Daily Archives: July 5, 2011

A Gutsy Tale

by Monica Stoner, Member at Large

I’ve always found it easier to deal with a situation if I’m as informed as possible, so I have spent time researching the Whipple surgical procedure – the history, the odds of success, the improvements in survival.  I’ve learned as much as possible about roadblocks to recovery and about potential drawbacks of this specific procedure as well as any surgery.  To be well informed is to be ready for most any eventuality.

Imagine, though, how the neighborhood of the digestive system would feel about having a portion of their community removed without warning.  Would it go something like:

 â€œMan, what hit us last night? I don’t remember any kind of party, do you Harry?  Harry?  Where’s Harry.  And – Bob?  What are you doing over here, you’re supposed to be over on the other loop.”

“Yeah, and it looks like someone took a hunk out of the Pancreas.  What went on here last night, some sort of rave?”

 â€œHey, that pushy guy is gone, the one who was squatting at the end of the duct and kept encroaching on everyone’s property.”

“Yeah, you’re right. Anyone know what happened to him?”

“It’s like there was a riot or something and they cleaned out part of the neighborhood.  Man, I’m hungry.  Any chance we could get some food down here?”

Tom asked for his brother the day before the surgery and at midnight I met him at the Albuquerque airport.  Pre surgery was like a tag team comedy routine, then we went to wait.  And wait.  Seven plus hours all told before the surgeon told us he was happy with his part of the procedure but warned us this was just the first step.

We’ve had two steps forward and one step back, often those steps are shuffling baby steps.  When we thought we’d beaten the odds he ended up back in ICU, having aspirated bile and at risk of pneumonia.  I’ve gotten to know my quirky brother in law, who was part of a special unit in VietNam, and has the stories to share.  I met a nurse who came from Iran when she was ten and the shelling got so bad in her village, it wasn’t safe for her to live there any longer.   So many people, so many stories.  For someone who chose to live far out and away from people it’s been an experience.

Thanks for listening.

Writing as Mona Karel, Monica Stoner’s first book, MY KILLER MY LOVE, was released on May 25, 2011 from Black Opal Books.