Hi everyone,
Denise I am sorry I did not call you, I had Marc's cell and couldn't figure out how to check the voicemail (Should have had a lesson yesterday)
Marc is doing well. He is in the ICU and will be there for a day or two. They were able to remove the entire tumor and only had to "scrape" it off the kidney, rather than remove part or all of it. That is the good news. The not so good news is that they had to open him up completely to do it. We were hoping they could do it laproscopicly (sp) but they couldn't do it that way and save the kidney. Dr. C thought it best to make the large incision and not have to take the kidney and of course I agreed. It is a huge incision though. Basicly it is horizontal from his havel clear around to the middle of his back. The healing will take much longer this way, but it is still for the best I think. I don't know if a lot of you know, but his neck is pretty much fixed with very little movement due to arthritis. Consequently the anethesiologist had a really difficult time intubating him. As a result his neck, nose and shoulders are very very sore, and between all of that and the large incision, Dr. C opted for ICU for a couple of days so they can take extra care with him. (Of course I agreed imediatly.... I know he deserves nothing but the best!!)
In any case he was in pain and will be very sore in a lot of places for a while, but he will be fine. The Dr. didn't mention anything about cancer when we talked (and I was so releved I forgot to ask!) so I think we have sucessfully doged that one.
All in all an extremely long day. You all are right about the waiting. I feel like I was just sitting and holding my breath for hours. I am so releived that today is over annd I can breathe again. No doubt this has been the longest day of my life.
Thank you all so much for praying for him (us) (and the Drs too!) and for sending your thoughts and positive energy our way today. I KNOW IT HELPED.
I've got a few more calls to make and then I am going to FALL into bed. I'll report more when I can. I am going to print this thread and take it to him tomorrow. I know it will mean a lot to him. I waited until I knew he was off the computer to post last night, because I know he doesn't like to be the center of attention. At the same time I really wanted you all to think of us and pray for us... we needed it today.
Again, THANK YOU ALL so much for caring. :lct:
