Welcome to our CaringBridge site. We've created it to keep friends and family updated regarding Ray's surgery and recovery.
Below you will find background on his condition. The timeline updates are being provided regularly by Dorothy, Tamara and Tania.
On Friday July 22nd, Ray was unexpectedly diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer. For the prior few weeks, he was not feeling well but thankfully was doing his regular 6 month checkups with his physician, Dr. Eskow. He went to the Emergency Department due to some mild jaundice and some concerns by his doctor in his regular blood work.
He spent 5 days in the hospital, at which time his jaundice was addressed and the doctors thankfully determined that the cancer was operable. They put in a stent and then surgery was scheduled. He was able to go home and spend some quiet time relaxing, tending to his ancillary conditions and Dorothy trying to fatten him up in preparation for the surgery! Tamara and Tania also spent a few days at their home, known as the "Four Seasons at Great Notch" in Woodland Park, New Jersey.
The surgery, first scheduled to be August 4th (yes, sigh, Mom's birthday) was delayed due to an infection and gout in his hand. During the following week, Ray rested at home and yes more good cooking and healthy food from Dorothy! Dorothy and Ray enjoyed some quiet time at home, celebrated Ray's 73rd birthday on August 10th, and also had visits from friends and family. Even Heather Parcells (Dorothy's niece) came to visit!
Thursday Aug 11th, 2016 Ray is back at Valley Hospital in Ridgewood, NJ and undergoing a "Whipple" procedure which will remove the cancer and he'll be in recovery for a week or so at Valley, then returning to rest at home.
For further updates, please visit the timeline.
We are blessed to have this wonderful husband, father and friend Raymond Cochran. We welcome pictures and words of encouragement during this time. While this is the first August Dorothy and Ray have spent in NJ rather than Cape Cod since any of us can remember, they are greatly thankful for their network of friends and family during this time.
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