Well... Here it is.  Time to start journaling and detailing this journey.  🙃I have what is called ampullary cancer.  I have a 5/8 inch malignant tumor in the Ampulla of Vater.  On April 10th, a wonderful team at the University of Iowa led by Dr. Scott Sherman will be performing a Whipple Procedure to remove the area that is affected.  I know this is a major surgery.  I have a long road to recovery.  I am encouraged that the surgery should take care of the cancer.  I will have a 2 to 3 week wait as they test the tissue that they take out for additional spots of cancer.  

Here is how the day will stack up:  I will arrive at the U of I and be prepped for surgery.  The doctors will make a couple small incisions and send some cameras around my abdomen looking for any obstructions or reasons not to proceed.  Should they find nothing, no abnormalities, they will then make a long incision taking part of my pancreas, duodenum, stomach, and then hook it all back up.  

I will be in the hospital at least a week, maybe two.  I may come home with a drainage tube and there is a small chance that I will have a feeding tube.  The doctors say I have a 4 to 6 week recovery period, hopefully at home.  :)

I'll be encouraging my family to make updates while I can't.  Leading up to the surgery, I'll let you know how I'm feeling.  Here are a few things to be very clear about:

• Please, no financial donations.  
• We don't know what I'll be able to eat right away, but as soon as I know and hopefully Starbucks London Fog and Petite Vanilla Scones will be allowed!  
• If you have some extra prayers to give, I'll take those
• I'll have good days and bad days, hang in there with me
• I might cry somedays, I might be angry others 
• Send me all the bad dad jokes you can
• As soon as I can have visitors, one of the kids will post that

I love you all, I can't wait to be healed.  

-Erin