Recovering

October 19, 2004

The Buengers have all recovered and are feeling much better now.

Erin has enjoyed being back at school immensely. For the last month she and several other students have been practicing for the UIL storytelling team. Yesterday was the tryout, and today Erin learned that she was one of three students chosen to compete in November. This has taken her mind off having to sit out of her other activities. So far, she has been pretty patient about getting back to soccer and dance. The real test will be this evening when she attends (but does not play in) a Knights soccer game. She is already in her uniform. I hope she doesn't try to trick me into letting her play. We also stopped by the dance studio this afternoon, during her regular rehearsal time. All the girls and teachers were happy to see Erin though we didn't linger long.

We finally heard from Erin's oncologist, Heidi Russell, this afternoon. As we suspected, the pathologists did not have much to add to their original report on the surgical biopsy. The surgeon removed the mass with good margins (healthy tissue encircling the mass) on all sides except the bone side (we didn't want to take too much tissue there and have spinal instability). We are hopeful that the surgery will take care of everything. We will go to Houston for scans between December 7 and 10, and will know more then about whether we have nipped this problem in the bud.

Erin's surgeon will check her out and remove her stiches on Thursday. If all is well, I think he will clear her for action. If so we will see you on the pitch on Saturday, as the Knights take the field with Erin back as team "raptor."