Surgery Report

My Dad went into surgery around 1:45 p.m. and was out at 4:30 p.m. Dr. Kim said that it went well. He couldn't tell us the number of lymph nodes that he removed, because they were massed together, tangled around his veins and covered in cancer. He said it was more like pulling out a bunch of oranges and he's not sure how my Dad was able to hold his arm down at his side.

After an hour in recovery they moved him to Lakeside 50 20, a special room set up for him by my sweet cousin, Jocelyn. She works on the floor that he is staying on and arranged for a private room for him. THANKS, Jocelyn!! The nurses and students treated my Dad and our family well and with respect. If you know my Dad well, then you know he was goofing off the whole time and joking around to make everyone else feel good.

My Dad said that he feels like there is a real void under his arm and in his side and he was so used to the pressure that it will take some getting used to. My Mom told him it sounded much like childbirth (ha ha!). They were in pretty good spirits.

I left both of my exhausted parents at the hospital tonight and will return tomorrow to take them home. My Mom has vowed to not leave his side.

Thank you to all of you who are praying. We felt your prayers and remain steadfast in our belief that the Great Physician is in complete control of my Dad's and all of our lives. Thank you to Pastor Quick for driving all the way down to Cleveland to pray with us. You lightened the mood and we really appreciated your visit. Thank you to Lori and Tom, our dear friends, who left a meal on my parents' garage door. It is waiting in the fridge for my parents lunch tomorrow. Thank you to my friend Brenda for picking my boys up early this morning, watching them all day and then sending dinner home with Ron when he picked them up. Thank you to all of you for your love, prayers and support. We feel really blessed and we cannot thank you enough.

- Heather Marie for my parents, Steve and Patti