She's in

Shannie went in to surgery right on time. After talking with the surgical nurse, surgeon, anesthesiologist etc. we were again struck by how involved this is. She will have a central line and an arterial line as well as all the other tubing that goes with surgery. There is a 10-15% chance she will need the intubation and respiration tubes to remain in after surgery - we are really praying that won't be needed as her gag reflux is so strong she really hates that.

Last night as we were bathing her according to the new standards - all clean towels, new bar of soap, clean bedding and jammies - we were saying how it felt a little like Abraham must have felt when he took Isaac to the mountain. We know Shannie knew something was up, but the details are a mystery to her. It feels a little like taking an innocent lamb to slaughter.

We should receive several updates during the day and will try to post if the computers are available.