, said Dr Levine. He installed a bell last year for 5+ year survivers to ring. 10 years out, I qualify! What a great guy. The last paper I found from him details how patients that got CRS with IPHC (the “mother of all surgeries”) live longer than previously suggested, by considering that the farther out you are, the better you do. Thanks Dr. Levine, you will always be my personal hero.
UPDATE: the following Tuesday, I went to see Dr. Vig at Rex (following Dr. Bloom’s referral to a local laproscopic surgeon). He works with Dr. Sturdivant now, who used to work with Dr. Cline (and had removed my port while I was in twilight, THAT was fun, like someone rooting around in your chest causing great pain while you watch – but he’s a great, sweet guy). He doesn’t think it’s a good idea to poke around with laproscopy. The first step is to blow up your peritoneum with gas, to separate all the organs and intestines – and that probably wouldn’t work with all my adhesions, it would just all stick together. He suggested a contrast study, where they take X-rays over 3 hours watching the dye go through – or maybe later, a camera-in-a-capsule – but I think I’ll just leave well enough alone for now. On with life! :-)
