First mile of the marathon

Well it's Thursday and we just completed what I would would call the first mile of the marathon. One week ago today we were told that Jarod had a tumor in his right testicle that had spread to the lymph nodes in his abs. We had several doctor appointments Friday and lots and lots to do Saturday and Sunday to prepare for the first major day - Monday: Surgery day.

The surgery went well. Jarod did great!! Chad McKinney came down on Sunday afternoon and we spent the evening hanging out. Jarod wanted to grill since he most likely wouldn't feel up to that for a while so they had steaks for his night before meal!

Monday morning our minister who married us Don Harp who he himself is fighting cancer and had retired last year call to speak us before we left for the hospital and tell us that he and everyone at the church is thinking about us and that because he couldn't be there himself he has asked another minister Rev. Charles Gardner (also from our Church) to come to the hospital this was very nice and made Jarod feel even better.

We met Marcy, Cleo and my mom Janice at the hospital around 12:00pm we got him checked in and shortly after Rev. Charles Gardner arrived. He was also an engineer major at GA Tech so him and Jarod proceeded to talk about NC States game vs. GA Techs game for bit that had happened this past weekend and when he was smiling and making everyone feel good is about the time it was getting close for them to call Jarod back to pre-op. So Rev. Gardner lead us all in prayer before heading out and about that time the nurse came to get Jarod to prep him.

Shortly after well all met him in the downstairs pre-op and then Marcy and I escorted him to upstairs pre-op where we were able to speak with the surgeon and nurses before hand. Jarod got a little nervous there but they gave him some drugs and he calmed down a bit and they took him back.

About 1.5 - 2 hours later Jarod was out of surgery and awake. Ruthie Morse a good family friend of ours had also come by. We all took turns seeing Jarod and then spoke with the doctor who said it went well and they took the tumor our to send up to Indiana to get the full path report. The University of Indiana is where Lance Armstrong's doctors are and it's the head of testicular cancer. They told us we should be getting that path report back today Thursday.

Jarod was released at 5:30 pm and rode home with Marcy and Cleo to our house and I road with Chad. Mom and Ruthie left to go home as we were all leaving. Jarod had a pizza request so I ordered some pizza for everyone and he ate 1 piece when we go to the house and then Chad and Cleo put him in the bed and he was out.

Cleo and Marcy went home after a long day and Chad headed back to Asheville after a very long weekend away.

Hugh our neighbor came over to bring a chicken casserole dish that his fiance Meredith also our neighbor had made. Hugh has been through similar situations and hung out with us for awhile.

Tuesday I stayed home from work. The McKinney's sent a wonderful edible arrangement which is very tasty! I went out to get some medication and drinks for him and we have a few visitors. Jon and Jay Malone came over during their lunch hour which was so nice! Then Erika stopped by after work with TONS of DVDs for Jarod. He had a good day a we went to bed early.

Wednesday I had to go back to work so Marcy drove up and arrived before I left. Jarod did get up and toke a shower which made him feel lots better and stayed at home with his mom. She really helped out in many ways and did some laundry for us and cooked dinner which was wonderful! The Moran's and Mosley's dropped of food from Tthe Dinner Affair which was so thoughtful while I was at work! We will be eating that over the weekend for sure!

Justin came by around lunchtime on Wednesday with his famous and requested chicken noodle soup for Jarod and they got to visit for a while. Georgia accidentaly jumped on Jarod which was a bit painful to say the least!! From what I heard she felt bad and after about 20 minutes he was ok but it didn't open the wound or anything just painful.

When I got home Kyle Poss was there visiting which was nice and catching Jarod up on work and then after her left Aisha and Marcellus stopped by for a while.

We have had a lot of support and emails and Jarod seems to be doing better and better with each passing day.

Today he even go up to let Georgia out before I left for work and got dressed! He seems to be doing much better! Hopefully we will hear on the pathology today and tomorrow we will be in the hospital at 5:30 for them to put the port in. It shouldn't be too much of an ordeal but we will be there until around noon.

Thanks for everyone who has called, email, sent gifts, stopped by and just been thinking of us we really appreciate it!

Tomorrows appointment is at 5:30 am -12:00 pm
Saturday Jarod's sister gets into town in the evening
Sunday during the day we are spending time with his family.
Sunday night my mom gets into town and if Jarod feels up to it we are going to dinner.
Monday is our big schedule day and follow up appointments with all the docs.

I'll let everyone know how it goes but for now we've gotten through the first mile of the marathon!

Lots of Love,

Lindsey & Jarod