Rex Harvey cancer surgery coming Feb. 19 at Houston hospital
Rex shares his first update since October 2015
Rex, our decathlon great and leading meet official, continues:
It will be a full surgery again with a full cut from pubic bone to breast bone. They will cut out all the tumors that the chemo did not kill. They may take out spleen as I guess it is not too important for “older” people. And the belly button may go also as it is just a bother at this point.
After the surgery, they will a do a HiPec also where they temporarily sew you up and pump heated chemo fluid through the entire abdomen for an hour or two. And finally the plastic surgeons will come in and fix my big abdominal hernia (6 inches in diameter) that I have left over from the first surgery in 2014.
They will put some mesh in to strengthen the area. I need help from all of you to keep reminding me that I do not lift too much for 6 weeks or so. Don’t want my little beer gut to bulge back out again. I am looking forward to getting this done so that I can continue my too busy life with all of you good friends.
Only 13 hours after Rex posted this on Facebook, he had comments from 80 people — from around the world.
We celebrate your progress as well.
As I noted in my own comment: “The only lifting you do is lift our horizons on how to live courageously and with humor. Be well.”
34 Responses
Best wishes Rex…!
Hoping for a “record-breaking” performance by you and your medical team. Please keep us posted. We’re pulling for you.
Our prayers continue for you Rex.
Pulling for you…stay strong and positive!
Rex, you give new meaning to the expression, “He’s a well-rounded guy.” You are great at (1) competing, (2) officiating, (3) directing events, (4) overcoming massive insults to your body, and (5) keeping calm and even optimistic while this whole medical ordeal is going on.
When I go to bed tonight I will express some hopeful wishes for you.
Rex,
Wishing you a speedy recovery. Everything is going to be alright.
You are the toughest, hardest working guy I know. Must be why you are such a great multi athlete. I don’t know anyone who could manage what you’ve been through and you never lost a step officiating or helping with track & field. Incredible!! Our prayers are with you.
Prayers for a fast recovery, Rex!!
I’m so pleased you are having treatment with a top surgeon. best wishes for a speedy recovery
All the best, Rex, and a speedy recovery.
Praying for you Rex.
My prayers are with you, Rex !
Never, never give up !
Get well – you have been a great mentor –
I am also sending prayers your was Rex. Stay clear of sick poeple while you are going through this. I am going into my second month of chemo now and just picked a stomach virus from a couple of fellow teachers. Not a good combination. My chemo is orally administered so I am sure it is not nearly as taxing as yours. Thinking of you often and remembering you in my prayers.
sending prayers your way (not was)
Your courage and determination is an example to us all. Now in the capable hands of your Oncologists, you are always in our thoughts on this side of the Atlantic. Best wishes for a speedy recovery.
Sorry to hear about your illness, but you couldn’t have picked a better place than MD Anderson to help you kick its butt. Here’s to a speedy recovery!
!
Best wishes for a successful operation and a relatively painless, uneventful and complete recovery. You are in my prayers.
Thinking of you and praying for you Rex..If anyone can beat this…It is you..
Wishing you all the best for a successful op and a speedy recovery. Your many friends in the UK are rooting for you.
Will be thinking of you Rex – and hoping the surgery and treatment is successful, and we see you at the track with a flat stomach! Best wishes for a quick and painless recovery.
Best wishes for you Rex..
Best wishes
Rex our prayers are with you for a successful operation and recovery. You are amazing. George and Kate
Heartfelt wishes for speedy healing!
Rex, The entire Houston Elite family sends out prayers for your recovery. You are a special person to all of us in Masters track and field. Over the years you and I have built a special relationship. I look forward to seeing you in Houston over the next few weeks.
God Bless! May you have more good days. “Fight on!”
I thank you for all you have done to help me.
It sounds like you are definitely in the right place now. I really believe that all will go much better in Houston! Thanks for keeping us enlightened.
PRAYING. WITH GOD’S SPEED OUT RUN CANCER
Praying for you Rex. As you can see by the posts, you have a LOT of support, well wishes and prayers. So happy to hear that you’re in good hands, we’ll all see you in Michigan!
Not that you should have any worries, after a good rest and recovery let us know your back and making a sit-up and push-up challenge to me. Keep in touch.
Rex
My best wishes and best prayers for a full recovery goes out to you!
Rex: Stay strong. Will be thinking of you every day and hope to hear about your full recovery.
Rex, heard from Jeff Downing that you were facing some challenges. Have been trying to find a phone number so we could catch up with you and Joni. Think of you guys often. Norton and ISU was a long time ago. Call if you can. 303-618-5260
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