The under-skin chemo port was surgically implanted today in a small procedure this morning. It was relatively quick surgery and we were home by 11am or so. All went well, but the whole process was kind of sad as it made the 6 months of chemo seem much more real now. Chemo is scheduled to start on 9/24, the next stage on our "journey". Tammy is at home and resting comfortably.

We received our first 2nd opinion today from Harvard Dana Farber (reviewed tests and sent us a pdf). It basically agreed with the current UF plan to do 6 months of chemo. Second 2nd opinion with Sloan Kettering is a zoom call on Thursday. Tammy is getting a port for chemo on Monday (small surgical procedure). Tammy is continuing to struggle with eating, but the surgeon says this is normal and will likely last another 3 or so weeks until the stomach and bowels can start digest

Tammy is recovery gradually from surgery. Biggest issue now is trying to get enough nutrition when your body still doesn't move food well through your system and your not hungry. She is good for a while then things back up or don't digest well and she has severe abdominal cramps. We have two second opinions coming from top tier hospitals (Dana Farber - Harvard and Sloan Kettering) in a week or two. Hopefully we will get the feedback before chemo starts.

Pathology results came back and were not good. It is Ampullary carcinoma and 6 lymph nodes were "infected". It is relatively uncommon cancer that requires chemo. We have to wait 3 weeks to recover from surgery and then start 6 months of chemo and possibly radiation after.

Tammy continues to make slow but steady progress. Slow by Tammy's standards and desires, but good relative to normal expectations. She is more comfortable, more awake, and walked around the block today. She is sleeping better at night and sleeping less during the day. Still on pain meds, but slowly weaning. Main source of stress right now is that we still don't have the Pathology report back. The results will dictate where we go from here.