Preparing for my stomach surgery, I reflected on similarities that I am facing today with those my dad experienced right before his death in 1984 – I was 10 years old and my sister was 7. My dad was preparing for his 40th birthday.

He was a lifetime diabetic which contributed to renal failure in his thirties. He had gone into the hospital for a fairly routine procedure to replace a peritoneal dialysis catheter.

My mom and dad thought it best he remain in the hospital overnight as he would have to return to the hospital early the next morning for a traditional hemodialysis session.

Having lived with diabetes his whole life, my dad knew he might not live as long as he desired. In fact, he died in the hospital early that next morning.

My cancer diagnosis and subsequent treatment carries some of the same apprehensions and the stark realities of confronting mortality.

I am in my 40s.
I have young kids (9 and 5).
I was diagnosed with a serious illness.
I was to undergo a relatively straight forward surgical procedure.

As I got closer and closer to the day of my surgery, the ghost of my father sat in the back of my mind.

So far, I am not repeating my dad’s demise. (knock on wood)

The stomach surgery occurred without complications. In the end, the doctor’s removed 100% of my stomach and extracted 15 lymph nodes from around my abdomen. The doctor’s made an “in-procedure” decision to leave my spleen and my pancreas alone – there was the option to remove the entire spleen and a portion of my pancreas.

Now 24 hours post-op, I am healing faster than the doc’s estimated. I started “eating” with a cup of ice chips. I then graduated to apple juice (in kids juice box size). And for the piece de resistance, Jell-O! The staff at Walter Reed must know I am from Utah as they presented me the green stuff.

Because of my rapid recovery (so far), I am moving out of the intensive care unit, where I have been the last 24 hours. I will finish out the reminder of my hospital stay on the Inpatient Ward recovery floor.

I remain eternally grateful for all the prayers, fasts, and positive energy offered up and directed towards me and my family. The supplications are heard and felt and I know that they are helping me crush this cancer.

We continue to move forward with purpose and faith as I get closer and closer to being declared cancer free!