Day of Surgery, 4pm

YEAH !! The good news came at 12:30pm when Dr. McGillvary came to the waiting room looking for Anne's family. He took us aside into a private room and explained that he was extremely pleased with how the surgery went, and with how Anne was doing.

He stated the tumor was small and that he had removed it. He explained that he removed the 2 lymphnodes that previously had been detected with cancer, and all other lymphnodes in the general area anywhere near those. He said he completed the planned work of removing Anne's esophagus, some of the stomach, reconstructed and moved the stomach, and connected it to her throat. It took 5 hours to do so.

The surgeon explained that Anne may only have to eat thru a feeding tube while she is in the hospital, in other words, she may be eating somewhat normally when she get's to go home. I'm relieved with that news as I wasn't looking forward to that training class or the process. By the way, the insurance company has authorized 9 days in here, but I don't think Anne will stay 'in' that long.

Paul, the excellent facilitator of the waiting room informed us that Anne wouldn't actually be going to ICU from Recovery as we expected. Rather, she'll be going directly from the Recovery area to the Richard's wing room 326.

About an hour after talking with Dr. McGillvary in the waiting area we were allowed to go in and see Anne in the recovery area. Anne had her eyes open and felt well enough to talk and try to crack some 'funnies', as usual. Don't get me wrong, she was extremely drugged and groggy, but using her thumb and index finger she grabbed a couple short hairs on top of her head before anouncing to the nurse that she'd like her to 'pull her puppet string' to raise her head a little bit. I just tried to encourage her, and let her know how well she did, how well Dr. McGillvary had done, and let her know that she was 'all fixed'.

Anne was moved up to the Richard's wing room 326 around 4pm. This is one of a number of COR rooms here (continual observation room). She'll be closely monitored here until she is moved again.

At this point, 6pm, Anne isn't having alot to say. She is trying to rest, and the nurses are just trying to make Anne more comfortable. Anne has alot of pain in one side of her neck where there is a large incision. For this pain she can push a morphine button every 10 minutes in order to get 2mgs pumped in. There is another large incision across her stomach. Anne has an epidural form of anesthesia in place which is there to take care of her lower torso including the stomach area. I think that is pumped into here lower back, but I don't know how long she'll have that installed. She hasn't complained about her stomach yet.

All in all, we're just so pleased with how the day went, how Anne is doing, and especially with the comments made by Dr. McGillvary. He gave us the report we had hoped for. The cancer 'mind game' is over now and I can tell that Anne is very much relieved. She can now focus solely on getting better.

Thanks to all again and again for your well wishes, thoughts, cards, and prayers.

Day of Surgery, 11am

We arose today at 4:30am which enabled us to get to Maine Medical Center ASU at 6.

Anne slept well overnight and was very relaxed and ready this morning.

By 7:15am I was saying good-bye to Anne as the doctors took her into another room for anesthesia. She was ready. She is expected to be in the OR for up to 6 hours, and in recovery for up to 5-6 hours as well. I may get in to see her during recovery for 5 minutes or so, but that's it.

It will be a long day of waiting, but I am encouraged (now 11am) since 'no news is good news' at this point in time. Wouldn't want the surgeon to give up early, so I'm relieved to know Dr. McGillvary is still in there doing his job, taking care of Anne.

We look forward to some good news today around 1pm.

Thanks for reading, praying, etc. Anne is comforted to know that you are all concerned for her, and (again) knowing there's an army of folks praying for her is very good medicine. It really helps. Thank you for being there.

More to come...........