Mom and Dad are on the way back home from Vanderbilt tonight. They met with the nurse of the neurosurgeon who is doing the biopsy and they had another MRI done. Dad was just a slight bit steadier than yesterday, so they did not put him in a wheelchair. Kristie said that Dad has been very quiet all day. The confusion is not much worse than yesterday, however almost everything he says now makes no sense. Kristie and I are going to start spending the night at their house tonight, either in the kitchen or the living room, to help Mom monitor his movements during the night. He tends to wander, and we are afraid he might leave the house or try to drive. We just don't know what his thought processes are right now.

His surgery is scheduled for 1PM Monday. They will have to shave his whole head (Dad was proud of the hairs that he had, so this will be hard for him). His surgery will last between 4 to 5 hours, and he will be waking up in the operating room. At least he will be asleep for the actual surgery. He will spend the night in ICU, and the plan is for him to go home the next day. Amazing, isn't it? It will take 7 to 10 working days to get the complete pathology report back. Gregory told me last night that they should know right after the surgery if it is lymphoma or glioma, but apparently to have all the details for treatment, we will have to wait. After that, he will be set up with an oncologist. They did give us treatments that are possible for both lymphoma and glioma.

After surgery, Dad will be up and moving every 2 hours. He will have to move around for 10 to 20 minutes, every two hours, while he's awake.

If he has symptoms that involve lots of sleepiness, bad headaches, nausea or vomiting or vision changes before Monday, he is to go to Owensboro Mercy Health System, where they can life flight him to Vanderbilt.

I speak for my whole family when I say the comments that you've made to lift them up, the prayers that you've spoken and your friendship mean more than you will ever know. You really find out who your true friends are during a time like this. We are very blessed to have such a network of friends and family. I don't know what we would do without you. You help to keep us strong. Please don't stop your praying.....Dad's journey is just beginning. I know Jesus will carry him, but sometimes it's hard to keep in mind how strong Jesus' hands are. Doubt sets in, then we are reminded that WE NEED TO KEEP THE FAITH. We have to keep believing that God's hand is in every aspect of Dad's life, and God is in control. Thanks again for all the love, hugs and prayers.

THOSE WHO KNOW YOUR NAME WILL TRUST IN YOU, FOR YOU, LORD, HAVE NEVER FORSAKEN THOSE WHO SEEK YOU.

Psalms 9:10

Much love,

Renee