Dan’s Story

Site created on November 18, 2018

Welcome to Dan's CaringBridge website. We are using it to keep family and friends updated in one place. We appreciate your support and words of hope and encouragement. Thank you for visiting.

How did this start?

On Tuesday November 13th, Dan came home from work and had severe stomach pains, he didn’t want to eat, just wanted to go to bed and try to deal with the pain. On Wednesday Nov. 14 we took Dan to Prompt Care where they surmised he might have a ruptured appendix and recommended we go to the ER for a CT (cat) scan and probable surgery. After the CT scan the medical team told us they weren’t exactly sure what had happened but it looked like an “explosion” had taken place inside his body.  During the exploratory surgery they found a large volume of mucin (similar to mucus) inside his abdominal cavity and his appendix was gone. The surgeons removed as much of the mucin as they could and told Mary Kae to gather the family and minister; they would try to keep Dan stable until everyone arrived. As it was the middle of the night, siblings scrambled to get to Normal thru the snow. Despite the dark prognosis, miraculously Dan kept improving every day and after 36 hours regained consciousness. He made friends in the ICU and slowly day by day tubes and lines kept getting disconnected. By November 18th Dan had made enough progress that he was transferred out of ICU and that is where the journal entries begin.

Dan has been diagnosed with appendix cancer that has spread to other areas and we are working with doctors and surgeons here and in St. Louis to determine the next steps in his treatment. Thank you to everyone for their concerns, positive thoughts and prayers.

Newest Update

5 year anniversary of CRS/HIPEC surgery

Journal entry by Mary Kae Sherman —

Thank you for being on this journey with us. We have been happy to not have much to say! 

Yesterday, Mar 27, 2024 Dan and I made our pilgrimage to Edwards Hospital in Naperville for a MRI scan and check up with Dr. Salti. We had a good drive and quick service for the labs and scan. I go grab a coffee at the new hospital Starbucks while Dan is in the tube. Then lunch in the cafeteria to break Dan’s fast and wait for our afternoon appointment to see Dr. Salti. His lab work showed acceptable results on the tumor markers. The MRI scan showed NED “no evidence of disease”! Doctor said he was doing well and could graduate to only having a scan once a year! We are so grateful for this news! As we sit in our joy the universe does keep us in balance with our sorrow for friends and family who are not as lucky. We pray for those who suffer. We pray for those in the medical field who are working to heal all those that are touched by cancer and illness. We pray in humble gratitude for Dan’s healing. We pray thanksgiving for each of you in our lives. Happy Easter!

 
Read More of the journal titled "5 year anniversary of CRS/HIPEC surgery"
  • From our recent trip to Carbondale.
    From our recent trip to Carbondale.
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