Mom’s Surgery

Some of you know that my Mom was diagnosed in early December… on her birthday unfortunately, with Renal Cell Carcinoma. She has a tumor on her right kidney that was discovered during a routine exam. Fortunately, a urinary infection that was not being resolved with antibiotics led her primary physician to further investigate. An ultrasound and follow-up CT Scan revealed the tumor. Mom’s constant comment has been she doesn’t feel sick. Her oncologist told us on the first visit, “that’s a GOOD thing,” because it means the tumor has been discovered early.

In spite of the seeming desires of the insurance company and the doctor’s office/hospital bureaucracy to stress out Mom, Linn, and me, Mom’s spirits are good! I say this because they have run her through the wringer with yes, no, maybe, date changes, and the like but things seem to finally be ironed out.

Surgery for removal of the right kidney is scheduled for Thursday (Jan. 31) here in Orlando at the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center which is part of Orlando Regional Medical Center. The anticipated procedure is that the doctor will go in near the front which is supposedly less invasive than approaching from the back. The doctor anticipates 4-6 days in the hospital. We’re optimistic that all will go well and Mom will be on the road to recovery soon.

I hope that you will keep Mom in your thoughts and prayers. The surgery is scheduled for 1:00PM.

For those of you who do not know my wonderful mom… her name is Donna.

Thank you all for caring.

I will keep you apprised.

Love…

Dan

PS I called the hospital today and found that they have wireless access for visitors so I’ll be there with laptop in hand taking care of work and staying in touch while Mom’s in surgery and in recovery.