I just got off the phone with my surgeon. Here are the details about the surgery (sorry if this is repetitious, but I wanted all this on one place where it's easy for everyone to find).
1. Surgery will begin at 7:30AM July 2. It will last 6-7 hours. I'll be awakened for up to 2 hours during the surgery to do a detailed "mapping" of my speech center.
2. My surgery will be at UCLA Medical Center Hospital. After Monday, you can try to reach me through Patient Location: 310/825-8611 (I'll be in the ICU the first night). I'll be there at least 3 nights, maybe 4.
3. There is a strong possibility that I'll have some temporary speech impairment for the first few hours or even days following surgery. This is normal, due to swelling. So, if I don't answer the phone, or do but can't talk, you'll know why!
4. I
should be able to write and read just fine. So, when I feel up to it, I'll try to 'blog' from my Blackberry or from my computer, after I return home.
5. Dr. Liau rated the possibility of getting all the tumor at 90%! Again, a lot rests on the final 'grading' of the tumor - even if she gets all of it, if it grades "high," I'll need radiation and chemo (but none, if it grades "low"). I won't hear the final results for about 5 days following surgery. They'll give me a preliminary report the day of surgery, but it's only about 80% accurate.
That's about it...I'm ready to get this done! I'm confident. I have all the resources I need for this battle - a loving and supportive family, great friends at work and at church, countless prayers, a topflight surgeon, a wonderful hospital and staff, and most importantly a Faithful and True Savior in whom I trust completely.
