Here we are at the end of a long good day!

When this day started Stephen and I were not thinking surgery.  We knew it was a possibility but were hopeful, actually I felt confident, that with a little more time, things would be resolved and we wouldn't be pressed into making a decision about surgery because afterall we had radiation treatments to get ready for and Steve had a conference to go to on Saturday.  So when the surgeon came in and announced to Steve that the xray showed that there had been no improvement and that he wanted to do surgery today, this morning, now !Steve wasn't ready, and I was on my way to the hospital, my arms full of computers, and knitting supplies and books to share the day of waiting with Steve. I definitely did not want to think about  surgery.  We both felt swept along heading where neither of us wanted to go. Things clearly were out of control!

Dr. Altimari's cheerful confidence  was in stark contrast to how we were feeling. Around every corner we met people who were compassionate and  sympathetic about all Steve's been through--and while the conscensus was that he is too young to be dealing with all this, nevertheless in no time at all Steve was listed as an "add-on" to the surgery schedule, IV lines were put in and blood was drawn.  Then he was gone and I made my way to the surgery waiting area wondering how this day had gotten so out of hand!

Three hours later Dr. Altimari came down the hall to the consultation room relaxed and smiling.  Everything he had hope to do had been done.  He was very pleased with how things had gone and confident that Steve was going to be too.

Stephen's resting quietly now, pain is being managed and healing is underway.  Healing that will be benefit him in the near future and in the days, months, years ahead.

Thankyou Dr. Altimari, nurses, patient care coordinator, family, friends for taking the lead in making this hard decision for this day.  Thanks for the compassion and understanding and for holding us on course for healthier days ahead. 

What Stephen and I dreaded alot is done and healing is happening.  We're very thankful for everyone who helped us through this day and for God Who was today, and will be tomorrow, our Refuge and Strength, our ever-present Help in trouble.

Next update, Stephen will speak for himself!

Thanks for everything. 

Bev