Thursday

I have had a few rough days. I actually have more pain now than in the first few days. The swelling is reduced and the tubing for the drains has become very uncomfortable. I am thankful for pain meds.

I'm Okay

I'm okay. I have some pain and muscle spasms but I'm reluctantly taking the pain medication and getting through it. I wish I didn't have to take them, but I do. I feel like I think slowly.

I'm impatient to feel well. My headaches have been much better (narcotics?) but I tire very easily.

If you're curious, the incisions are 8-9 inches long. They run from the side of the sternum under my arms. I have quite a bit of numbness and the skin feels very tight right now, like I'm wearing a tank top that is way to small.  I know that will improve once I can do some exercises. 

Please excuse me if I repeat myself.

I miss my students and am looking forward to coming back to school. I know they're fine but still on my mind.

I appreciate your positive thoughts, prayers and encouragement. T.

Comforts of home

It is so nice to be home. How grateful I am to have such a nice place to live. The staff at Moffitt were phenomenal but hospital rooms are not comfortable. 

The trip home was uneventful and I dozed most of the way.  Even when I'm not 2 days out of surgery, I get sleepy in the car. I think it's a carryover from traveling as a kid.  My parents were both heavy smokers and that combined with motion sickness made me a less than pleasant travel companion.  Just ask my sister and brother.... Sorry!  I guess I coped by sleeping and now if I'm going to be in the car for a trip I get sleepy before we cross the county line. I'm not much company but at least I'm not up-chucking, eh?

I was happy to see my furry kids and they were happy to see us I think.  I've been pounced on once which wasn't nice but no damage was done. The outdoor critters are returning now that they realize the food servers have come home. Our neighbors Kathy and Terry take very good care of the kits when we're away but we don't ask them to feed the raccoons. There are up to 14 who dine regularly including a litter of 4 babies.  Some people disagree with our feeding them. We humans continue to encroach upon undeveloped land/lots and their natural food sources are disappearing rapidly. I feed them apologetically. 

My sister and brother in law came from Tennessee to be with me and I can't say how much I appreciate them. I'm looking forward to spending some time with them before they go back. It's a great comfort to me to have my sister in the room with me.  I can't explain it really. She provides a sense of security and warmth. I'm grateful.

I feel good. I'm sore of course and the skin is very tight across my chest. I have exercises to do once the drains come out. The worst discomfort is under my arms. There are spots that burn like a hot poker, or what I imagine would be like a hot poker.  Dr. Kiluk said it is the severed nerves. I'm trying not to take many pain pills because they make my brain feel foggy and I end up sleeping for hours after I take them.  I'm concerned my writing may be lacking, especially syntax so please overlook the errors. 

I am so grateful to my family and friends who call and text. I feel very loved. Your prayers are effective and appreciated.  God is so good to me.

Resting

Terri is back home and resting comfortably in her own bed.  She is a bit sore and tired but is doing great.  I'm sure in a few days she will be ready to have a few phone calls and visitors, but for now is not up to it.  I'm sure she will want to send an update when she's awake, but I thought you all needed to know she was home.  Shelly

New day

I'm doing well. I'm tender but I won't complain too much.  The morphine drip is discontinued and OT has been in to teach me exercises.  Dr. Kiluk was here and said my sutures look good.

I have to say I'm being carried right now--nothing else could explain it.  Your fervent prayers are effective and I thank you so much for them.

Love, Terri

Hi!

Isn't God awesome??  I'm feeling fine. Of course I'm quite tender and the armpits are uncomfortable. Thank goodness for my magic button and ice packs.

As Shelly posted previously, the preliminary results indicate the lymph nodes are not involved.  I should have the final results in a few weeks.  This is very good news.   

Dr. Kiluk just stopped by with some students. He is so kind. Have you ever had a doctor tell you that he loves you? He told me a few times. I know he means as a child of God but it was so nice.  Everyone in the hospital seems to adore him. He treats everyone so kindly.  

I'm not thinking very quickly so I think I'll end this post.  Thank you all for your love and prayers.

Love, Terri 

P.s.  I'm wearing a tube top for the first time in my life!  It is pink with tiny roses and has Velcro down the front and acts as compression.  Dr. Kiluk said some people wear them w short shorts, haha.  I won't be sporting that look.  : )

Surgery

Surgeon just came out  and advised everything went as expected.  Terri came through beautifully and is going into recovery for about 1 1/2 hours.  Surgery was "boring" with no detours or roadblocks is how Dr Kiluk put it.  I can only take that as great news as surgeries go. We have Been blessed with a great sugicaal team that took good care of Terri, and we are now on the way to a full recovery.  Thanks to you all for your thought and prayers.  Will update we / I know more,  Shelly