Warning: Scar Photo

The drain pump has been removed.  Good news.
The stitches are out.  Great news.
Erica is back at work.  Incredible news.
We're getting married in 22 days.  Best news you'll hear all day.

Update

Thank you all for your comments, thoughts, prayers, and messages over the past 24 hours.  Erica, her family, and I are so grateful for you!

After being passed from surgeon to surgeon to surgeon, Erica is finally in the care of a cancer doctor.  SHE DOES NOT HAVE CANCER...but these types of physicians are familiar with large tumors and are skilled at removing them.

The doctor needs to discover the main blood vessels that are feeding this tumor.  This is done by performing an MRA test...which can't be done right now because Erica's back is so swollen from yesterday's surgery.

Once the test is done, the surgeon will decide how to successfully remove the tumor so it doesn't come back.  The operation will most likely be complex...but it all depends on where those main blood vessels are.  Once it's done, she will need to spend 2-3 nights in the hospital and recovery will take a few weeks.

Because of this, the doctor suggested Erica go home and recover from her surgery so she can be ready for our wedding.  Then, some time after we get married, the MRA test can be done and they can operate.

The surgeon made it very clear that this is not cancer, it's not life-threatening, and leaving it in there a few extra weeks (or even months) won't cause any additional damage.  It may grow a little...but nothing that can't be handled.

So...Erica is on her way home, her parents will be able to attend Brian's wedding tomorrow, and they may be able to go on their cruise! 

It will take Erica a few weeks to recover from yesterday's procedure but she should be nice and healthy by.....oh, let's say....April 23...OUR WEDDING!

Now that I've given you this good news, hopefully we'll have better news by tomorrow night after BYU, VCU, and U of R win!

St. Mary's Hospital

St. Mary's Hospital is about a mile from my house.  You can get there in less than three minutes if both lights are green.  I drive by every day on my way to and from work.


Ten months ago Erica and I had our first lunch date at St. Mary's.  She was working as an appointment coordinator for some doctors.  We hadn't even officially started to date when I showed up at noon with food from "Noodle's and Company." 


Every Thursday from that point on we had lunch at the hospital.  Sometimes we'd eat inside.  Sometimes we'd eat outside.  Sometimes we'd eat in the cafeteria.  Sometimes, Often, when she was feeling naughty, she would try to kiss me in the stairwell...but I always insisted that was VERY inappropriate for a public place :-)


Around this time I began training for a marathon.  Every day I would jog by St. Mary's and think, "The girl I love is in there.  I can't wait to see her!"


After a few months the doctor moved his office and Erica moved to another job...but this morning she was back at St. Mary's.


A nasty tumor-like mass decided to grow in her back and she went to get it removed.  What was supposed to be a simple surgery turned into something much more complicated.


The tumor was much bigger than the doctor thought.  The vessels were so big that he didn't feel comfortable removing anything without a vascular surgeon on hand.  Not only that, but the doctor believed the mass had spread into her chest and wrapped itself through her ribs.


He decided to sew Erica back up, order a cat scan (which should have been done before this surgery...but that's another story), analyze how complex removing the tumor would be, and then schedule another surgery.


Erica does not handle surgery well.  Her body rejects anesthesia and it makes her violently ill.  When she woke up this afternoon, dry heaving and pale, she was less than happy to hear that she would be spending several nights in the hospital.


As if this wasn't bad enough, Erica's brother, Brian, gets married Friday in Washington DC and her parents are scheduled to leave on a cruise Sunday.  


All day I waited with Erica's wonderful parents in room 507.  She was in and out of consciousness until she was wheeled away to have her cat scan.


A few hours later we received some wonderful news!


The results show the tumor is not life-threatening and hasn't entered the chest cavity like the doctor originally thought!  The vessels are still very large and a vascular surgeon will need to perform the procedure...but it shouldn't be as complicated as it could have been.  Tomorrow we'll know for sure what needs to be done...but this is definitely good news!


Thank you all so much for your thoughts and prayers.  Within an hour of learning how serious things turned, Erica was being prayed for in three LDS temples.  My co-workers and friends from church were very kind.  Many of you called, texted, sent Facebook messages...all appreciated!


I'll admit there were several moments I was scared and worried today...but I know things will all work out.  I know because God is a God of miracles and He hears and answers prayers.


Tonight I got home from St. Mary's around 9 o'clock.  I needed to clear my mind and my legs were stiff from sitting all day...so I decided to go for a quick run.


I turned on my I-pod and began to pound the pavement.  I was deep in thought when all of a sudden I realized I was running next to St. Mary's Hospital!


I stopped for a moment, looked up at room 507, and thought, "The girl I love is in there.  I can't wait to see her!"  

We're getting married one month from today!

Hate Mail

A viewer sent me a message the other day.  This happens often.  Folks send news tips, comment about stories, ask me questions, and sometimes just say hi.

In this case, our wonderful viewer Anthony wrote this:  

The first thing that went through my mind after reading this was, "He spelled 'hell' wrong."  Then I thought, "I know I don't have the typical low baritone voice most male (and some female) newscasters have, but an accent?  I have an accent?  I've always wanted an accent!  What type of accent do I have?"

This isn't the first time I've gotten a nasty email.  The majority of mean messages come from those who have been the subject of my stories (accused criminals, shady businesses, etc.).  Then there's those who write because they think my reports are slanted or unfair.  Then there's those like Anthony.

I want to write him back but don't know what to say.  What do you think?  What would you say?  How should I respond?  I want to hear your thoughts.  Oh, and do I have an accent?

While you're thinking about that, click here to watch a story this high nasally voiced reporter with an accent did that made it on CNN tonight.  Not to brag or anything :-)

By the way, I'm getting married in 32 days!  Have you visited our wedding website and given us your address?  If not, click here!