Out of Surgery

Lauri is out of surgery! We just talked to the Surgeon, and he reports he only found that one tumor - he didn't find anything unexpected. The surgeon removed Lauri's lower lobe in order to obtain "negative margin." He was able to save the upper lobe of Lauri's left lung (i.e. he didn't have to remove the entire left lung). Negative margin is important because it means he got the entire tumor, and didn't leave any cancer cells behind to start new tumors later. A post-op biopsy of the removed mass will be necessary to make sure the margins are negative, but the Surgeon gave Lauri the best chance for success by taking the entire lower lobe.

Lauri has shown remarkable healing from the previous surgeries, regaining very good lung function in the past. The surgeon believes that assuming she continues her good healing, she will not even notice that the lower lobe is gone.

It will take time to heal, but Lauri is headed in the right direction. Here's hoping we don't have to do this again!