Catching Up with Dick Carlson

by Dianne

I know some of the Blog readers are aware of Dick's health issues either through email or facebook. For the rest of his Rockport friends and family who don’t have access to either, here’s what has been going on since the last report. 

Dick started his chemo therapy on June 13, via a pill, and was doing quite well with not experiencing any of the negative side effects. However, on July 30 he was admitted to Henry Ford Hospital due to low hemoglobin.  The doctors were very concerned with this unexpected blood loss again.  They were not sure if it was due to his chemo therapy or something else. In addition to getting blood (at last count he has received nearly 70 units so far this year) more tests were scheduled to pinpoint the leak, including something similar to what he previously had while in Texas where they administered a contrast dye and he had to lie still 90 minutes for the detailed scan.  I am not sure what the technical term is for this test. The scan results showed another tumor in the right lobe of his liver.   

A committee of cancer/liver specialists met to determined the course of action.  Their decision was to remove the right lobe of his liver since all his recurring issues were stemming from that area. The surgery was done on Saturday, August 4^th and took from 10 am until 6 pm. The procedure included removing the right lobe, reconstructing the bile ducts, and repairing the three hernias.  He was released on Sunday, August 12 and is very happy to be back in his own home and bed. At a follow up visit with his doctors next week, they will assess his progress and determine what plan of action can be implemented and hopefully put this illness into remission.

As you can probably imagine, Dick’s “get up and go got up and went” without him.  He’s a little on the weak side and doesn’t have much of an appetite right now.  Sleep is his best friend.  It’s going to take some time for him to regain his strength and energy level, but he is determined to do just that. After all, he and Lucille have a date with their friends and their 5^th wheel down in Texas come October.

Dick and Lucille want to thank everyone for the cards, emails, and phone calls.  They appreciate your friendship and are thankful for your continued prayers.