Surgery here we come!

Hi Everyone,
As I have already posted, Earl's tumor has started to grow again, and the next treatment option is surgery. We saw the surgeon on Thursday (May 19th) and we are happy to report that he is prepared to operate on Earl. The surgery will be a lot more advanced than I had ever imagined but we are thrilled (Earl is bursting at the seams) and anxious to get it done. The surgery will involve 3 surgeons the Urologist for the removal of the kidney, the Cardiac surgeon to remove the tumor from the heart and a Vascular surgeon to assess and remedy the veins. The surgery will involve the opening of Earl's sternum again and a procedure called cardiac pulmonary bypass where the stop Earl's heart and cool down his body. The surgeon says he wouldn't perform this on most patients, but Earl is young (feisty) healthy other than the cancer and has a strong will to live. Earl loved the surgeon immediately upon seeing him dressed in scrubs with a hoodie with the words H O C K E Y written across the front

This week Earl will have some tests and will have an appointment with the two other surgeons. He has to be off chemo for 3-4 weeks, so I am guessing that the surgery will take place sometime between June 6th and 14th.

He plans to have lots of fun and get lots of rest in the time leading up to the surgery.

When the time comes you can email him by going to forms.manitoba-ehealth.ca/sbh/wellwishes/default.php and following the directions. I will post the details when we have them. you can also contact me at my email address hopkins5@mts.net

Please add Earl and his doctors to your prayer list .

May Update

Hello Everyone,

Well as May begins, we here in Winnipeg have snow on the ground. After a beautiful week of warm weather and neighbors raking and yard cleaning we have snow. Go figure!

Snow on the ground and bad news from the Dr. seems to start a theme here, but the snow will melt and Earl will beat this cancer! I am sure of that. Just as we can't see or feel the wind...we know it is there and Just as we can't see or feel Jesus we know He is here and present in our lives!!!!! We believe and trust in the power of Jesus and we know he loves Earl....so think about that for a little while....and say a little prayer for Earl as you read the rest of this post.

We saw the oncologist last Tuesday and the results of the latest CT Scan show that the tumor in his kidney and IVC (vena cava) this means that the chemo has stopped working and we move on the the next treatment. Even though in the beginning the docs, said Earl's condition was non operable...they feel it is operable now. The chemo worked enough that they are willing to give it a try, so Earl has been referred to a oncologist/urologist for surgical consideration and/or chemoemoblization.

Please pray that the referral process will go quickly and that we will see the surgeon immediately and that he will have a answer for us.

Have a great Sunday,
Debbie