An Estevan man is cancer free after a gruelling surgery at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota.
Jeff Lukye was operated on by a team of doctors for 27 hours beginning on the morning of Dec. 20. His wife Keri said the lengthy procedure was a success as doctors were able to remove the tumour from his pelvis area. Jeff is continuing his recovery at the Mayo Clinic and although he remains groggy, Keri said he was thrilled to hear about the results of the surgery.
"Pathology had final results on the margins around his tumour and they were all negative, meaning they were able to remove all of the cancer," said Keri. "This was our Christmas gift."
Last week's surgery was actually Lukye's second at the world-famous clinic. The first, on Dec. 17, was a 14-hour exploratory procedure to find out how large the tumour was and whether it had spread. Doctors discovered that the tumour had in fact spread and had to remove an area of his colon as well as section of his small intestine.
"The tumor was higher and pushed further to the left than the scans had indicated," Keri said. "There was also extensive damage to the main blood vessels that feed the legs and damage from both radiation and/or tumour involvement.
"These factors did increase the risks for the second surgery. (Lead surgeon) Dr. (Eric) Dozois discussed these issues and risks with Jeff, and Jeff was prepared to move ahead as planned."
Although doctors had numerous concerns given the magnitude of the second surgery, Keri said everything went as expected. She added that the procedure, which was documented at length in the Dec. 23 edition of the Regina Leader-Post, removed his leg, half of his pelvis and lower area of his spine.
"(The surgery) was long, but that was expected. He also lost a lot of blood, but that too was expected," said Keri.
"After returning Jeff to the ICU, they kept him sedated and on the respirator in order to flush the fluids from his body and to attempt to control the pain. Also, as a result of the fluid intake during surgery, Jeff had swollen to the point that they were not able to fully close his incision. They were able to do that on Thursday.
"They pulled the breathing tube Thursday and he has been doing great since then. He has been groggy, but very aware of what's been going on. It sounds as though today (Dec. 25) they will be moving Jeff from the ICU to the 'floor' as they call it. That is where he will continue his recuperation until the third surgery happens sometime in the new year. No dates have been set yet."
