Tuesday 2:00 pm

We arrived this morning at 9:15 and waited for a while before they were ready to take her back for prep. Due to delays in the surgery prior to hers, we were delayed a couple more hours. Around 1:50 they finally took her back for surgery. We've had quite a crowd in the waiting room. Mom was very calm and didn't appear to be nervous at all. We're preparing for about 4 hours of surgery, so I don't anticipate seeing her until around 6:00 this evening. We spoke with her surgeon and several other doctors in preparation. As I understand it, she will spend tonight in the ICU and tomorrow morning be transferred to the step-down unit where she'll stay for possibly four days. Mom told the surgeon that she expected to be home by Friday... Ever the optimist. Please continue to remember us in your prayers. Pray for God to guide the surgeons' hands, and for Him to give us strength. I will post information as we get it.