Am I A Hunk, or What?

Voting is now open for The Eight Hunks of Hanukkah. If you don't vote for me, the terrorists win. In the spirit of logrolling, I also urge you to vote for regyt.

Apparently only one of my submitted photos is on the voting page. I probably broke a rule or something. Despite that slip, I am currently in eighth place, just on the bubble for inclusion. On the other hand, a cat appears to be beating me (a handsome cat, I admit, but a cat nonetheless), so we clearly have room to do better.

We appreciate your support.

Now That the Important Stuff Is Out of the Way

Leo had his third operation today.

This was not what we had expected. His last procedure took place on September 15, during which four tissue expanders were inserted under parts of his back that weren't covered by the mole. At the time, we were told that expansion would take about three months, meaning that the next procedure would take place in mid-December.

About two weeks ago, when Lauren took Leo to the surgeon for a saline injection, the surgeon asked us to make an appointment for surgery on November 15. Lauren pointed out that this would be only two months after the previous operation, but the doctor said that he thought Leo was ready.

Then, four days ago, on Friday morning, the surgeon called us at home. He had been lying in bed all night, he said, "thinking of his favorite patient." Leo's expanders were close to perfect, he said, and he didn't want to risk Leo's bruising or otherwise irritating the skin. "Schedule the surgery for November eighth," he said. We were surprised and anxious, but we did as we were told.

The operation took about two and a half hours. The surgeon removed all four expanders and most of the mole. He said afterwards that everything had gone very well.

Leo is in the hospital tonight with Lauren. (Lauren stays with him in these circumstances because, when Leo gets really upset, he wants his mommy, not me. I go home and sleep so at least one of us can be rested.) We were told that this operation should be a lot less painful than the last one, and Leo seems a lot more comfortable than he did last time. He comes home tomorrow.

The next procedure, we have been told, will take place three to six months from now, when Leo will get his second (and hopefully final) set of tissue expanders. That will in turn be followed by his fifth and final operation, the removal of the last of the giant mole.

Lauren and I are exhausted, physically, mentally, and emotionally. The crises continue.