All your prayers for sleep were answered. Here's how... From just after 7:00pm until just before midnight, Edward was able to sleep on my lap. This break allowed Emilie to go home and tuck Henry into bed like he's used to and give her a well-earned few hours of freedom. When she returned, Edward transferred nicely and I headed home. The rest of the night was a bit rough but better than it has been. Edward's improved condition is due in large part to excellent nurses like Tawna, Catherine, and others who have helped get his pain under greater control. Catherine, for example, even tracked down Dr. Robertson in the operating room to get an order for more effective pain medication... bravo![...]

About an hour ago, an oncology resident stopped by Edward's room to let us know that his bone marrow is completely free of cancer. Praise the Lord! We still haven't talked with his oncologists directly, but obviously this is very good news. =) However, another wrinkle in Edward's progress has developed. During his morning visit, the surgeon, Dr. Robertson, noticed a milky fluid in Edward's chest tube. Apparently during the surgery, the thoracic duct was damaged somehow which has resulted in a chyle leak.[...]

It's just after 9:00pm and Edward's big day is all done. The surgery that was expected to take about 3.5 hours took closer to 5.5 hours. Here's why... Instead of being intertwined with the sympathetic nerve bundle as anticipated, the offending tumor was instead in close proximity and even connected to one or more of the brachial plexus trunks. These nerves control the muscles of the arm and hand (in this case the left) and Dr. Robertson wanted to take his time and be extra cautious when working in such close quarters to preserve these important nerve pathways.[...]

All three procedures are finished and we're waiting to be able to visit Edward in post-op. More information and pictures will be posted soon(ish). =)[...]

During his pre-op visit, the surgeon, Dr. Robertson, explained that the tumor's location was close to or likely even intertwined with a bundle of small nerves near the intersection of Edward's neck and left shoulder. He let us know that often when a tumor is resected from that area that the resultant nerve damage could cause Horner's Syndrome.

We just received word from the OR that the tumor is not attached to that those nerves and thus Horner's Syndrome will likely not result. However, the tumor is apparently wrapped around some nerves to his left arm and that the surgeon is taking his time to make sure to avoid damaging those nerve structures. Looks like the operation will be longer than expected but that the procedure is still going well. We should have another update in another hour or so. 

Thanks for your continued prayers, especially at this time.    [...]

We're checking in and Edward is quite displeased with the pre-op dietary restrictions (no solid food after midnight, no breast milk after 6:30am, and no clear liquids after 8:30am)! At least he's still breastfeeding so was able to have an early morning snack. =)

The procedure(s) is expected to take 3.5 hours, so hopefully we'll have more news later this evening. [...]

2014

Friday, Feb 14 - Emilie noticed Edward had a slight tremor.[...]

This week we found out that our youngest son, Edward, has cancer. Now let me explain how that sounds worse than it actually is and how the Lord is demonstrating His incredible goodness in this situation. [...]