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Judy had an appointment with her surgeon, Dr. Kanthan, on Monday, September 21. The following points detail the results of the appointment. 1. As most people already know, Judy has a tumor in her pelvic area near the lower part of her sacrum. The tumor was first detected in 2013. In July, we found out the bumps that appeared on Judy’s back in late May were actually metastatic colorectal lesions. The lesions on her back have been very painful. Over the last two months, the symptom management team has worked with Judy to find the right mix of topical and other treatments to manage the pain. In the last week, Judy has managed to get some decent sleeps. She has two topical ointments that have given relief. Furthermore, she has a dosage of nerve blockers and sleeping pills that seems to do the trick. 2. The surgery will likely occur in late October. There will be a team of four doctors – a surgeon, neurosurgeon, urologist, and plastic surgeon. The operation will be about 8 hours. 3. The plan is to remove the lower part of the sacrum, the vagina, and the pelvic tumor. There is a possibility the bladder will also be removed or rendered non-functional. This would mean a bladder conduit or a catheter. Depending on the amount of sacrum that is removed, mobility may be affected. 4. You can do your own research on the sacrum, but the short story is: the sacrum connects the pelvis together. The sacrum is also where nerves branch out from the base of the spine. 5. Regarding the lesions on Judy’s lower back, the option of using radiation treatment is not possible because Judy had 28 radiation treatments in the area before her major operation in 2012. The surgeon will have to remove the diseased area, and then graft tissue (likely from the buttocks) into the area where the lesions are removed. There is a possibility the graft area might result in an open wound that may or may not heal. 6. In the coming weeks, Judy will have more imaging done beginning with a CT on October 2. We will also visit the plastic surgeon, Dr. Thompson and the anesthesiologist. 7. Judy had what likely be her last chemo before surgery on September 22. Judy continues to maintain a positive attitude. She is full speed ahead with the plan to have a surgery. We continue to enjoy the support of friends and family through this time of hoping, waiting, and decision making. We also continue to live our lives and enjoy the experiences of each day. We live in the present and when the future becomes our present, we will deal with each challenge as it comes. Knowing that we have hundreds of people pulling for us and surrounding us with love gives us strength. Thank you for your continued prayers, visits, meals together, coffee times, soup, cookies,and casseroles.