Successful Surgery!

This morning at 9AM Marce received an injection of radioactive marker to identify what are known as "sentinal nodes", which are the first nodes upstream from her cancer in her lymphatic system. Thankfully we didn't have to wait in the hospital until her 2:30PM surgery, so the hospital cut us loose to do what we wanted. We drove downtown, hit the mall and found an appropriate pink outfit for Marce to wear home on Wednesday. We returned in the early afternoon, but had to wait until 3:30 before she went into the operating room. Waiting was tough, especially since they were later than planned.

At 5:30PM Dr. Hanson came out and gave us the good news that the operation was a success, and that her sentinal nodes did not show signs of cancer. This "quick look" report tends to be 80% accurate, so we are hopeful the final pathology report will confirm no cancer in her lymph nodes. This is the #1 factor in determining Marce's long-term survival, as it dramatically lowers the risk that the cancer has spread in her body. The #2 factor will be the size of the tumor, which will also be determined in pathology later this week. At 6:30 I met Marce in her room, along with her mother Alene and oldest daughters Michelle and Meagan. We are all so thankful for the good news, although Marce still is struggling with the entire ordeal. Her pain is fairly low, and if things go to plan she should be released tomorrow. I am staying with her in the hospital tonight.

We want to thank everyone for their love, flowers, emails, phone calls, meals and support. While we still have a tough road ahead of us, we are thankful for the results of the surgery today. We are thankful to God for his mercy which endures forever!

Marc