Tuesday 11:45 p.m.

After a very long day, we have a lot to praise God for! The surgery went well, as I may have already typed in an earlier post (I really can't remember). The surgeon was able to remove all of the visible tumor and told that the surgery went very well. We were able to see her in the ICU this evening before we left the hospital. I wasn't allowed to stay with her in the ICU, so I had to come home. She was a little less chipper post-surgery than she was beforehand, but nonetheless, still making jokes. She could see part of her reflection in the tv in her room and said her haircut somewhat resembles Darth Vader in Return of the Jedi when his mask was removed. I must admit that was the first thing I thought of when I saw her, but I wasn't going to say anything. She's already looking forward to all the things we're going to do "when I get out," which I told Dad, makes it sound like she's in prison. All of you who have asked what you can help with, I may require your assistance in slowing her down! In all seriousness, she was still in good spirits, although a little groggy, and ready for the battle ahead with chemo and radiation. For those of you who don't know her, my mother is a truly amazing woman! Even up until the moment they pushed her bed back into the operating room, you'd have never known she had a brain tumor and was about to have her skull cut open to remove it. She was not scared, nervous, or anxious about what she was facing and actually quite the opposite. Her faith is a testament to all she encounters and she was definitely at peace. I feel truly blessed to have her as my mother. God certainly answers prayers! Currently the plan is to move from ICU to step-down tomorrow and then, as she progresses, hopefully get discharged from the hospital on Saturday; although, she informed the neurosurgeon that she expects to be home by Friday!

We've won a great battle today in our fight! The road ahead is long, but with the love and support we have experienced, this will continue to be a blessed experience. I feel certain that your prayers got us through today and will continue to carry us until Mom has fully recovered. The cards keep coming and we'll take them to her in the hospital as they arrive. Thank you all for your concern. I also have some interesting photos from last night of pre-operation Wii playing that I will probably post sometime tomorrow. Again, we appreciate everything you have done! Love and God bless!