Where am I?

What a day. I wish I knew how to post a picture to this blog, but I'm too tired to figure that out right now. What I want you all to see are the 25+ letter size pictures I have hung up in Todd's room. I didn't know what to expect from the hospital room, but I knew Todd would be encouraged seeing all your faces on the wall. All your beautiful faces and beautiful places add lots of color to an otherwise drab room.

The day in a nutshell...

3:30am - Todd and I slept until 3:30 and then decided we might as well get up since we knew we'd never get back to sleep. We did sleep quite soundly so I know he started the day off right. Spirits were high as we were just so grateful to be here. The time had finally arrive after 4 months from diagnosis where we could get the damn tumor out.

5:30am - 8am - hospital check in. They pumped him full of all sorts of nice things and the surgeon stopped by to ask if we had any questions. Now, Todd will tell you that throughout this process I have had lists upon lists of questions for everyone. This morning I just looked at Dr. Mann and said, "I don't have any questions. I'm just so happy to be here."

Todd's mom and I traded on and off during this time as only one of us could be with him in the pre-operative area. With encouragement from Todd and me, my parents stayed at the hotel so they could come in fresh during the second half of the day.

8am - noon - Todd's surgery started about 9am. Todd's mom stayed at the hospital and I went back to the hotel to catch some rest and pack up for the move into Todd's room later today.

noon-ish - Surgery went well. Once the tumor and Todd's kidney was out, the radiation oncologist was brought in to begin his task of radiating any microscopic bits of left over tumor stemming from the point of origin - Todd's back muscle.   This part took a long time. While the radiation lasts only 90 seconds, it takes almost that long in minutes to align the operating table, the radiation machine, Todd, his body parts, etc.

1:30pm - Dr. Kim, the radiation oncologist swung by to give his report. It was so nice to see him, I gave him a big hug! He told me it would be another 1-2 hours for Dr. Mann to reattach Todd's colon, and put him all back together.

3pm-ish - These people are pretty good with their time estimations. Dr. Mann came by the waiting room and I was so excited to see him I jumped up and followed him right into the private room, forgetting to invite the rest of the family to join us. He gave me the run down of surgery and what to expect this week.

We don't know when we will be home exactly, but we know we will likely stay 5-7 days in the hospital.

4:45pm - Todd was wheeled over to his room and I was able to come in and see him. He was chatting up the pretty nurses and was more coherent that I expected. I will say that it is really hard to see someone you love shaking and pale. The first question Todd asked was, "Did they get it all?"

I was so happy to reply that indeed they had and they used radiation to make sure it never comes back. I told Todd prior to surgery that if he sees me crying after surgery, it might not be bad news, I've been crying a bit this week, but I haven't been sad. I'm so happy to be here, to be with Todd and to know that all of you love us so much and have been with us every step of the way. We are so blessed!

5:15pm - The parents took off to grab dinner and I stayed to set up shop. Right now it's about 6:30 and all I want to do is be like Todd and sleep, sleep, sleep. I just can't seem to though as I just can't seem to take my eyes off of the most beautiful person I've ever met - my brave, handsome (and now snoring) husband.

Love to all! I'll be back in touch later this week.