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Adam Lauer DO

Dr Lauer Medical Update June 21, 2024




Hello followers, patients, family and friends!


The past few weeks has been very busy seeking opinions for surgery. My wife Ellen and I visited with hepatopancreatobiliary surgeons and surgical oncologists at Johns Hopkins in Baltimore and Memorial Sloan Kettering in New York City last week. This week we were in Houston at MD Anderson Cancer Center.


I was declined for surgery at Sloan Kettering and MD Anderson. As you may recall, I was also declined for surgery at Mayo Clinic in Minnesota and Dana Farber in Boston. However, a very aggressive and competent pancreas surgeon at Johns Hopkins, Dr. Richard Burkhardt MD, has agreed to take on my challenging case !!!


Pre-operative visit is scheduled July 9th, for surgery on July 12th.


The operation is called the Whipple procedure. In this very complex surgery, the pancreas is removed, 1/3rd of stomach removed, all of the first portion of the small intestine (duodenum) is removed, gall bladder and gall bladder duct are removed. In my case, the portal vein is also removed and reconstructed. The superior mesenteric artery is removed/reconstructed. These vessels control blood to and from the small intestines, so they are very important to reconfigure. Vascular involvement is what makes my surgery so complex. Finally, the stomach and small intestine are reconstructed and reconnected. The liver duct is tied into the small intestine.


This is a blessing! I am extremely excited and looking forward to my surgery. This gives us the best chance for a long term remission or cure.


Could it fail? Yes it could. Could the tumor be too complex to be fully removed? Yes this is possible. Could I die from surgery or complications of surgery? Yes there is a significant risk of this happening, higher than the typical Whipple surgery due to the vascular complexities. Additionally I had very high dose radiation therapy at the Mayo Clinic which will cause scar tissue around the pancreas, possibly preventing completion of the surgery.


However with my positive attitude, my surgeon and his team's innovative capabilities, and our faith in God: Team Lauer believes I will do well and come through the other side of this procedure on July 12th. I will be in the Intensive Care Unit for 24-48 hours, and they will keep me in the hospital for at least 6-7 days if everything goes well. I will be out of work for 1-2 months to recover.


What are my future options if surgery is not successful? The benefit of now being connected with MD Anderson and Sloan Kettering is they have very exciting studies ongoing in the medication treatments of pancreas cancer. There are new immunotherapy drugs in the pipeline as well. They will keep me posted as new drug developments occur. Johns Hopkins is leading the way with surgical interventions, so I have very high confidence that Dr. Burkhardt and his team can help us.


I look forward to seeing you all in the office again sometime very soon. Thank you all for your patience, your prayers, and your support.


sincerely,

Adam

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22 Comments


Mj Elston
Mj Elston
Jul 24

Adam,

You are an always have been like a son to me,for Over 24 years since Brewer Family practice when I asked if I could have only you as my Dr you have taken the very best care of me an my Husband Lee through it all you have always been positive even in times I wasn't. To me there will be no other like you. Your caring and professional care of me and Lee was the best. I will continue to pray hard for you an you beautiful family. Sending you huge hugs an much love Always

RIP ADAM we love you... until we meet again~

Marsha & Lee Elston

Edited
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Marlene Grover
Marlene Grover
Jul 22

Chip and I have had you in our thoughts and prayers since we heard about your cancer. Hoping and praying surgery went well. You have been an amazing Doctor that gave us the best care always. We hated to have to change Doctors. We will never find an amazing Doctor like you. Prayers you get the best care and all goes great! 🙏🙏🙏🙏 Marlene and Chip Grover

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Kate Fonseca
Kate Fonseca
Jul 21

We are thinking of you, Adam, and hope your surgery went well. Sending love and well wishes for healing to you, Ellen and the kids- Kate and Jay Fonseca

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Benjamin Cyr
Benjamin Cyr
Jul 20

Hope you are doing well !!

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Susan Murphy
Susan Murphy
Jul 16

Adam,

We are wishing you a speedy recovery. Stay positive and remember you are surrounded by folks who care deeply for you and are forever thankful for the kind of doctor and human being you are.

Always in our hearts,

Susan & Bill

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