From the Surgery Waiting Room

This is Jennifer - Ken asked me to let you all know what's going on here.  Chelsea and I are in the University of Chicago Medical Center's very comfortable surgery waiting room.  After we spent an extended time with him in pre-op, they took him back to the OR at about 11:30am Chicago time, and the surgery will go on for several hours, depending on how things go.  That's what we've been learning throughout this bladder cancer journey - how things go (or don't) indicates the next right (or hopefully right) thing to do.  Prior to this major surgery, Ken was his usual optimistic, humorous self, feeling ready to get going on surgery so he could recover and dive into a steak dinner as soon as possible.  Lessons in patience for all involved!  We'll keep posting updates, so stay tuned.  Meanwhile, when we're not at the hospital, Chelsea and I are staying nearby at the St. Augustine Friary, whose resident monks have already shown us such remarkable hospitality that I'm certain we're in the right place at the right time - a peaceful haven in the midst of such challenging times for our family.

Breaking news: one of the OR nurses just called to inform us that Dr. Steinberg says everything is going well.  He's got Ken's bladder out and is now starting the reconstruction.  Bye, bye bladder - hello extreme potty-training!  I'm thinking that Ken will appreciate my attempts at humor - hey, just tryin' to do my job here . . .