I got the call at 6 p.m. that Sam's surgery was over. (I was in the grocery
store parking lot and just now have finished for the evening and could get
online).

The surgery went well and the surgeon said that he was very pleased with the
way he was able to remove the tumor in one piece. He did not have to cut
into the diaphram which was good. The tumor had grown and had spread the
ribs some.  He told me the defect was large enough that he had to strengthen
the chest wall with mesh. We had hoped he wouldn't have to do that, but it
is better to do it now than to have to go back at a later date.

Sam was still under anesthesia when the surgeon called. He still had a chest
tube in place and they wanted to take x-rays to insure that there wasn't any
air in his chest or outside his lungs.  He said he'd call me later this
evening when Sam was awake.  He expected it would be several hours before he
called.  We're now at the 2 hour mark and still waiting. I wish he'd call.

He did say that Sam tolerated the anesthesia very well. Did I tell you that
I wish the phone would ring? Come on phone, ring. (sigh)

Julie