Hello all,

This is Dennis, Stacy’s husband, dropping in to give you a little update on the days events.  Today, as most of you could realize, has been a roller-coaster of a day.  A lot of anxiety and a little fear from both of us, and a lot of courage and strength from Stacy.  She had to start with a visit to radiology to put a guide wire into the center of the tumor.  The first of many needle pokes for the day…This wire was inserted to give the surgeon a better idea of where the center mark of the tumor resided, and a clearer picture of the what needed to be removed.  This procedure took probably an hour from the time she went back to the lab until it was complete.

From radiology we went to the surgical center.  The Virginia Piper Cancer Center.  There is something about that word that will never sit right.  Went through all the check in stuff, and then they took her back to the pre-op room.  She was back there for a couple hours before the doctor checked in with us and went over everything that was going to happen.  At that point, I said the same prayer I have said many times…”God, let me take this one.  Not her…”.  They finished prepping her and finally got her the “happy juice” and wheeled her back.  Believe me, I knew she was in good hands, and that she had a top notch surgical staff.  Still doesn’t make it easy.

We waited a couple more hours to finally get word.  Doctor said surgery went well.  She biopsied 4 lymph nodes, and they look healthy visually (Praise God!).  We still have to wait a few days to get the pathology report back, but the doctor is optimistic.  We’ll take that!  All in all, the day went as well as it could.  Stacy will be sore the next few days, but she is the toughest woman I know.  She will be OK.  I am sure she will keep you all updated as we move forward.

On a personal note, I want to thank all of you.  Your words of encouragement and support are overwhelming.  The love and care you have shown towards Stacy and our family is so awesome.  We can never repay that, but know it is so deeply appreciated.  Please keep up those prayers!  We aren’t done yet, and this battle has just started.  We have fired the first shot and I know it will be won.  Thank you all!