1st Update from Jake's Surgeon - E-mail to Family and Friends

Dear family and friends,

I just thought we should give you an update on how things are going with Jake.  He is a trooper!  He has had his blood pressure taken so many times now that he just knows to lift his arm when the nurse walks in.  Most of the time he doesn't even take his eyes off the tv.  He is in pretty good spirits.  He had a rougher day yesterday, but today was better.

Yesterday we had to have a CT scan so they could see how big his tumor is.  They were planning on sending us home yesterday and have us come back for his surgery on Friday.   His blood pressure had been high all day yesterday so they couldn't send us home and he had to be admitted.  His blood pressure continues to be high, which is to be expected due to the tumor in his kidney.  They are giving him medicine which helps keep his blood pressure down.

The surgeon came in tonight and talked with us.  He said that Jake has stage 3 cancer.  We were hoping for a little better news, but have felt at peace.  At first they thought that they could go in and remove the whole tumor tomorrow and then in a week start chemo;  however after studying the CT scan, the safest is to take a biopsy of it; decide what type of cancer it is; start chemo to shrink the tumor and then go back in and take it out.  He will then have to have chemo and radiation.  He said there is an 85% survival rate--Good News!!!

We appreciate all your thoughts and prayers.  This has been a very emotional, trying time.  We thank all of you for your support and apologize if you have tried to call and we havent been able to answer.  We have been on quite a rollercoaster ride.  We love you all!

Wayland and Jen

--posted by Shelly Park