Getting Better

Robert is doing better this afternoon, and we are getting closer to managing his pain.  The doctors were very excited about the movement in his hand this morning, and we got a little more explanation about their original concern. Dr. Jones found that the "casing" around the tumor had not been breached under his arm and so they carefully pulled the nerves off of the tumor.  Hence, they were unsure as to the amount of stress or damage that the nerves sustained during the process.  On the contrary, the top of the tumor was evasive, and rather than pushing things out of the way, it invaded the bone and tissue.  The assisting ortho-surgeon told me that the casing around the tumor is thinner than a piece of saran wrap! Amazing that it contained the cancerous cells.  He did get up and take a little walk around the room, and we re-adjusted his sling for better support.  He didn't get to his room last night until 11:00 because it took 2 hours instead of one to stitch him closed.  I am happy that all of the stitches are internal, and I won't have to do much wound care.  He is off of the drip pain meds and onto the good stuff with pills. I think that the children will be able to come by and see him this evening!