July 21, 2008 - 5:00 pm

Garrett was discharged from the hospital around 4:00 pm. His bilirubin count and liver enzymes really didn't decrease but they let him go anyway. I am sure he will have to follow up with more bloodwork in the next couple of days. They are on their way back to The Villages.

July 21, 2008

Garrett is still in the hospital. His bilirubin count and liver enzymes are both high. His liver is not functioning properly to get rid of the toxins from the procedure. This will get better, it just takes some time. The nurse told them that it just means that the liver was "messed with." The procedure took 6 hours this time which is about double compared to when they did the right side in June. They have to wait until the bilirubin and liver enzymes are both decreasing before they can discharge him. They will do another blood test at 3:00 pm today. They should have the results back around 4:30 pm and if they have decreased they will discharge him. He is able to go outside and sit to get some fresh air. Garrett and Mom are both ready to get out of there. Once he is discharged they will be going back to The Villages, Florida so he can recuperate there before traveling home to Georgia. I will update again later once they get the test results back.

July 18, 2008

Garrett has been in a lot of pain since his procedure on Wednesday. His blood liver enzymes are very high, his blood pressure is still high, and he hasn't been able to keep anything down. He did get up today for a short walk but was very weak. This afternoon he had a slight temperature. Unfortunately, these are all common symptons to have after this procedure.

July 16, 2008 - 10:20 PM

Garrett is now in his room. He has been since around 8:00 pm. He is now stabilized. They have a new machine that clamps off the artery internally so they were able to take the catheter out. This "star" staple will stay in. He will now have to stay still on his back for four hours because of the clamp. His back is really bothering him since he has been on his back for 8 hours for the procedure. I did talk with him and with all things considered, he sounded good. Let's hope the morphine does not make him so sick this time and that he and Mom both get a decent night's sleep.

Here is the information for Garrett at the hospital:

Moffitt Cancer Center
12902 Magnolia Drive
Tampa, Florida 33612
Room 509
Room Phone: 813-745-2509

You can call his room telephone number anytime. Please call Mom's cell phone only after 7 pm due to lack of cell phone minutes.

I will update again tomorrow.

July 16, 2008 - 6:30 PM

I just spoke with Mom. Garrett's surgery was delayed and he didn't go in until 2:00. The procedure is done but he has not come out yet. Due to the secretions of the tumors, his blood pressure is out of control. Once it is under control, they will remove the catheter from the artery in his leg. Mom is still waiting to see him.

They did find out that the tumor on the left side of his liver was the largest. Also, they were going to check on the right side of his liver to see if it needed more embolization and if so, they would do that while they were in there as well.

That is all of the information I have right now. Mom will be calling me back once he is out of surgery to update me more. I will update as soon as I hear from her.

July 15, 2008

Garrett and Mom are in Tampa. Garrett had his pre-op visit today as well as his sandostatin injection. He will have the surgery on the left side of his liver tomorrow morning at 11:00 am. They need to be at the hospital by 9:00 am. Hopefully this time it will be a little easier on him. Please keep him in your thoughts and prayers tomorrow. I will update once I hear from Mom.

If you plan on calling Mom, please wait until after 7:00 pm due to lack of cell phone minutes. If I get a room telephone number tomorrow, I will post it. Thanks!

July 3, 2008

Garrett continues to slowly recuperate at home in Atlanta. His second embolization surgery on the left side of his liver is scheduled for July 16th in Tampa, Florida. He will have his pre-op visit on July 15th. They will be leaving for The Villages later this week and then on to Tampa on Tuesday the 15th.

Please keep Garrett and Mom in your thoughts and prayers.