Wednesday, June 11, 2008

A Word From the OR

We are now 8 hours into Michael's surgery and I have had a chance to talk to both of the main surgeons (urology and colo-rectal). News from the OR (operating room) is very good. Although the tumor has grown to approximately 11cm, they were able to remove it and preserve his bladder. He will have a temporary colostomy for 4-6 months, however they will be able to reconnect things to allow normal bowel function at a later date. They are currently working on the liver as I am typing. The lesion is also slightly larger than previous but the plan stays the same at this time, to do high frequency ablation thru a needle in the liver. The doctors figure 3 more hours of surgery as we speak. Michael could not be in better hands. These surgeons are incredible!

Your comments have been overwhelming!
Dawn Estelle

26 comments:

Gayle said...

Great news! We'll keep praying! Hope you and the kids are holding up ok.
love, Gayle Smith

Melissa Fleszar said...

Dawn and Michael, I thought about you both all day today and have been praying that things go well in surgery.
Love, Dave and Melissa Fleszar

Karen Storey said...

Wonderful news. Our prayers will continue for all.

Love,
Karen and the gang from the UP

Threeforme said...

Wonderful news Dawn! I have been checking the blog all day, hoping for good news from the OR. Continued prayers for all!

Susan A. and "the kids"

Dan Wagar said...

Good news!! we're praying as we read and type. Godspeed my friend.
Dan & Diane Wagar

Diane said...

What an ordeal to endure...I am so sorry to hear that you are facing this. I am so hopeful for a positive outcome for your family! Love and prayers for you all!! Diane Lown

stevelown said...

Michael and Dawn -
What a day. Great to hear the news. Will continue to pray tonight that the news will be positive. Thoughts and prayers will continue to be with you.
Love - Steve Lown

sheila said...

Thanks for adding us to your list, it helps to know what is happening first hand. Gene and I also wondered all day what was happening so this really helps, and we all get the correct information! Sounds like you have a great support staff, let them help if you need it. Say hi to the kids for me. love sheila

Renee' Elias said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Renee' Elias said...

SO EXCITED! Dawn I can't even imagine what is going on in your head now. Know we love and support your beautiful family. Michael is a strong couragous man with a will and spirit to fight. Thank you for keeping us posted and sharing this very personal and private matter with all of us. We continue to keep a vigil going for him. With much love, Renee'

OBShell said...

I am so happy to hear all of the positive things from the OR. You all must be exhausted and will sleep well tonight. We are thinking of you here and Holte asked if "the dad was having surgery". We will continue to send our strength within our thoughts to you and yours
love, shell

sue said...

Hi Michael Sue has been keeping me posted all day,keep up the fight. Hopefully the good news will keep flowing....that place is amazing out there...take care everyone. Mike Cavanaugh

Nichole Butcher said...

Happy to hear everything is going well. My thoughts and prayers will continue for Michael and the family.

Thanks for keeping us all updated. Make sure you get some rest.
Nichole

brittneybook said...

The Book family is praying for your entire family... we have been thinking of Michael and the rest of you 5 all day! Let us know if there is anything that we can do.

Much love, Brittney, Ryan and family

MKelso said...

Great to hear!!

Keep the faith - our prayers and thoughts continue to be with you.

Thanks for taking the time to us all informed.

Mark, Laura, Brayton, Paige, & Nate Kelso-

Tobin said...

Hey Girl,

What a good report. You, Michael and the kids have been on my mind since you left. The entire church is lifting Michael, you and the kids before the face of God continuously in pray. Know that you are loved and we are here if you need anything. Give Michael and the kids a big hug for me.

Love,

Lisa

chris dandendeau said...

Hey Dude,
Your surgery should be complete by now. . .
I trust that your recovery process will soon begin.

Once you overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles, other hurdles become less daunting.

Love Chris & the rest of the D's.

Anonymous said...

Dawn and Michael,

You have been in my thoughts all day. I am glad that the news is good. You will continue to be in my prayers that God uses the hands of the surgeons to perform miracles. Hang in there. Thanks for keeping us updated.

Robin (Arnett)Harper

Nicole Valuet said...

What great news! I have been thinking of you and your family all week and I am so glad to hear that things are going well. Please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers.

Nicole and Jay Valuet (and baby Jack too!)

Roxy said...

I have been praying for you guys since you left. Michael is on our prayer list at church. Keep the faith and know your being prayed for by many. Be strong but get rest.
Roxy

Kathleen Mullen said...

Michael & Dawn..You have been in my prayers since first diagnosed...Just saw the blogspot on MedSurg today..

Our God is an awesome God..He is MIGHTY..and Commando was not alone today in the operating room!!!

You and your family...not only have a community praying and interceding in your behalf...but so many lives that you have touched all over!!!

Thank you for sharing your life and allowing us to be a part of the journey.

May God give you peace in your spirit and rest in you body...

Kathleen (&Ken) Mullen..Dr. Miyamoto's clinical assistant...Michael..the one who always bugs you from the front desk!!!

Pamela Grayson said...

Dawn and Michael,

Great News Dawn, sounds like the Surgery went well! Sean O. sent an e-mail, please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers. I was upset to hear about this but I know that Micahel you have the strength to beat this. God Bless. Tell Michael I send my Love and well wishes from Texas.

Pam Grayson (Griffore)

KennyLindsay said...

Hey Big Mike,

In all honesty, the moment I heard of the news, you've been in my thoughts and prayers ever since.

You really could not be in better hands at the Mayo Clinic. Years ago, I went to the Mayo Clinic for asthma (was diagnosed as the worst 100 cases they had) and those folks worked a MIRACLE for me.

Any guy that goes around saying his name is 'COMMANDO' is a little creepy to me. I keep picturing some pervert in a long overcoat. Since it's a doc at The Mayo, I feel more at ease but whatever you do, don't let this guy give you too much sedation drugs. Sleep with one eye open at all times.

Going to miss ya at the MSAA Summer Convention on the golf course.

I'll be checking in multiple times each day (fair warning) and thanks to Dawn for the great updates.

Love ya buddy.

Kenny Lindsay, Auctioneer

joseph.merkel said...

Michael,

I hope when this message is read to you that you are smiling and on course to a healthy recovery. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. I will miss you at summer conference but hope to see you up and around very soon.....
Keep smiling, your positive attitude will serve you very well during this trying time.
All my very best!
Sincerely,
Joseph Merkel
Auctioneer & Realtor
Michigan State Auctioneers Assoc.

John@ABC said...

Mike and Dawn,

You are in our prayers.

That is wonderful Mike's surgery has gone well.

Love,

John and Betty Westenbarger

tanya Dandeneau said...

We have been thinking of you guys all weekend and hoping Michael would have a great outcome of this surgery. We hope all of you are being strong for Michael and we will continue to be strong for you as well. We're checking the blog daily and give our love to everyone. Keek, Kinley and Annie send their hugs.
Love, Tanya and family