No Biopsy Yet

The planned biopsy yesterday had to be canceled because the radiologist felt there was not enough tissue to sample and the risk of a bowel perforation was too high. Since Michelle's oncologist was unavailable yesterday, we had to wait until today to figure out a new plan.

When we got back to the room around noon, Michelle's nurse had her morning pills waiting for her. Unfortunately, as soon as the water hit her stomach it and the pills came right back up along with last night's dinner. Michelle rested and took it easy rest of the day and dined on Campbell's Chicken Noodle Soup.

Today she wasn't able to keep her breakfast down, and our concern and focus turned to her persistently queasy stomach. It's been several over a week since she's been able to keep solid food down and go for more than 36 hours without vomiting. We're growing concerned about her ability to get nutrition.

Dr. Marschke was in today and laid out the new plan. He explained that he, the surgeon, and the infectious disease doctors concur that the main concern now is that Michelle may have a full or partial bowel obstruction keeping her from digesting any food. The next diagnostic step will be an exploratory laparascopy to get a close look inside her abdomen at the areas that look suspicious. The surgeon will also evaluate options for addressing whatever he finds and investigate the possibility of putting in a feeding tube below the blockage.

I'll post an update when I know more.