An Update on Holbrook

First, I want to thank you all for your wonderful prayers for my amazing oncologist Holbrook. I was stunned by how many of you responded to my call to action for him. He was incredibly grateful when I shared your outpouring with him.


Many of you have asked how it went yesterday. At 4 am this morning, Holbrook sent out the following e-mail....

Thank you for your kind words and thoughts. The surgery itself was 3.5 hours, moderate blood loss, bleeding was well controlled and two pins removed from top and 1 from the bottom of the femur holding the rod in place. Titanium rod was literally unscrewed with a special device like removing a flat tire from a car. This part was tougher than expected. The empty bone was inspected and washed with a special device that allowed visualization and culture of the potential infection. Another device was used to search along the bone and biopsy sites to ensure no evidence of bone disease. Closed and now 6 weeks of antibiotics with a fairly strict non-upright recommendation for the beginning of the process, followed by crutches, then toe touch on the left foot. It is unlikely that the bone is strong enough at this point and a personalized knee replacement is being designed to include a knee joint and long stabilizing rod that will act as my femur. This wouldn't be placed till end of March/April. Then... I walk...

Till then, overcoming pain and pain specialists will work with me on the best plan tomorrow. Thank you all again. Wish I was at Stanford.

He is now on the road to recovery. Thank you all again for everything you did yesterday. I just can't wait for him to get back to Stanford!