5-10-16

Sorry this is so late, it's been a busy day! Today was the CT scan, and the meeting with the Oncology team and Surgery team to discuss the operation tomorrow. We learned that the tumor is now roughly in between the size of a golf ball and baseball--one measurement down from 13 cm across initially to 3cm!! But it is still wrapped around major things--blood vessels and his kidney in particular. So they will have to "open him up" to remove it, and even then will have to wait and see how it looks. I guess if the cancerous tumor is dead and shriveling up, pulling away from things, the surgeon can kind of peel it back and remove it fairly easily. If it is still embedded in structures/organs he'll have to remove what he can and then we'll still have to deal with what's left. He said on a scale of 1-10, one being a root canal and 10 being a liver transplant (which is ironic he picked that "10", since as some of you know, my sister had a liver transplant), this is an 8.5. It should take 3-5 hours, and begin in the morning, sometime between 9 and 10 they hope. Drew was admitted tonight in order to receive a blood transfusion before the operation. So, I humbly ask all my faithful family and friends to pray for tomorrow. Pray that the tumor is in the best possible state to be removed, and all his organs can be saved (they are particularly worried that he may lose part of or all of his left kidney). That the surgeon is wise and has a steady hand. That Drew's body is strong in every way it needs to be to get through the surgery. For the "peace that surpasses all understanding" to be granted to Josh and I while we wait during what is sure to be the longest 3-5 hours our lives. And for Molly, who has been very emotional these last couple days, undoubtedly aware of so much more then we give her credit for. I will update everyone tomorrow with, God willing, great news!!

The picture is of him this morning before the CT scan, charming the lab tech. He was full of energy today, all the doctors commented on how good he looked. We are so thankful that he's as happy and easy going as he is. Makes it that much easier to deal with all this great trial!

~Heidi