Happy Days are Here Again!

Live, from MD Anderson - this update:

Dale will have VATS (video assisted thoracic surgery) of his upper left lung on Dec. 27th. This minimally invasive procedure will remove the tumor and the expectation is that no further treatments will be necessary. (One 3 inch incision and 3-4 small incisions)

Dale is having a PET Scan as I blog. He did not meet with the Radiation Oncologist. He will also have two more tests: Radio Nuclide Stress Test on his heart (not scheduled yet) and a pulmonary stress test (12/13 at 10am). Dale will meet with Anesthesiologist on 12/14 at 9:15am for his pre-op bloodwork, etc.

Dale will be in the hospital for 7 days and will follow up with the surgeon in 4 weeks (post op).

Dale has an apparatus that he is using to exercise his lungs (5 times a day). This apparatus will be used during recovery too.

Dr. Rice expects Dale to lose 20% of lung function as a result of the surgery and that will not inhibit his lifestyle!

Dec. 27th is the first opening on Dr. Rice's calendar!

I'll update more later on today...but let the heavens rejoice for what we heard today!