Yesterday was a hurry up and wait day starting for Linn and Tom at about 10AM. No coffee for Tom made for a less than happy camper. He was supposed to go into surgery at 12:30. We said our goodbyes. Linn and I trecked the forty miles from his room to the waiting room and sat in the dreariest, noisiest surgery waiting room I have ever experienced. It was manned by volunteers who made and enforced "rules". LOL We had just sat down when Volunteer #2 stalked over, planted himself in front of us and announced "You left without signing out and came back without signing in."
We said - no, we just got here. "I watched you." NO WE JUST GOT HERE!
"Oh...it must have been somebody else" and off he stormed in search of a more willing victim.

Tom didn't get into surgery until after 2PM and out about 5:30. We got to see him at 8PM. His color was good but he was groggy from the anesthesia and it was hard to hear him with all the paraphernalia hissing, beeping, gurgling, etc. He wanted to sleep so once we were sure he was OK we left. By the time we got back to the hotel it was too late to call anyone.

So...the cancer has been removed., The doctor believes he got all of it. And I believe the doctor. He takes his work very seriously. The bad news is that the entire right vocal cord was involved as well as part of the left so there is major healing to take place before reconstruction can begin. The doctor said it will be a long process. Tom should not be discouraged by setbacks. He will have a speaking voice if he behaves and a singing voice if he works his ass off.
Now the really bad news - NO CAFFEINE. Anyone who knows Tom knows that he takes his morning coffee almost as seriously as I do. Poor Linn. The doctor suggested herbal tea and we both laughed out loud.

When I left this afternoon, Linn was headed back to the hospital expecting to pick up Tom, walk him to his surgeon's office nearby and then take him back to the hotel.

He had passed all the tests re: eating swallowing, and peeing. They checked out his defribulator (SP?). He looked good and was walking. Very eager to get away from all the healing noise and commotion of the hospital. They want him to stay nearby at least until Friday so they can monitor him especially for infections.

So - that's everything. As good as could be expected. Words of encouragement for Tom both here and on Facebook are welcome. Frankly, I think that Linn has the worst of this - a cranky caffeineless Curmudgeon.