Thank you Dr. Sampson!!

THE TUMOR IS GONE!!!! Dad got out of surgery today at about 4:00 pm. The surgery only lasted 8 hours, opposed to the 10-12 hours which we were expecting. Dr. Sampson was able to get the entire tumor out.

I got to see day for a short while in the ICU around 7 this afternoon and he was awake and alert, although he was pretty cranky and a little confused which were expected side effects of the anesthesia. He was making jokes and giving the nurses hell. He has some swelling, another thing that we were told was inevitable with this type of operation. The swelling should subside a lot tonight and in the coming days and he we be moved from ICU or sent home.

Thanks to everyone for all of the kind words, well wishes, and prayers. It means more than you could know. Just one move favor, lets all send some prayers and positive energy out there in hopes that he will be able to come home as soon as possible. He has already made it clear that he is ready to get back to the "Ponderosa".

No clever title this time :b

Just wanted to let everyone know that we are here in Durham and everything is going as planned. Yesterday dad did a lot of pre-op stuff, meeting with the anesthiologist, some kinda special MRI, etc. Today they embolized the tumor, which means that they put some type of microscopic particals in the veins that feed the tumor so that the tumor will stop getting any blood supply and begin to die tonight. They still haven't told us what time they will start the surgery tomorrow. That seems to me the million dollar question :b.

Dad has been admitted into the hospital and will spend one night in the room he is in now. After the surgery he will be put in the ICU and probably remain pretty heavily sedated until Friday morning. He is in good spirits despite a really bad headache, which the docs said to expect after the embolization.

Thats about all for now. Please keep the thoughts and prayers coming. We appreciate you all!