The Eagle has Landed

Much to our surprise, Cheryl was discharge from the hospital today, Friday. That's only 3 days after surgery. I'm hoping it's not the insurance company that's pushing her out (I don't think so), but what her Doctor told us, "There's bad stuff in hospitals, you really don't want to be her if you can."

She can move around, but she walks like a little old lady, all hunched over. That's due to the tummy tuck she received as the added bonus for the procedure. To get an idea of the feeling, bend over and grab a big handful of that stomach roll (if you don't have a roll, grab someone elses). Now while holding your new breasts, stand up. How far did you get? Over the next several weeks her skin will slowly stretch, and she'll be walking good as new.

In the meantime, as a friend of Cheryl's at Hopkins says, "It's only temporary."

Knit one, Purl Two

After a 4am start, 1.5 hours in pre-op, 9 hours of surgery, and 4 hours of post-op, it's finally done. Cheryl has done well. She's groggy, (duh!) but overall OK. I left the hospital around 9:30, so it's pretty late. I'll post an update tomorrow.


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Well, I definitely was tired, I forgot to push the publish button! The day after surgery they have Cheryl up and sitting in reclining chair. Her color looks good, but she's fighting a headache (anesthesia) and naseua (painkillers). The doctor's keep coming in to admire the handiwork (and to check if everything is fine)

Pre-Op Update

Just a quick note to say that I cleared my pre-op testing and am ready for surgery. Mark and I attended classes on taking care of my wounds. Apparently, the stomach incision will be the hardest as I may not be able to bend for weeks. I was told it will be a 10-12 hour operation and will take up to 8 weeks to feel like myself. The weird part about the surgery is that they re-locate my belly button :-)

For those of you that are over 18 and have an interest, this website shows before and after pictures of a DIEP flap (http://www.diepflap.com/reconstruction-beforeafter.html). It is pretty amazing. For me, these pictures are very re-assuring.

This week I am catching up on all the business stuff that needs closure and then I will spend the weekend doing last minute chores.

Mark will post after my surgery on Tuesday to let you know how I am fairing.

PS the picture is from our trip to Norway this summer. I am getting hair!

Surgery Date - September 25th

Wow, has it really been that long since I last posted. I guess that means I am doing well. Actually, I feel great and really enjoyed the summer trips with the kids. Herceptin is going well, but still causing heart problems. I get my next dose on Monday, but will more than likely have to wait 2-3 months before resuming treatments. My bone scan came back clear!!! So know sign of the big 'C'. The big news is I have a surgery date for my reconstruction and it is with my requested doctors. I will be having my prophylactic mastectomy and reconstruction (DIEP Flap) done on Tuesday September 25th at Johns Hopkins. The operation lasts 10 hours and I will be in the hospital for 3-5 days and thus the earliest I will be discharged is Friday, but I bet Saturday is more like it. I should be in the Weinberg building if anyone wants to visit. I would love visitors as hospitals can be so scary. They tell me the recovery time is 4-6 weeks and I can be back to work part-time after 3 weeks since I work from home. However, knowing I am getting a tummy tuck in the process does help ;-) I am back to work full-time, but will cut back next month until I am recovered. I will have Mark post on the 25th to let you know how my surgery went.