Monday, January 07, 2013

Surgery complete...

What a relief when things turn out better than one's
imagination will lead one to fear.

There's one long incision from the middle of her chest
to just under her arm. No skin grafts.
Two drain tubes that I empty and record the quantity
twice a day.

Surgery started at 1 pm Thursday, lasted almost three
hours, spent two hours in recovery and she was back
home before 2 pm Friday. She has refused to take anything
for pain. Well, I talked her into taking one Motrin when
she mentioned her lower back was stiff. She argued
about taking that! She insists that there is only a tiny
bit of discomfort and I'm not seeing any signs that would
contradict that. (Her bottle of Percocet is looking pretty
good to me.)

The surgeon said they did not remove all the cancer.
The team decided that removing everything surgically
would make her healing too risky and delay radiation.
She has a follow-up visit with the oncologist on Thursday
and the surgeon on Friday. The surgeon is hoping the healing
will be complete in three weeks so radiation can be started
soon after that.

And, in the meantime, she's still getting herceptin infusions
every three weeks. Indefinitely. Those are pretty simple
compared to full chemo. One hour, start to finish.

As long as radiation will knock out the rest of the cancer,
things look pretty good.

You lovely folks who keep visiting here and offering good
thoughts, prayers and encouragement are very, very much
appreciated. I send big virtual thank-you hugs out to all of you.

9 comments:

Doom said...

At least it sounds like the doctors are intellectually involved and have a solid plan and good heads on their collective shoulders. I dunn trust em', but I've learned to trust them hopefully just enough? Keep your own head about you though, when dealing with these shaman!

I'm with your sister on painpills. As for your temptation, perhaps one would fix that? Ugh, but I hate painpills even more than the rest. Try to stay warm and prayers continue.

May you all live well and long enough to become completely put out with one another and learn to live within that. My motto is angry women are happy women... I could be wrong but I don't think so. *grins*

Jean said...

angry = happy? Not for me, Doom, but that's just me.
Since I'm not in pain, one of those pills might give a welcome, warm buzz. Or not.
d;-)

Jenny said...

You are a good sister and I wish you both a very happy and HEALTHY 2013. Put down the perocet and get a medical MJ card. :-)

J Cosmo Newbery said...

It is so good to hear the hopeful tone in your voice after what must have been a harrowing wait through the 'festive' season. Love & distant thoughts to you and your sister.

Jean said...

Boxer, "medical MJ card" ?.
I see you put up a holiday puppy pic at your place so I'll visit to wish you a proper Happy New Year.

JCN, it definitely feels like we've been given some relief. Much love back to you.

AspergantuS said...

Hi. Bet you thought I got lost dintcha.

♫NWM♫ said...

I bet you thought I was lost too...

Jean said...

Well, well, well.

Froth said...

Continued prayers from here, Jean. Yikes and yikes. Strength during radiation for her and you. God bless.