Prayer for Larry

We have a really good friend named Karen.  She's been our friend since we joined our first small group about 9 years ago.  Karen is not only our friend, but she babysat Josh and Hannah back in the days when I worked as a nurse.  She actually became our babysitter before Josh was even conceived.  We love Karen.

Now, Karen has a husband named Larry.  He's kind of gruff and cranky, but he's also very sarcastic and funny.  Larry has had several health issues over the last few years, including being hospitalized about two months ago.  While he was hospitalized Larry was very confused.  They thought it was the infection that was causing the confusion and assured Karen that it would get better over time.  It did not and has not gotten better.  After a dangerous drive on the freeway, Larry had an MRI that showed a very large (4 X 4 inch) brain tumor.  The tumor appears to be blanketed over the frontal lobe of his brain.  From the top of his head down over his forehead.  It appears to even be touching his sinuses.

The point of my story is this.  Larry is going into the local University hospital today to get this tumor removed.  Today they will admit him to the hospital and attempt a procedure where they will try to kill as many blood vessels as possible that are feeding the tumor.  This is to help decrease the risk of bleeding and stroke during his surgery tomorrow.  The surgeon is planning on spending several (all day) hours tomorrow (Tuesday) removing as much of the tumor as possible.  Since it appears to be covering the brain they feel fairly certain that it is removable as is doesn't appear to be "in" the brain tissue.  But because of it's size and the fact that it is on his brain, though, it will be a very meticulous surgery.  Also because the tumor has been pressing on his brain for so long, they do not know how things will go once the tumor is removed and the brain "stretches" back out.  They think that Larry will be hospitalized for a couple weeks to a month.  They also say his recovery will be long and slow and that he may lose his ability to smell since it's in his sinuses.  On the positive side, they don't think it will affect his vision and his personality should get a little more pleasant.

So what I am asking from all of you is prayer.  Prayer especially today and tomorrow.  My prayer is that the surgeon will walk away from Larry tomorrow scratching his head.  That he will walk out of the operating room wondering why the surgery was so much easier than he expected.  Thinking that it could only be a miracle that the tumor was so easily removable.  I am also praying that there will minimal bleeding and that there will be no complications, like a stroke.  I am also praying for peace for Karen and Larry, that God would just blanket them with his peace.  So will you join me?  I know that Larry and Karen could use all the prayer we could give them, especially in the next 48 hours, but for the days, weeks and months to come.  I will try to keep you all up to date on what is happening.  Thank you for taking the time to lift Larry and Karen up in prayer.