Austin bound!

Cindy followed up with her surgeon, Dr. Fleming, and he was very pleased with how the well the healing process is going. They have changed her pain meds, and they seem to be helping as well. Cindy's approved diet is expanding, which is exciting! But most importantly... she gets to come home tomorrow!!! Cindy will begin updating the care calendar when she gets back home, and is beyond excited to be heading back!

Farewell for now MD Anderson!

Cindy was discharged yesterday around lunchtime from MD Anderson!!! They want her to stay close for the next couple of weeks for monitoring.
Stacy, Alex, and Paisley went down to see her this weekend and help lift spirits all around. Cindy was also blessed with Tom, Becky, and Lisa being able to go down and visit during this transition, and they are a great source of strength and love.
Cindy is still on a liquid diet but getting stronger by the day.
The strong prayers and thoughts are being felt all around, and the family is so grateful for all forms of support.
Please continue sending your love and prayers, the fight is still long and tough, but is made easier through the support of family and friends.

Gratefulness and Love,
Cindy and the Family

Recovery Day 8

Cindy had a very good day!

She took her first hot shower and washed her hair. She took many walks around MD Anderson and went up to the observation deck on the top floor. Her diet has been expanded to soup, oatmeal, grits, and pudding. Yum! Food is digesting well and increasing her strength.

Cindy is transitioning from IV meds to pill form in preparation to leave the hospital. Tomorrow she will lose her side stomach port.

If all stays stable she will leave the hospital Friday! Thank you Darla for being here this week!

Pathology clear!

Cindy's pathology report came back today and showed all clean and clear margins and no lymph involvement! What fantastic news to hear! Still hitting rough patches in the recovery as far as her digestive comfort is concerned, but still healing. Her epidural is coming out today, and they will begin to transition to oral medications. A hot shower is in her near future, and she is dining on Jello and juice today! But the huge news being that she is cancer free!!!
Cindy is so thankful for the amazing love and support throughout this process, so keep it coming! The recovery is taking big steps!

Recovery Day 6

Cindy got her stomach pump taken out today! HOORAY! The tube through her nose was very uncomfortable and she couldn't wait for that to go. She also got to visit the beauty parlor, put make-up on and get a warm sponge bath. She is feeling like a brand new woman!

She then got to visit the outdoor park on Floor 2 of MD Anderson to soak up some sunshine. She was in heaven! Took a nap in the sun and got to enjoy the panoramic view of Houston. She is meeting all her milestones like a champ.

She is likely to discharge from the hospital to Mark and Jeanne Marie's home in Houston on Friday!  That will be the best time for flowers or other gift deliveries.

Cindy's brother, Tom and wife Becky from New Mexico, Friends Lisa and Mike, Stacy, Brandon, and Alex will be there this weekend as she transitions out of the hospital. Paisley will also get to join us! Cindy has been waiting and waiting to get some puppy kisses!

Recovery Day 5

Great day today! Pain is getting much more manageable. Walked the floor 6 times and gaining strength by the day. Had my first bowel movement and peed not using the catheter!!! This is a major success on the road to going home. Had my first blood infusion and feel good. Having my daily popsicle which is such a treat!

Had lots of help over the weekend from Paul, Mark, Jeanne Marie, Caroline, Alex, Kelli, Karen and Jane. Thank you all for your help! I also had a surprise guest helper, Sara that showed up tonight from Austin to sit with me for the night shift. WOW!

I look forward to seeing my sister in law, Darla, tomorrow who is coming in for the week from Florida!

Many prayers answered and I feel so blessed!

Recovery update: Day 3

Day three started out with more struggles with pain management, but Cindy's great nursing staff is ontop of all of it, getting her comfortable as quickly as possible. The family and friends side of team Cindy is making rotations for the weekend as Alex, Kelli, Karen, Jane and Caroline come into town. Cindy is setting and exceeding her goals for laps walked around the nurses station. She was also able to have her first popcicle today which she has very much been looking forward to!
Cindy is able to check her Facebook from time to time, and is so grateful for the amazing amount of love and support flowing in from all directions! Keep it up!

Update on Cindy!

Cindy is looking stronger by the hour! Pain management was a slight concern through the night but has been handled quickly and efficiently. She's in great spirits, and feasting on gourmet ice chips. The room she is in now is much too small to handle flower arrangements, so if you'd like to send your love, cards are the best option for now. Cindy feels so blessed to have such a caring group of friends and family surrounding her with love and prayers. 

Address for cards only please!

Cindy Dicks

1515 Holcombe Blvd. Rm#P629

Houston, TX. 77030

Flowers welcome at the following address starting on the 11th of Nov.

Mark and Jeanne Marie Dicks

3414 El Dorado Blvd

Missouri City, TX 77459

Surgery is over!

Cindy's surgery went as smooth as anyone could have hoped! Dr. Fleming met with all of us just a few minutes ago and was nothing but positive about the procedure and the end result. All cancer removed, no surprises, and no signs of spreading. Cindy is awake but groggy, and they will be moving her over to a recovery room soon. Thank you all so much for the continued prayers. God is good.
Love to all,
Paul and the family

MD Anderson- Surgery Prep

On Oct. 28 ad 29 we went to MD Anderson in Houston.  On Tuesday, I had blood work drawn and a CT scan of my pancreas and abdomen.  My blood work came back with a higher white blood cell count, tumor marker at normal, all others had improved as well.  I gained about 5 pounds which also pleased my team.

On Wednesday, we went over these results with Dr. Fleming, my GI surgeon as well as talking with the nutritionist.  I will be on a clear liquid diet for the first few days and then graduate to full liquid foods such as mashed potatoes, oatmeal, cream of wheat, and smoothies.
The surgery will take 6-8 hours depending on whether the plastic surgeons need to replace any veins.  It takes 3 hours just to get to the pancreas!  I will have my stint, gallbladder, and part of my intestines removed.My  pain will be managed with an epidural the first 3-4 days, and then a pump.  Once I leave the hospital I will manage it with pills.  I will be up walking as early as Wednesday.  I'll have pumps around my lower legs for clotting and tubes on my sides for drainage until the plumbing is working on its own again.  :)
Organs do not like to be messed with and so they stop working and have to be gently reminded for a few days on what to do.

Tomorrow, Monday the 2nd, we are heading to Houston.  I will be on a clear liquid diet and have to do a cleanse in the afternoon as a part of the prep.

This weekend was wonderful.  We had friends over Saturday  for fire pit and friendship while watching the Horns beat Tech.  Sunday we had a lovely brunch out at the lake with friends.  Trying to have some yummy meals before I can't.

Paul will begin blogging again several times a week and possibly daily.
Hugs to all,
Cindy