One week post op!

I can't believe it has been a whole week since my surgery!  My recovery is going well--All praise to God!

As my son, Pat, said last week, the surgery went well.  We arrived at the hospital at 9:00 am, got checked in and then I was sent to Nuclear Medicine.  The radiologist had to inject an isotope into me so the surgeon would be able to track the lymphatic system and remove my "sentinel lymph node".  This node had to be sent to pathology after surgery.  I must say--OUCH!  that procedure hurt.  The radiologist was super nice and apologetic, but I am praising God is was a short procedure because it wasn't fun:)

Back to my preop room I went.  I was so impressed with the facility and staff at Loma Linda Murrieta.  They welcome family to be with the patient.  They never made us feel like we were an inconvenience. I felt like I received the ultimate in good care.  Did you know that hospitals now have a way for the patient to control the temperature in their own personal space???  Inside the gown I had on, there is a pocket which has an air-hose connected to it.  The nurse gave me a temperature control device that I could turn to warmer or cooler depending on how I felt. That controlled the temperature of the air going into my gown! Awesome!

The surgeons were running a little behind, so my surgery start time was delayed.  I think the hardest part about waiting was the fact that I couldn't have even water all day.  I think I went to surgery at about 2:00, so I was happy to go to sleep.  (That's one way to escape from thirst).

Next thing I knew, I woke up in this beautiful room that looked like the Marriott and my family was all there surrounding me.  What a wonderfully welcome sight!  The night went well, and the next day went well.  I was discharged home, and left after I ate my first solid meal around 6:00 pm.  The surgeons stressed the importance of going home as soon as possible because of the risk of contracting infection in the hospital.  They explained that it would be much better to get home as soon as I was physically able.  My husband and a wonderful friend who is an RN took very good care of me.  I am blessed with amazing family and friends.  All of my needs--physical, emotional, and spiritual are cared for.  God is so faithful.  He has carried me through this second big segment of my journey.

Now I am one week post op.  I haven't had any actual "pain", I just experience soreness and discomfort.  I have two drains that are doing well and the amount is decreasing.  I think that is a really good sign...I'll know more tomorrow after I see the Plastic Surgeon.  I am hoping that he will remove the drains, but I have a feeling he might leave them a while longer.  I will be happy if he at least allows me to remove the ace wrap that has me feeling like a sausage.  Now I know how ladies used to feel when they wore "girdles":)

Thank you so much for your continued faithful prayer.  God is answering.  He is carrying us through this time.  I was blessed with coming through chemotherapy healthy and strong.  God was truly the Great Physician in the operating room last week. He guided the surgeons' hands and I am healing at a remarkable rate.  Please pray that my body continues to heal and that I don't develop any infections.  My strength is coming back and I am anxious to get the "OK" to use my arms.

I know He has great plans, so even when we go through storms we have to rejoice and know that HE is in control.

God bless you,
Jane