Just Fine

October 5, 2004

I think it speaks very clearly about how Erin is doing for me to tell you that she let Walter and I leave for a short lunch together while she stayed and played a game with her cousin, Matthew. Aunt Jan and Matthew both took off time from work to drive in and see us this morning, and it was something that Erin thoroughly enjoyed. Matt's friend Krysie who works as a neo-natal ICU nurse at Hermann Hospital served as their guide, and we really appreciate her visit as well.

Erin's pain is being controlled for the most part, and she has had what I consider to be a great first 24 hours post-surgery. We were all pretty exhausted last night and could have used a bit more rest during the night. The top-notch nurses here at TCH wanted us to feel extremely well cared for, so they kept coming in, messing with her pump, medicines, drain tube and so on.

We got up for the day around a quarter to six, finished reading The Witches and finished listening to The Magician's Nephew before breakfast. By the time Aunt Jan arrived at 11:30 we had also crossed watching The Black Stallion off of our To Do list, and seen the surgical resident, Erin's oncologist, and the doctor who did her surgery. Erin's napping now, and I wish I were, too.

Everyone's opinion about what the pathologist will turn up is still quite murky. The only thing I am sure about is that the pathology report will continue to pend for several more days. The current thinking is that the neoplasm is possibly therapy related, perhaps in some combination with a genetic tendency for Erin to have trouble suppressing tumor development. We may never really know. I think we have narrowed what will happen next down to three scenarios:

1. We will do nothing. The mass is gone and stays gone forever.
2. We will do nothing. The mass will eventually grow back and we will have to resect it again and consider other therapy.
3. We will not trust that the mass is gone for good, and we will follow up with some sort of therapy.

Obviously, we are all pulling for the prize behind Door Number 1.

Davis was scheduled to make his solo coaching debut this evening as the Knights take the field without Erin, but wet fields will sideline everybody. I think Davis is okay with that because he is hot to watch the VP debates tonight.

FOR MY STUDENTS: Although Erin is doing better than I expected, she will not feel well enough to be away from her mother for eight hours in a row tomorrow. Please check the announcement page and course schedule for further instructions. MGMT 466 STUDENTS YOUR EXAM WILL BE HELD TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) AS SCHEDULED.