Best Case Senario

SOFT TISSUE, RIGHT SPERMATIC CORD, EXCISION:
- BENIGN FIBROVASCULAR TISSUE, NO EVIDENCE OF MALIGNANCY

LYMPH NODES, PERIAORTIC, DISSECTION:
- NO HISTOPATHOLOGIC ABNORMALITY (6 NODES)

LYMPH NODES, PERICAVAL, DISSECTION
- NO HISTOPATHOLOGIC ABNORMALITY (5 NODES)

And there we have it. I had my follow up appointment today, two weeks after my surgery, and the news could not have been better. Everything came back good. What this means is that I am for all intents and purposes cancer free! Well, not completely 100% guaranteed - there is still a microscopic chance something went to the lungs. Because of that, I will be closely monitored for the next 5 years. The first two years are the important ones. For the first year, I'll have to get blood work and chest x-rays every two months. After a year, it goes to every three months, and will get progressively more infrequent with each remaining year. I'll take that over any more CT Scans and surgery!

Speaking of surgery - I'm recovering quite well. My little holes are healing nicely, I'm not in any pain and have resumed working. The only limitations I have is that I can't hold Victoria for very long.

Thanks again to everyone who have been so supportive during these past 3 months!

Surgery Recap

I'm back from my luxurious 2-night stay at the UVa Medical Center. I'm feeling OK - I'm sore, but not as bad as my first surgical procedure in December.

As requested, Meredith and I arrived at UVa around 9:30am, and then proceeded to wait for about two hours. The laproscopic surgery was done with a robot and took about 5 hours to do. I really can't give much more detail about it, because I was out the entire time. What I can say is that they shaved my belly and poked 5 holes in me. (I look like the 40-Year-Old Virgin after a mob hit.) I was told that the procedure went as smoothly as possible, and that to the naked eye, nothing looked wrong. The removed lymph nodes will be sent off to a lab for biopsy, and we'll know the result by the time I have my follow up visit on the 25th. They kept me at the hospital long enough to be sure I could walk, go to the bathroom, and eat solid foods without any difficulty.

So now I'm home. I have to wear these TED stockings as much as possible to help prevent blood clots, I'm forbidden from lifting anything heavier than a full gallon jug for at least 4 weeks (That in particular will suck, as my daughter weighs significantly more than a milk jug), and I have my good friend Percoset to ease any pain.

I want to sincerely thank everyone who kept me and my family in their thoughts and prayers during this unfortunate time. I greatly appreciate it and I am humbled to have so many caring friends.

3 Favors

The Good News: After working a minimum of 5 hours every day for the past 41 days, I'll have the next 5 days off.

The Bad News: I won't get to enjoy it.

Those of you who have been reading my blog, communicating with me on Facebook, or have had actual human contact with me know that tomorrow I'm going to the hospital for more surgery. If I'm lucky, this will be the last thing ever removed from my body. Today I get to prep by drinking like a fish and eating nothing but jello or chicken broth. The surgery is set for 10:00AM tomorrow, and I'll be spending a minimum of one night there. My personal hope is that I'm home by Valentine's Day. I'm sure my wife will post updates on her Facebook and MySpace pages, but I'll give a complete report when I am able to get back online.

So while I was thinking how I was going to word this post, I thought of the concept of asking for 3 favors - one for me, one for yourself, and one for someone else. All 3 are quick and simple to do, and it would mean a lot if anyone reading this performed these small tasks.

A Favor For Me - I'm a big proponent of the power of prayer. I honestly believe it is our greatest weapon against all the crap that happens in our lives. So, tomorrow, I ask you say a small prayer for me, that my surgery goes well and my recovery is swift. Nothing fancy. And for those of you who don't have the Lord on speed-dial, sending warm happy thoughts my way works too.

A Favor For Yourself - Give yourself a test. The ball got rolling (literally!) on all this when I checked myself and found a lump. It easy to do, doesn't take long and can be done in the privacy of the shower. Don't know what to look for? Click here if you're a guy or here if you're a gal.

A Favor For Someone Else - I've been meaning to post this for awhile, and now is good a time as any. Go to The Breast Cancer Site and click on the link to donate a mammogram to someone who may need it. It doesn't cost anything!

Thanks again for all the support. I'll see you in a few days!