Over and Done

Mom's surgery is over and done. She did very well, even her BP wasn't scary high....I think she was feeling less anxious today. And even though(to me anyway) this surgery seems more invasive and major than the previous one, she seems much more "perky" after. They certainly haven't let her rest too much. Physical Therapy has already been by to take her on a walk down the hall. She is quietly napping right now though. So I think we can (do I dare?) say she is on to the next leg of this journey with a few weeks of healing and the commencement of chemotherapy....blech.

Her surgeon was once again fantastically wonderful. I wonder if I could convince her to do family practice on the side so I could switch over to her?! I was a little concerned as she is 37 weeks pregnant that her water would break or something during surgery, but she came out of the OR still obviously pregnant, so we were good there. I wonder if she'll be around for the follow-up appts at week 1 and 2?! ;)

I'm happy to report my mom still has an appreciation for a bit of irreverent humor though....she has 2 drains that she gets to cart around for the next little while as she's healing. I told her to name them Thing 1 & Thing 2. She gave me an eye roll and a smile, and told the nurse I got my sense of humor from my dad, ;) Yes I did, and she loved him for it, so she must love me too!

Latest and Not-so Greatest?

I have failed, slacked, and procrastinated. Forgive me. ;)

So I'll back up and update:  We got my mom home the day after surgery, she was a little sore, and tired, but was glad to be home.  She did well and was feeling quite back to normal by the Monday after surgery.  That day she got a call from the surgeon informing her that her pathology report was back on the lump containing the tumor that was removed.  Although her lymph nodes were clear, and initial tests on the lump showed the margins were good, once it got through the pathology exam and got looked at microscopically, there were 2 more small tumors found right on the edge of the tissue, which means the margins were not clear, and the cancer was spreading within the breast....which meant more surgery was needed.

The surgeon consulted with the oncologist and it was strongly recommended that she have a mastectomy.  So that is what we are headed into tomorrow.  Because of this change of plans, the oncologist appointment has been postponed to set up the beginning of chemo.  She will meet now with him in about 3 weeks after she has time to heal from the mastectomy.

She goes in tomorrow morning, and it is anticipated that she will have at least an overnight stay in the hospital.  If you know my mom, you know she is a strong lady, and this attitude has continued.  She knows what needs to be done, and is facing it head-on and doing it.  Certainly a daughter raised by strong parents who did the same thing.  One thing that I realize as I get older when I think back about my grandmother is that she never ever asked "why me" when things happened to her.  She was a widow for 20 years, dealt with kidney failure, heart problems, and nerve damage from her dialysis port.  She just dealt with it.  Never complained or wallowed.  She was a good example.  My mom is the same way.  She is just moving forward, and taking care of this.  Her neighbor brought her a plaque for her birthday, and my mom hung it over her kitchen window.  It is a quote from Joseph B. Wirthlin: "Come what may, and love it." She sees it daily, and she will embrace this quote. My mom is awesome.

I will update tomorrow on surgery results. Thank you, once again, for your prayers.