Dad has decided to continue with this second doctor, Dr. Michael Chicoine. He is one of the best neurosurgeons in the country, has won multiple awards, and he is the consulting neurosurgeon for the St. Louis Rams (at least that's what it said when I googled him). We talked about both options as a family and we just feel that having this more detailed MRI- we're calling it the road map- prior to surgery and then having another MRI during the surgery will give Dad the best possible chance to beat this thing.
The next thing that needed to be done was figure out a time line and get everything scheduled. The pre-surgery MRI is scheduled for the morning of Monday, August 3rd. This is the MRI that will show the doctor the exact location of the tumor and what it is close to. After that Dad has pre-testing with the anesthesiologist in the afternoon, just to go over everything. Between both of these, Dad will be down at the hospital almost all day.
The surgery will be scheduled for Monday, August 10th. Dad could have had it a couple of days sooner, however the doctor would have been going out of town for a conference just hours after surgery and we weren't super comfortable with that. The doctor will be back in town by the 10th and medically, there was no difference versus the two different dates. We're not exactly sure what time the surgery will be or how long it will take, right now we're estimating some where between 3 and 4 hours, although that is just our guess, not what the doctor has told us. We're also assuming that Dad will be in ICU for a day or two before being moved to a regular room.
Dad and Mikayla went to the Cardinal's game last night, they had a lot of fun even though they didn't bring home a win. They even brought home Gus's Pretzels for Mom and I and if you're from the St. Louis area... you know how good those pretzels are!
We really appreciate all the thoughts, prayers, cards, visits, and meals from our family and friends. One of Mom's co-workers is going to be setting up a meal train for us online, once I have more information, I will post it on here.
Dad still isn't really having any pain and has been feeling fine- since he's been great so far, they have lowered the amount of steroids he is taking on a daily basis. He's also gotten a little more dexterity back in his left hand, he can touch his fingers to his thumb a lot faster than he could last week. We're taking this as a great sign!
This is a family of fighters. We don't give up. God does not give us anything we can't handle. These next several months will be trying ones but that is what family and friends are for. Uncle Rick - just remember that you are a fighter and we will all be rooting in your corner. Thoughts and prayers with you! Jesse and Kevin
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