S-3

Della spent her second day in the Trauma ICU recuperating from her first. She was alert when she wasn't dozing (the anti-pain medication and the nerve blocks were working well yesterday). She sleep during much of the nine hours I was there, though we did work together on the USA Today Crossword puzzle which we were able to complete in little less than an hour. Archbishop Duncan came by at around 3. He and Della engaged in a relatively lively conversation about archbishops, bishops, and popes before His Grace gave her his archiepiscopal blessing and left for a meeting with other important folk. Fr. Paul Sutcliffe also stopped by. Just before 6 PM, the nurses got Della out of bed and into a chair - she was supposed to remain there for an hour at least.

When I left, she had still not seen her surgeon. What we did find out from a nurse's speculations (and this may be wishful thinking), is that the spleen was probably not removed, and that only the distal section of the pancreas was taken out. This is fairly sophisticated surgery even for laparoscopic procedures. Type "distal pancreas" in Google and you'll learn what I mean. http://www.surgery.usc.edu/divisions/tumor/pancreasdiseases/web%20pages/pancreas%20resection/distal%20pancreatectomy.html

The nurse said the size of the incisions on Della's abdomen suggests there was no removal of the spleen, and that she had "heard" that Dr. Lee removed only the distal portion of the pancreas. Several of Lee's team have come to check on Della's pain, but volunteered no further information even when we asked them. When I left last night, Della was resting comfortably.

This morning, UPMC Presby called and notified me that Della was being moved to Montefiore (part of the UPMC complex) - the buildings are connected by a beautiful bridge. So when I leave here in a few minutes, I will head to Montefiore. I hope I don't have the hassle I had yesterday in finding a parking place.

UPDATE ON THE UPDATE: Della just called. She did see Dr. Lee last night. He told her they did not remove the spleen and that he had taken out the distal section of the pancreas. They are now waiting to see whether the pancreas will resume functioning in several days. As for whether the cells were malignant, the lab tests won't be complete until Tuesday or Wednesday. Della's room in 1067 N UPMC Montefiore.