All clear

Tim had his CT scan and the news is a resounding "all clear". He has to go back to the doctor in a week or so to get the go ahead to resume his normal duties at work and then it will be 3 months before he has to go back.

Whew, what a roller coaster of emotions we've had over the last month. I'm so thankful that everything turned out well. It sure has reminded me of how fragile this life really is. You just never know how much time we have left on this Earth or when we might loose someone we love. I really want to live more like each day could be the last day. It's hard to do when we get caught up in the whirlwind and stress of life but I'm really going to work on it.

On a lighter note, Tim had better watch out because when he gets released to regular duty at work he's going back to regular duty at home and there are some garbage bags and recycling with his name on them.

**Sidenote: The sun has been shining more around here and there are buds on some of the trees. I'm starting to get some serious spring fever. The downside is that is shows all the cobwebs and dust in my house and I'm thinking I'll have to fire that housekeeper of mine. Oh wait, that's me. I'm going to give myself a stern talking to at the very least.

The news is good

We had a doctor appointment late this afternoon and found out that it is cancerous. The good news is that they feel that it was fully contained within the tumor that was removed and is the most common type of cancer for that area of the body. They will schedule a CT scan shortly of his chest and abdomen to make sure that it hasn't spread but the doctor feels the chances are good that it hasn't. He may have to have radiation but it's not likely. He will be followed up with every 3 months with scans etc. for a couple of years and then probably yearly after that for up to 10 years just to make sure nothing happens.

We feel really blessed because this is the best news we could have gotten short of it being benign. The chances of Tim never having any furthers issues are 95 % which sounds pretty good to me.

Thank you to everyone that has prayed for us and all the well wishes. It really did make a difference during this stressful time.

Now I would like to go to bed and stay there for a few days. Yes, that sounds good.

And now we wait

I am happy to report that the surgery went well. Tim is home and upstairs sleeping. They had some trouble getting an IV in him. Poor guy looks like a pin cushion. He has a pretty good size incision but the doctor said everything looked as he expected it to and there was no obvious sign of it spreading.

Now we wait for the results to get back and then go from there. Thank you so much for all the thoughts and prayers. I could feel them for sure. We are so blessed to have so many good friends and the best church family in the world.

Life can change on a dime

I've debated about posting about this but in the interest of recording the goings on of the Kelley family I have decided to go ahead. We've always been an open about what's happening our lives whether that be good or bad. I'm also of the mind that the more prayers the better so bring it on..LOL

Tim is having surgery tomorrow. We have to be at the hospital at 545am and he's set for 730am. They will be removing a tumor that they are about 90 % sure is cancerous. It's been a few days shy of two weeks since he started this process by seeing his family doctor. He sent him for a ultrasound last Wed, we saw the surgeon Tuesday and the surgery is tomorrow. Sometimes, as you know, things can drag along and I'm happy this is moving so swiftly. Think "Lance Armstrong" cancer and we'll leave it at that. This is a G rated blog after all.

They will remove the tumor, send it to be tested which will take anywhere from 5 to 10 days and then let us know what we're dealing with. There is a chance that it will be benign but the doctor feels pretty sure it won't be. The good news is that this type of cancer is VERY treatable. Even if it has spread. It's the number one cancer that men get. In Lance Armstrongs case, it had spread to his abdomen and even his brain and they were able to treat him and he has made a full recovery. After the surgery, Tim will then have more diagnostic tests, CTI's, MRI's, etc to determine if it has made it's way anywhere else in the body.

Tim is nervous and little scared (okay, me too) but I feel confident that it will all be okay. Might be a bumpy road but we're ready for it. The hardest part will be the waiting after the surgery to find out what we're dealing with. I'm not good at waiting. Patience is not a virtue I possess. I know, big surprise for those who know me.

I'll be taking time off work to help him recover as they do have to make a several inch incision in his abdomen. I'm so thankful for my faith and for this gospel. I feel so blessed to have such a wonderful group of friends and family that have already offered help. I do so love this gospel. I'm not sure how people get through this kind of stuff without it.

I'll post more when I know more.