Update on Chris

Update on Chris 11-15-06
Chris and I met with the Orthopedic Surgeon today. He went over the MRI results with us. What Chris has in his arm is not a full break… the doctor called it a perforation. The MRI also showed the tumor in the area. Chris was given two options…
1. Move forward with surgery… hollow out the area with tumor and fill it with bone cement and a plate.
2. Wait until he completes chemotherapy to do radiation on the area.
Chris decided to go with the more aggressive and do the surgery. The doctor agreed with this choice and said he would do the same if it were him. He said the chances are high that Chris would have to have this surgery later, even after radiation. And, the longer we wait, the more risk of further problems, including possible shoulder replacement.
The surgery will be sometime next week, after Monday. We will get a confirmation on the date and time within the next few days. It will be a two day hospital stay, but the doctor said that would depend on how quickly Chris gets off the IV and starts to feel well enough to go home. There is a high possibility that he will be in the hospital Thanksgiving day… although frustrating, this is a good time, because the kids are out of school and family is available to help with them. The recovery will be a few weeks of soreness, then a few weeks of physical therapy. No cast, just a sling.
We will let you know as soon as we have the date and time confirmed. Please pray that Chris’ blood counts remain stable, to prepare him for surgery.
Please also pray for Allison on Thursday while she has eye surgery. Thanks for being there for us.
Lots of love,
Mandy