Double Digits

AND.... #10 is finished!  Jim soldiered through another surgery today.  They removed the spot on his right pointer finger and froze five other spots on his right hand.  Unfortunately, the wound did require a skin graft to close.  The donor skin was taken from his inner bicep area of his right arm.  

Jim's hands pre-surgery, 12/22/15.
The spot on his pointer finger was addressed today.

After his surgery, we went to our traditional lunch out, courtesy of our dear friends Erin, Claire, and Terry.  Thank you so much for the gift card.  We relaxed at Downriver Grill while Jim was still in the *sweet spot* before the injections wore off.  

Jim's post surgery beverage, a local stout.

  

DRG gorgonzola fries with bacon.  YUM.

Thank you to our other dear friends, Jon and Bonnie, for watching our boys overnight.  We are so grateful for the time to conquer our Christmas to-do list last night.  Of course, it was a huge present to have the guys happy and occupied while Jim and I were away, as well.  Thank you!!

Dang It!

Well... that celebration was fun while it lasted!  Jim found out today that the biopsy on his right pointer finger is positive.  This spot has been frozen before and hasn't gone away.  So, his chances of skipping out on surgery this time are small.  He is scheduled for Tuesday, December 22nd.  Merry Christmas!!  

12/14/15
Jim's right (left side of the picture) 
pointer finger is the current positive spot.

On his left hand, the surgery spot on his middle
 knuckle and the graft by his pinky are healing.

***Merry Christmas to Jim****

Ready for some good news?  We have been waiting for it!  First, Jim found out his last biopsy was NOT cancer!!!  YES!!! That is so awesome!  Then, today's scheduled surgery turned into slightly aggressive freezing and a deep biopsy.  The spot that was scheduled for surgery was on the middle knuckle of Jim's right hand.  It hadn't grown since his biopsy and didn't feel deep.  The doctor felt confident freezing and monitoring it was  a safe option.  There were three other spots the doctor froze, as well.  In addition, there was a spot on Jim's right pointer finger that has been frozen before and is still troubling.  They biopsied that and we will wait and see.  Perhaps we can get lucky again!  We really feel like Jim dodged a bullet both with the last biopsy and the downgrading of today's procedure.  It was about time Jim had an easy one.

Jim's hands before freezing.  12/7/15
Last biopsy is on his right pointer.
Last surgery is on his left middle knuckle.
Skin graft is healing between pinky and ring fingers of left hand.

Celebratory beverage!!

Jim's right hand.  12/7/15
Frozen spots - base of ring finger,
middle knuckle, base of thumb.
Old biopsy (closer to palm) and new biopsy are bandaged.

Jim's left hand.  12/7/15
Frozen spot on middle finger.
Last surgery spot on middle knuckle.
Graft healing between pinky and ring fingers.