Surgery Day

We were here at the hospital at 6 a.m. this morning for surgery, and started off with high hopes. We filled the waiting area - Me, Jason, Christopher, Alan's Dad, Rich and Dee Keller, Pastor Troy, Harvey Haynes, Ronette and Ally McLaughlin.
Unfortunately, Dr. Barnes came out much sooner than I had expected him, and let me know that it was not going to be possible to remove the tumor yet again. Although we'd been led to believe that it had shrunk considerably, and it had, just not as much as everyone expected. He estimates it's still 10 - 12 inches long, as wide as a fist, and connected to the pelvic wall, kidney and a few nerves and what-not. Trying to remove the tumor could mean killing the kidney and damage to his leg.
Dr. Barnes (surgeon) was in contact with Dr. Diab (oncologist) during the surgery, and they say we're going to have to hit this a little harder with the chemo. They are pleased that his cancer has responded to the chemo; just surprised that it hadn't responded as much as they thought. Time for a new game plan.