Pre-op stuff

We are sitting in a motel room in the Alamo City as the sun sets, marking the end of another Lord's Day. On our 99th trip to San Antonio since 2003, we decided to stay in close proximity to Medical Center here for at least a few days. I will go in tomorrow morning for pre-registration and blood work, EKGs, urinalysis and X-rays in preparation for the surgery on Tuesday morning. The girls are heading this way as I write and are planning to stay through at least Wednesday. Having a room within a few minutes of the hospital will make it nice and handy for Helen and them.

Surgery is scheduled for 9:30 Tuesday. The plan is the same as it was in February for my left lung. Hopefully, a thorocoscopy will be all that's necessary. Three incisions are made, the lung is collapsed, the doctor goes between the ribs to cut out the tumors, and the lung is stapled closed. If he is unable to do what needs to be done, the more invasive thorocotomy would be done in which a very large incision is made, a rib or two is broken, and the tumors are removed. Obviously, we are hopeful that the former is done and not the latter. My hospital stay should be anywhere from three to ten days, depending on how it goes. We plan to be in San Antonio for at least a week, but we are prepared for longer if necessary. I will probably miss four or five weeks or work as well.

Dad's condition has improved some in the past week, making our decision to proceed with the surgery a lot easier. He still has a long way to go, but we are thankful for the progress we have seen.

Helen will get the word out at least to a few people how things are going on Tuesday. She or one of the girls may post on this blog on Tuesday. I will update as soon as I am up to it. But if you have the urge to call, feel free. If the call comes in at a bad time, we just won't answer.

We know many of you are lifting us up to the Lord. We are confident in Him and trust Him for the outcome. He never fails us!

We love you all!

Kenny and Helen