.

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  23. GilleAugust 23, 2011 at 4:57 PM

    So glad to hear that he made it out of surgery. I'm continuing to pray for you both as you go down this road.

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  24. AnonymousAugust 23, 2011 at 8:00 PM

    OK. Trying again. I'm so glad that Finn came through surgery so well. I wish that they could have gotten it all, so he wouldn't have to do chemo. He has done so well with all those tests and now the surgery, I'm sure he'll fly through the chemo too. Love you both so much. Kath

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  25. Ebony Choice MomAugust 23, 2011 at 8:31 PM

    I am so happy he made it out of surgery. You both are continuously in my prayers!

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  26. AnonymousAugust 23, 2011 at 8:49 PM

    SO happy Finn did well and was back in the room with you instead of the PICU! He's a fighter, that's for sure. So as you both start the next part of this fight, know we are all here to support you, to help hold you up when you need it, and to be your loudest cheerleaders.
    Go Team Finn!!

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  27. EvelynAugust 23, 2011 at 10:52 PM

    I'm so glad he made it through without major complications. He'll do well with chemo. I read somewhere that 8 months after Lance Armstrong had chemo there was not medical evidence that he actually had chemo he had recovered so fully. Finn will too.

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  28. PennyAugust 23, 2011 at 11:27 PM

    So glad that the surgery went smoothly! Every time I visit your blog I am just taken with what an adorable, happy baby Finn is... I am keeping you and Finn in my thoughts.

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  29. IsisAugust 24, 2011 at 12:15 AM

    I'm glad surgery went well, but I'm sad that he needs chemo. I will be thinking of you both and hoping everything with chemo goes ok.

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  30. DoraAugust 24, 2011 at 10:59 AM

    So relieved to hear Finn made it through surgery like a champ. Sorry to hear he'll need chemo. I just keep thinking how lucky he is that you had the knowledge to recognize the symptoms.

    Hugs to you both. Snuggling and mommy milk sound like the best medicine.

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  31. wottadollAugust 24, 2011 at 4:49 PM

    So glad to hear he made it through the surgery, even though it wasn't the result you had hoped for. Keeping you both in my thoughts, sending good vibes your way every day!

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  32. MookiePieAugust 26, 2011 at 7:17 PM

    So glad he did well with the surgery, just wish that they could have removed it all.

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