Surgery-
We admit Auzzy Wed December 10th at the IMC Hospital 53rd South in Murray. He will stay Wed day and night for testing, then be wheeled into surgery first thing Thursday Morning. We were told his surgery will take 4 to 6 hours. I have been most worried about how they are going to cut the tumor out near the major valves of the heart with the heart moving. But I just found some info online!

While you’re on the heart-lung machine, the surgeon can repair to your heart while your heart stays still. Usually, when the major part of the surgery is over (when the repair(s) are done, you are removed from the heart-lung machine and your heart begins working again) your family will be told. You will probably stay in the surgical suite for a couple of hours for a total of several hours for the surgery and observation period. Then you’ll be moved to the ICU.

The above is for open heart surgery and Auzzy's surgery is a bit more complicated and takes longer.  They have to cut slowly around the major vessels and also they might have to remove some lung. But it gave me some comfort to know the heart wouldn't be moving while cutting the tumor out near important parts….at least I'm assuming...

Auzzy has been visiting friends for a few days who are away at college…he's still not home! He's living it up! He lives life to the fullest, that's for sure!

Lately Auzzy has made tons of dying jokes…..It's not funny to me, but I've gotten used to them. I've never seen him sad about having cancer. I have seen him anxious about treatment, and there was like a dark gloomy cloud hovering over us during chemo….which I've never felt before in our home. 

The only time he broke down was when I read him a message from his mission Presidents Wife. He sobbed for quite a while. He said he just wanted to be back with everyone in Mexico serving on his mission. 

There was one day I remember during chemo that he didn't say a word all day. He had his eyes closed most of the day and could barley move…then I turned my phone on as we were leaving and found this creepy picture of him!

He had taken a pic on my phone and put it on as my screen saver without me knowing! I jumped and then laughed. He always has a way of lightening the mood. 

On Monday he was able to Skype with Tim who is serving in Peru. You know….just incase….. Auzzy and Tim share the same Birthday 2 years apart. This will be the second birthday they haven't spent together. We tried to stay away so just the 2 of them could talk but….I had to sit, listen and look! Tim looked so good! And they had a great time!

A throw back pic when they were younger!

Tim's mission President is incredible! He has been so thoughtful and kind. He's just what we needed during this time! Tim has learned and will learn a lot from him! Tim said he had trouble for about a week with worrying about Austin, but then felt total peace about everything and has been able to get right back to work.

Thank you to everyone who has prayed and fasted for him. We've been blessed. I'll try and add more about the Surgery after it's done…..unless Austin skipped town….I do hope he returns so we can get this done! 12:31 a.m. and counting! And I hear him coming through the garage! Yay!!! Bed time!