Celebrate Recovery!

“and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.” Romans‬ ‭5:2-5‬ ‭

“Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.” Romans‬ ‭12:12‬ ‭

 Closing the door on what’s prayerfully the last chapter in this cancer journey. Surgery was smooth, safe, and swift today PTL! I’m defintely sore but nothing compared to the first (double mastectomy, exploratory lymphectomy, removal of chemo port-a-catheter, placement of expanders under my chest muscles, drains). This was easy-peasy comparatively and gratefully! And no drama with “going under” if any of you remember my crazy anesthesia story from last time.  I told my (Dutch!) anesthesiologist about and asked him if could not have a repeat performance and he took great care of me. I was out before I knew it! Just the way I like it! The nurses, doctors and all the staff were wonderful. I even talked to them about working there!

What was a little crazy though was what my surgeon said. He came to mark me up with permanent marker to draw pictures of where he was going with everything. A road map of sorts, where he was taking fat and to where he was transferring it.  I was all exciting to benefit from this part! Another fringe benefit of going through all this, a silver lining of the surgery, right? Well as he’s pinching and grabbing what I’m thinking of plenty of “cotton to pad the pillows with”, he says, “ not enough here, it’s just extra skin.” Hmmm.  Wonder where that came from...maybe my sweet 3rd son, born at almost 11 lbs, 23 inches?! I remember my dad looking at my big round belly when I was pregnant with him and verbally processing “how is that ever going to go back to normal?!” Well, dad, it didn’t. Good thing you’re well worth, “Little Louie”! I did ask if he could take some from a big bulging bump I have on my outer thigh that’s never healed from multiple accidents like falling off my my bike onto a rock, epic falls skiing, etc. but he says he won’t be able to reach it when I’m laying supine in the OR table. Bummer. Worth a try. 

So he decides to use my inner thighs instead. I’m thinking, “ok, that’d be nice to clear out that area too so my thighs don’t rub together as much.” Even then he said, “there’s not much there.  We’re going to have to scrounge.” What?! Can’t you see all I have to offer? Take it all!😄

Recovery went smoothly too.  They’d give me an anti-nausea patch to put on the night before and pain meds pre-op. And my sweet boy was there to pick me up and take me home to continue resting and recovering in my own bed.  And that’s pretty much what I’ve been doing all day- in bed or in the recliner downstairs so could be a part of the family and hear about my boys’ day! They’ve all been super sweet,

 loving on and helping me.  Of course my whole chest area is sore (wrapped up in another special, tight, supportive bra-thing) as expected but what I didn’t expect was how sore my thighs are! When I looked tonight they’re all bruised up...but not any smaller or “thinner” so it seems.  Bummer again.

All in all a good day.. Beyond grateful to God and to all my dear framily (friends & family) that have given such amazing, faithful support, practically and prayerfully! Precious gifts from Him! And He is where the joy is that strengthens and sustains me physically, emotionally & spiritually! PTL! To God be the glory forever and ever, AMEN!