Update-Out of Recovery

We just got to see Mom since she was taken to surgery. They let us say hello on the way from the recovery room to the SICU. She looked good, all things considered. She said she thought the epidural was working well......

We just got the crap scared out of us. They just called a "Code Blue, Surgical ICU" I ran down there to see people coming out of her room. Just when the moment of panic set in to try to bust down the door, her ICU nurse came out of her room saying, "Sorry guys, that was an accident." Yes, an accident. They hit the Code Blue button by mistake. Well, they passed the test when it comes to responding to codes here.

Anyways, as I was saying, she said the epidural was working well and she didn't look like she was in too much pain. I'm sure she is still very sedated, but she looks good. We'll get to go in and see her in about an hour.

Update-Mom Is Out Of Surgery

Dr. Seligson just came to talk to us. Mom just got out of surgery about 10 minutes ago. The tumor and right upper lobe were removed. He said it was complicated because on the bronchoscopy he saw the tumor protruding into the mainstem bronchus. This creates a complication because you can't just cut through it like you normally would, you have to cut above and below the tumor and then put the two pieces back together again. Which according to him takes an extra hour. He said that the right upper lobe had not been getting any air for some time and it was rather infected. Like I said, she just got out of surgery so we're still trying to comprehend all of this (it's not like she's in labor where I know what all can be expected). She will be in recovery for about an hour or two then she will move to the surgical ICU (SICU). She is at an extremely high risk for pneumonia and plugging of the airways because the normal phlegm can't move up and out like normal for a couple weeks. In addition, more prayers were answered...it is NON-SMALL CELL, just what we wanted, the lesser of the two evils. We'll update again once we get to see her in the SICU. By the way, Dr. Seligson has completed a 6x bypass surgery and Mom's surgery today and is now going to go sit with her while she wakes up. This man is AMAZING!!!

Update-So Far So Good

Mom is still in surgery. They told us the thoracotomy would take about two to three hours, and then she will be in the recovery room for at least an hour, and then it will be one to two hours to get her settles into her ICU room before we can see her. We are anxiously waiting to hold her hand and tell her how much we lover her. We figure at this point, and as Mary Sue told us, that no news is good news. Mom will remain in the surgical ICU for at least two days. She will most likely be here for at least a week. Thank you Pastor Kent for all your support and encouragement today. With the Lord, you helped make today much more bearable. We'll keep you all posted as soon as we know more!

Update-Prayers Answered!

Mary Sue, the nurse liaison just gave us an update. THE LYMPH NODES ARE CLEAR!!!! They just turned Mom and started the thoracotomy the take the lobe out with the tumor in it. According to Mary Sue, Dr. Seligson was very surprised that the nodes were clear due to the size of the tumor. Thank you all for your prayers! They have been answered! Again, more updates to come

Update

The nurse liaison just gave us an update on Mom. She's been in the OR now for an hour. She didn't have any specific details just that things were proceeding without complication. She didn't know if they started the mediastinoscopy (step 2) yet or not. We figure the longer it takes, the more they're doing, (as in getting it out). I'll keep posting more updates as we know.

It's on...

I know you all have been chomping at the bit for an update. As some of you may know, Mom's surgery got bumped to a later time. She got bumped for a heart patient that was requiring extensive bypass surgery. We pray for strength and a speedy recovery for him/her and the family. Mom got her epidural placed and just got wheeled into the OR. We are in the ICU waiting room awaiting news for a long surgery. No, it's not mean to ask for that, it means that the lymph nodes are clear and they can proceed with the thoracotomy to remove the lobe. Thank you all for you prayers and well-wishes. Today has been extremely difficult and emotional for Mom and us. Please pray for her. She is one heck of a fighter so this cancer will not keep her down!

Great Friends, Great Times!

Here are a few pictures from last night's festivities. Thank you Nici, Stef, Terry, Mark and everyone else for a wonderful evening!

Terry, Mom, Mark

Mom & Terry

The Beatty Bunch-Dad, Mom, Jenny, Jodie, Jason

Cass County Fair Gate Bit, umm, Attendants

Front L to R: Becky, Mom, Kathy
Back L to R: Holly, Cindy, Nici, Bev, Jenny, Lisa, Sharon

Mark & Scott

In celebration of the 25th anniversary of "The Table Dance",

Terry & Mom dancing to Jose Cuervo

And, yes, even Bob & Tim got into the spirit

(it's been 5 years since their first dance)

Norm, Mom, Dad, Steve, Donna

Tomorrow is the big day. We will be updating this as soon as we know anything. She is a strong woman that is one heck of a fighter, so we know she will be just fine. Thank you all again for your continued support, prayers, and well wishes.