Summary
- Stomach ulcer or indigestion pain first noticed on 22 April 2000
- Treated, but another pain surfaced
- Ultrasound scan 16 May 2000 revealed a polyp in the gall bladder
- Scheduled for removal at Horsens Hospital on 31 May 2000
- However, the surgeon found the gall bladder "inflamed" and "stuck" to the liver
- The surgeon (Dr. Erik Khristensen) left it in and referred Mette to a liver specialist/surgeon (Dr. Rokkjær [pronounced Rock-air]) at the Århus Kommunehospital for tests and surgery (scheduled for 23 June)
- That surgery was cancelled when an ERCP (Endoscopic Retrograde CholangioPancreatography) showed that Mette has Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis (PSC)
- In primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC), the bile ducts inside and outside the liver become inflamed and scarred. As the scarring increases, the ducts become blocked. The ducts are important because they carry bile out of the liver. Bile is a liquid that helps break down fat in food. If the ducts are blocked, bile builds up in the liver and damages liver cells. Eventually, PSC can cause liver failure.
- The links page has more on this rare disease.
- Dr. Rokkjær ordered more exams (to explore suspicious tissue in the area and to learn conclusively if cancer is present in the liver, or not)
- Wednesday, 28 June 2000 a Positron Emissions Tomografi (PET) scan -- Report: no cancer in the liver proper--but a "hot spot" in the gall bladder region. Surgical findings (5 July) confirmed gall bladder cancer and none in the liver.
- Surgery on Wednesday, 5 July 2000:
- gall bladder and main bile duct (from the liver to the gall bladder) involved with cancer and removed
- main vein from the region had been invaded by the gall bladder tumor, the "bad part" was removed and the vein repaired
- Dr. Rokkjær feels he got all the cancer out, and in his words ". . . it was a big operation . . . "
- Mette's recovery from the surgery has been interrupted and/or hampered by the flu, nearly crippling back pain, a bacterial cholangitis attack, jaundice (yellowing of the eyes and skin), anemia, and maybe trying to go back to work too soon, or working too hard.
- CT Scan 20 November 2000 at Århus showed several areas inside the liver with dead cells due to insufficient portal vein blood flow
- Dr. Rokkjær said usually in cases like this new veins grow and the liver regenerates
- but, a CT scan on 5 Dec 2000 showed no improvement and he said it is going to be a very slow process
- unfortunately, that slow process came to a screeching halt in mid-December when a small portion of her liver liquified and abscessed--Mette was very very weak and ill...so ill the hospital staff allowed me to stay in her room...the first night I didn't want to go to sleep because I was afraid she would be gone when I awoke--and, each time I did wake up I held my breath until I saw her breathe
- on 23 Jan 2001 the doctor explained a newly found problem (a "large" hole in the intestine just below the stomach, probably due to poor blood flow) and explained that her only chance is an operation, but he is not sure she is strong enough to survive the recovery
- on 24 Jan the doctor opened her and found cancer in the lining of the abdomen, along with other problems it is inoperable--he closed her up without doing any repair work--he expects she will live for only a few days
- Thursday evening, 25 January 2001, at 7:42 PM Central European Time:
- having done her best against insurmountable odds
- in a room with flickering candles and beautiful fresh flowers from dear friends
- surrounded by very close friends and family
- in complete peace
- with absolutely no pain
- and not a hint of fear
- Sweet Mette Tersløse Jensen freed herself from the body that let her down
- Funeral services were on Thursday, 1 Feb 2001, at 1:00 PM in the Glud Church.
[Index] [Memorial] [Blood Test] [Whole Story] [Links] [Contact Info]
[Tersløse.com]
©Copyright 2001, 2001, DenverD. All rights reserved.