Hello All,
Sorry about the lack of communication from my part for the last 24 hours, but a lot has happened since then. First off let me start off by telling you all that Willie is doing much better than I would have ever imagined. What was supposed to be a 6 hour surgery turned into a 17 hour surgery and I spent alot of time in ICU waiting to hear from the doctor in an area that didn't allow cell phones or laptops. So I have a few minutes and I will try to catch up on my updates.
He went into surgery Tuesday morning at 7:45am and they wheeled him into the ICU unit at 2:50am Wednesday morning. His surgeon Dr. Leem came and spoke with me and told me that he is pretty confident that he had removed all of the cancer. They removed is larynx and pharynx some of his glands and lymph nodes and a large amount of soft tissue and muscle. Then they replaced this with muscle they folded up from his chest and stitched this all up. They used a skin graft taken from his right thigh to close his throat. All in all they pretty much tore out most of his throat and then reconstructed it within this 17 hour operation. I cannot ever thank this hospital and its amazing staff enough. They have been awesome from the start and continue to do outstanding care not only for Willie but for all of his family and friends that stood vigil.
Now here's the kicker..
I went in to see him after they told me he was awake and out of his sedated state at about 2 pm today. By the time I left him at the shift change at 7, he was writing on a board and communicating back to me with nods and eye contact. When I left his room he had the pain button in one hand and the tv remote in the other. Don't get me wrong, he still has a long way to recovery. But this man still continues to amaze me even after 35 years.
I hate to cut it short, but I really need to get some much needed sleep. Thanks everyone for your patience and concern, well wishes and love. I will get back to you all tomorrow, as soon as I get a chance.
All our love
Willie and Sheri
