Great News! - 6:05 PM

Hey gang-

It's a little after 6:00 PM, we just spoke to the surgeon. I am happy to report that Joan's surgery was a success!

She is being "closed" right now, but Dr. Golfinos told us that the tumor has been completely removed, there was absolutely no facial nerve involvement (ie, no facial paralysis), and - his words - she is "cured".

On a somewhat less positive note, as the doctors had expected, the tumor had already progressed to the point where the acoustic nerve was pretty much shot - so when Joan wakes up she will in all likelihood have lost hearing in her right ear. No fun, but nothing she wasn't already expecting.

We will be able to see her in recovery by about 7:30.

Thank you all for your thoughts and prayers, and I'll keep you informed about how she's feeling tonight and over the next few days.

I know she can't wait until she's up and about - and ready to get back to her OWN smart-ass blogging.

TGV