SUCCESS.....Pam 1; Cancer 0!!!!!!

Great news from the Dr. even though it took an extra 1hr. 45 min.

Pam is in recovery now so it will be approx. 45 minutes or more before we can see her.

They were able to take only 1/3 of her kidney instead of all of it which is great news. This means that should something happen to her other kidney later in life; this one should basically be able to act on its own as well.

The mass that was removed was frozen and examined and it was def. cancer which was very against the odds due to her age and health etc. Due to the relatively small size due to early detection; she has a 95-97% recovery rate and a 1-3% chance of recurrence.

Now I know part of the reason Pam is such a good athlete (besides her will); her lung was 1 rib longer than the average so they had to move that out of the way during the procedure before moving it back and refilling it with oxygen. This is part of what led to the procedure taking a little longer.

Pam should be released in 3-5 days but we will keep you posted as we see her in her room. Until then; it is a small liquid only diet and rest for the rest of today. Tomorrow we will attempt food and short walking distances.

Thanks for everyone's well wishes and love today.

PAM WINS, CANCER LOSES!!!!!

Bill, Carol, and I will be in the cafeteria eating and relaxing until we can see her at which point we will update you more.

Love,
Ryan

Surgery "Closing"

Just got a phone call from the operating room that surgery is "closing" and that it won't be long at all at this point.

No other news yet but I would imagine we will have the doctor coming to keep us in the loop very shortly.

Check back very soon!!!!

P.S. Just before that; I got off the phone with one of our top wedding reception spots and they will continue to hold the date for us. Date and location to come in the future (from Pam).

Surgery Update....."Going Well"

Sitting in the waiting room and Bill and Carol are reading (Carol is determined to finish her cat book and Bill is reading tech magazines).

Just got an update that there was a phone call from OR Suite 14 (the operating room). "It will take a while longer but everything is going well so far." The receptionist that took the call didn't have any further details such as if they are still taking 2/3 of the kidney or the whole kidney out.

P.S. Edwards has a really nice cafeteria and surgery waiting area!!! On a side note; I think you have to have a PHD just to work the fancy coffee/hot chocoate machine. It is pretty full in the waiting area right now.

See you all again soon.

Successful Pre-Op....Surgery begins!

Pam had an early morning and was up at 4 so we could be here at the hospital by 5:30. She is done with Pre-op stuff and has been very calm and relaxed and in good spirits so far.

Bill and Carol arrived before 7 and are doing well also.

Pam just went in to surgery a half hour ago and Bill, Carol and I are in the cafeteria having breakfast and coffee.

Stay tuned as we should know more in 2.5 hours as the plan is still to try and remove 2/3 of the kidney at this point, although they said it will be tough and we may have to end up removing the whole kidney.

Thanks to everyone (Pam's friends and my friends as well) who sent cards, emails, phone calls, and Facebook messages yesterday and last night. We are truley blessed to have so many caring friends and relatives and such a large support network.

See you all again in a few hours.

Surgery update....

HI Everyone....It's been a really long time since I last wrote on the blog. There have been some exciting things over the past few months and also some little bumps in the road. By now, I know most of you know about the surgery I am about to undergoe tomorrow. I appreciate the long emails, phone calls, text messages, cards, thoughts, prayers...the list is endless. I thought that the blog would be the best way to keep you all updated on a regular basis. Ryan will update it tomorrow or today when you read this and when I can keep my eyes open long enough, I will update this too. Thank you again for all your support. I welcome you to join me on this journey. It sure does help knowing you are all there for me and my family. Love you guys!!

Under Construction

Hello, this site will be under construction until further notice.....I am sure you are really disappointed........ :) See you all soon!!!!!

I turned 31!!!

Some of you might remember I started this blog a year ago on my 30th bday....I have enjoyed doing it, but know I have slacked a bit. Its so hard to keep up with facebook and all the others...I do truelly enjoy all of yours. As this new year falls upon me, I promise to be better and keep you all in the loop of my 31st year.

My bday cake from my friend Megan

At Jenny's 30th on Saturday the 24th
Amy, Marina, myself, Jenny and Kristin