Full of ups and downs.

These past few days have been like a rollercoaster ride.
After seeing Joe right after his first round of operations, looking so good was definitely a sigh of relief and a very nice surprise.
As we were waiting for him to get through recovery and to his room, my parents spoke to the surgeon and he reported that they believed the cancerous areas were "higher than originally thought". So that meant that they possibly could save the voice box.
We were glad to hear that could be the case... but of course, that was only a possibility... but hey, it was good news.
We went home slightly relieved... and of course.. hanging onto that glimmer of hope.

Joe was released a day later then first anticipated.. but that was ok. They did a few more tests to double check his health status for the next round of surgeries. We went to Joe's apartment to await the delivery of his home care supplies. While we were there, Joe called Dad's cell phone so the surgeon could share his findings.
Sadly, it turns out that their first diagnosis on what would have to be done was correct. :0( and even with all of the surgeries and following treatments, chemo or radiation or both... he only has a 30% chance of beating it and his life expectancy is only for 5 more years.
Now we know people beat this prediction all the time.. but you would hope after jumping through all those hoops.. it would truly give you a better survival rate.
So once again, my dad was dealt a pretty hard blow.. but we all told Joe we supported his decision to go ahead with the surgery and following treatments.
The home care company came and delivered all his supplies.
Later we got home and had to make dinner, since my mom had decided that since Deb and I were there, I guess that we could make it. She sat and read her book. (!)
As we were preparing dinner, Deb decided to start the conversation with Mom as to what news we had been given. Dad explained all the things the surgeon told us.. and Mom just shook her head.. "YEP YEP ok. We will deal with it." that was it.. no shock, sadness or surprise expressed.
I think that kind of took us all back some.
Later that night... Deb and I were trying to figure out just how we were going to go from Harrisburg to Lansdale to Hatboro and get Joe to Thomas Jefferson for his surgery by 6AM! Deb had a great thought...... Hershey Medical center has the Ronald McDonald house for families of patients ... she was sure Thomas Jefferson had to have something. Well they did!
The next morning, we had to go and get Mom for Joe's discharge. We brought up all the infor and the idea they stay in Philly the night before.... and Dad realized that was the best idea.
SO we booked the room... very helpful staff members to guide us.

We finally get to Jefferson to pick up Joe, only to find that his operation has been changed to Wed. UGH Deb and I took off from work on Monday to be there for the start of the second round of surgeries.... now it has all been changed !
When we got Joe into his apartment and after the visiting nurse came to get all the admitting information... Deb and I talked to Joe about what he wanted to do for getting himself to the surgery on Wed morning... at 6 am. we told him about the rooms offered by Jefferson and he was very excited about it... we also told him we would not be able to take him like we thought, originally, we could. He said he was OK with going on the train (something Dad DID NOT WANT to have Joe do) So he asked us to book the room for him. We were pleased he saw the value of being right next door to the hospital the night before his surgery.

We went back to Mom and dad's cottage.. and Dad could not believe that Joe was truly agreeable to taking the train and staying in the room. He asked us multiple times and really thought we were making it up. Dad just kept saying he didn't want Joe on the train with a trach... ummm, Joe was very comfortable with his trach and why he had it... so we told dad this.
He felt he had to call Joe to confirm that he really wanted this and that Deb and I were not just forcing the new arrangements on Joe.
OK......
So now that Dad has been reassured that Joe is on board for the new plans... they are ready to roll.

Sadly, the surgery will be a very long process.... 12 hours plus recovery time. They did have Joe have a stress test to make sure he could endure a procedure that long.

We were not sure how he felt about us being there.. but the hug at the end of our visit in his apartment, spoke volumes!

Deb has returned to NC.. and I have returned home.. until we are needed again.