Snakes and Surgeons

Yesterday was a busy day!  And it all began with a snake.

Our farm has become legendary in family circles for the sheer number of strays and wildlife that make their home here.  And generally all are welcome.  However...yesterday morning when I went out to feed, I found an uninvited guest in the barn.  Seems that this nasty gentleman had slithered his way into the chicken coop - For Breakfast!

We used to have two little chicks in the coop: Henny and Penny.  Sadly, we now have just one little Henny.  It takes a lot to ruffle my feathers, but this snake really pushed my buttons!  Obviously he was unaware that our farm operates under a Snake-Free Zone.  And we take this policy very seriously.  Especially when our young chicks are threatened.  And eaten!  Not acceptable behavior on the farm.

So, suffice it to say, he will not be dining with us again in the future.  I can be one mean, pioneer/warrior woman when required, just saying...

And no, I don't make this stuff up!!  It really happens...

Now then, since the snake dust has settled, we can move on to more pertinent matters!  Like mom's 2-week check-up with her surgeon.  We visited with him yesterday afternoon and as we had hoped, he was very pleased with her progress from the gall bladder surgery.  Her pain is lessening little by little, appetite is returning and her energy is up somewhat.  All good things!  He had the pathology report on her gall bladder and it was not pretty:

"Severe acute and chronic cholecystitis with intramural microabscess formation, mural fibrosis, and acute fibrinous serosal exudate."

Translation:  Her gall bladder was a rotten, slimy mess!

So glad that surgery is behind her.  And even better news, the pathology report indicated no cancer cells in the gall bladder.   We are cautiously optimistic that the cancer is still just confined to the pancreas.  Dr. Davis, her oncologist wants to give her another week or so before continuing with the chemotherapy.  So with her healing well underway, we have a week and a half to put some weight on before the chemo knocks it off.  We began with lunch at the Corner Bakery.  Delicious!  Mom polished off half of a Club Panini and some hearty Lentil Soup.  and even had a bite of my fudge brownie.  The calorie counter is off and running!

Hope your day was as profitable as ours!  And many prayers that your chicken coops are snake-free!

With Love, Jane

Return to Pancreatic Cancer Journey website.