Now it's my turn....

[Kcwhippet]

Judy has a lot of moles and spots and freckles. Well, she recently noticed one on her neck seemed to be growing so she went to the doc and he sent her to a specialist last week. They took some of it for a biopsy. She went back in today and learned today that it's a melanoma, and that's not good. The doc did some feeling around and apparently didn't notice any swelling in her lymph nodes which is a good thing. She goes back in next week to get it all dug out and to make sure it hasn't gone anywhere else. She's in very good spirits, considering.

So, would greatly appreciate if any of you good folk could put in a good word for her with the Man upstairs.

[winoweenie]

Her's will be right alongside CBs'. WW

[Thomas]

It's happening all at once, and we are in it together.

Looks like radiation treatment on the prostate for me.

Not a happy camper right now, but trying to stay focused on work and life!

[Innkeeper]

The Wine Board section of my morning prayers is getting longer and longer, but I've got plenty of times so keep them coming.

[hotwine]

Good grief, you guys!

I'm with IK, my list is getting longer, too. Just lost my neighbor to prostate cancer at 85; he fought it for 17 years. There are many more effective treatment options available now, than when it claimed my dad nearly 30 years ago; all they could do back then was de-nut him (didn't help).

[Thomas]

Thanks guys.

[wondersofwine]

I'll add Foodie to our church prayer board. Our prayers for young Andrew (motorcyclist hit by school bus) seem to be working. He's been moved into rehab and is amazing the staff with his willingness to work through the pain and exhaustion to start strenthening his body. They took him outside in a wheelchair the other day and that was a big event for him. I visted him on Friday and his mother was bringing him food from McDonald's which he had requested. One nurse who looked after him the first three nights in the intensive care unit, said she wasn't sure he would survive but he is amazing.

[TheEngineer]

Absolutely. No such thing as too much prayer in your life. I have a minister across the street from me and while extreme pragmatic an individual, would make sure that we understood that from time to time. KC and everyone else on these link, my thoughts and prayers are with and for you as we work through these tough times. May the strength that we derive your family and friend's support and from everyone's prayers and best wishes help pull all of us through to a good and proper resolution.

[winoweenie]

Must be strong medicine!!!! CB felt so good today she did a 30 min stint on the lifecycle before going to her acupuncturist today. WW

[Kcwhippet]

Great news!!! Judy's been interviewing surgeons and this morning went to see a lady doctor who's the chief of the melanoma surgery group (or whatever they call it) at University Hospital in Worcester (part of UMASS). She's supposed to be one of the best on the east coast for melanoma treatment, and she's also a professor and department head on the university side of the hospital. Anyway, she checked Judy out and said the melanoma didn't look to difficult to treat. So, she told Jude to sit out in the waiting room while she had her schedule checked for an opening. Within ten minutes she came out and said they had a cancellation and could do the procedure right then. Jude said "Let's do it." So, she excised the melanoma with a small bit of surrounding skin and sent it downstairs to their pathology lab. Twenty minutes later word came back that they got it all. So, Judy went in at 8 am for a consult and left at 10 am with the procedure completed. She has to go back in 10 days to get the stitches out, and instructions on how to (hopefully) keep it from happening again. Right now she's complaining about the pain since the local had worn off, but that's certainly better than the alternative.

[Innkeeper]

Fantastic!!!!

[winoweenie]

How Sweet It IS!!!!WW

[Drew]

Great news...love those cancellations!

Drew

[Thomas]

Great news for Judy, and for you, Bob.

[hotwine]

Wonderful! Wonderful!

[wondersofwine]

I'm so glad Bob! Give Judy my best.

[TheEngineer]

Perfect! Love it when a plan comes together! I came by the store today...will try to drop in tomorrow! Store looks great!

[Kcwhippet]

Big surprise when Judy just changed the dressing. The mole was smaller than a pencil eraser, but the incision is about 4 inches long! It was a shock. I don't know what to say.

[Kcwhippet]

Judy had the stitches removed today. The doc covered the incision with flesh colored Steri Strips, so I don't get to see it for another 3 - 4 days. The doc told Judy the melanoma has been completely removed and there shouldn't be any recurrence. However, she has to go back every three months for a checkup. All in all, a very good ending. Judy said the doc told her this was a good Christmas present. I most definitely agree.

[winoweenie]

Now that's what I calls a neat ending. Kinda' like A Xmas Story!!!!!!! WW