This morning we saw my surgeon, Dr. Craig Kemper, again, but for the first time since the hospital. He exudes confidence and control. He's got this. We went through my films again, and he confirmed what everyone has been saying:

• We won't know exactly what this is until we get it out. 
• Resecting it isn't a cure, but it is required. 
• It's probably a grade 2 or 3 astrocytoma but it might be an oligodendroglioma which might be a little better.
• Follow-up radiation and chemo will be necessary, and the chemo should be well tolerated

My team (Kemper, and Charles Conrad the neuro onc recently of MD Anderson) put my case before the tumor board yesterday, and this is the consensus. Caris' dad came and joined us for the consult, and was immensely useful in steering some of the conversation so that I could understand. 

Kemper had the surgery scheduled already for Thursday morning, which was a surprise, since we thought he was going to be out all week. As long as his flight returns on time from wherever he's traveling the first part of the week, we're set.

This afternoon, we had a backup consult with Douglas Fox at NeuroTexas who came recommended from by my father-in-law and by my former TACC colleague Matt Cowpertherwaite. Fox was similar. Confident and direct. He confirmed everything that Kemper has told us, and told us that we were in good hands.

This is brain surgery, and these are the kinds of guys I want doing it. They know what they want to do. They've done it thousands of times before. And they're good at it.