tomorrow is the big day

it seems like the past few weeks have flown by and i can't believe that it's almost time for....

MY BIRTHDAY!!

oh, and matt's major surgery. but let's keep our priorities straight here. i'll be 31. you can send me presents and cards. i think it would really make matt feel better. 28 farm st, dover, ma 02030

matt is doing well and has gained at least 10 pounds since he was discharged from the hospital in april. his surgery was supposed to start at 10:30 tomorrow morning, but due to a cancellation, they moved him up to the 7:30 am time slot. i can't honestly say that either of us is overjoyed by this news, as matt now has to check in to the hospital at 6:00. and it's not like if he gets the operation over with earlier in the day, we'll be able to get home before rush hour or something. the surgeon also told him that, although this procedure typically takes 6-8 hours, he'll have matt out of there in five and a half. always one to enjoy a good competition, i have made a wager with the surgeon and will be timing him. if i win, the surgery is free. if he wins, i have to give him evie (don't worry, aaron and julie- 5 and a half hours? a whipple procedure? come on- it's a sure thing. just like brother derek was a shoe-in to win the kentucky derby. or the yankees will win all 19 games against the red sox this season. wait, what?... 14-3 last night? oh man, sorry about your daughter, julie, and sorry about your yankees, aaron).

matt will be in the hospital for 6-7 days after the operation, healing and and gaining strength. the doctors have given him more information about his recovery. after one month, he will feel fine but will likely still tire easily. after just two months, he should be back to normal. unfortunately, they do now think there is a strong possibility that he will need chemotherapy, but they won't be totally sure until they dissect the tumor.

keep matt in your thoughts tomorrow. and, as always, don't forget about my birthday.