A Valentine’s Day Liver Biopsy

A few weeks ago, knowing that Valentine’s Day was coming up and that I wanted to do something really nice for my Valentine, I struggled with what I could realistically do.  When one has cancer and things aren’t going as expected, planning a weekend away isn’t possible.  I’ve been so preoccupied the last couple of months that I didn’t make a dinner reservation at a cool Chicago restaurant and now, it was too late.  Heck…I couldn’t even count on myself to feel well enough to make a nice dinner for him.

And then…

Two weeks ago my oncologist called to cancel my original repeat liver biopsy appointment because I was on a medication and a chemo drug that increases the risk of bleeding during any surgical procedures.  I had to wait another 10 days until I could safely have another liver biopsy. My oncologist and I wanted to have the biopsy as soon as possible.  The first day I could have it?  Of course, Valentine’s Day. 

Being overwhelmed with our lives and the new biopsy date, presented a Valentine’s Day plan dilemma for Wynn, too.  We talked about it and decided that we’d get ourselves a new TV and sound system for our family room for a Valentine’s gift to each other – we have wanted to do this for years. I did the online research for the right size and quality TV, as well as, price.  Wynn purchased it earlier this week and next week, some geeks are coming to install everything.  Done…right?  Nah…I still wanted to do something small to surprise him. 

Yesterday, February 14th, Wynn and I got up early and by 8:00 A.M., I was in the Interventional Radiology procedure room ready to go.  I wanted my doctors to get a lot of tumor tissue this time.  I don't want to have another biopsy and since I have plenty of tumor – I told them to take as much as possible.  It turns out, like everything, it's not that simple.  The more you mess with the liver, the higher the risk of complications.  Using an 18-gauge trocar needle, they took out two 3-inch cores and were able to prepare 12 tissue blocks.  (This info is for my medical friends.) Eight of 12 blocks had adequate amounts of tumor and will be available for genetic testing, which is great!

When I came out of the procedure, Wynn left to go to work and Nina was with me.  I was observed in recovery for four hours.  On our way home, Nina and I stopped at Mariano’s, a fancy-ish market in our area.  Mariano’s has a gelato bar and I decided to get Wynn a Valentine’s surprise there since he loves coffee gelato.  But…when we walked in, the featured veggie at Mariano’s were Brussels sprouts.  Wynn loves coffee gelato, but he LOVES-LOVES Brussels sprouts.  (I'm only so-so about Brussels sprouts and don't make them often.) Of course I bought some and roasted them for dinner last night, (along with gluten-free lasagna from my wonderful sister-in-law, Debbie.) Wynn was so happy! 

This morning when I was scoping out our ‘frig, I noticed the Brussels sprouts are all gone and the coffee gelato is untouched.  I hope you had a good Valentine’s Day, Wynn.  

Surprise tulips from Wynn and surprise gelato to Wynn.  No

Brussels sprouts left to photograph.