Post Surgery Update # 2

Hello All

Today is Thursday July 31st. I was discharged from the hospital on Monday the 28th.I do have to say that I am not very good at asking for help and not helping out- you know just sitting still. This last year has been a great lesson in asking for help and sitting for me.

David, David Alexander, and William have been staying with David's parents since the 23rd. I came home from the hospital to Memaw and Popo's too. They have been wonderful! We are so blessed. The boys have had so much fun with their grandparents and cousins down the street.

We are going home on Saturday. My sister is coming to help out at the house. We need to get back to our beds and routine. It will be fun to have the sisters and the cousins back together again.

The surgery was very hard. I was surprised. Sounds crazy- but that I would be surprised. All of my other surgeries have been at the longest 2 hours and it took a day or two to feel close to 100%. I knew it would take longer amount of time to heal but I didn't realize how much more intense the pain would be. Today has been one week(at 11pm). Each day is better. I feel little stronger . The pain is less and less, too. All things considered I don't think that I could be doing any better. Every new day is a blessing, a gift, and I do cherish them.

Thank you for you continued prayers, kind words, and well wishes. They are greatly appreciated. I am so grateful to have so many wonderful and loving people caring about me.

love and prayers
Laura

Post-surgery Update #1

Laura has been sleeping a little more during the last 24 hours and despite some pretty intense pain, she is doing very well. She got positive reports from her entire medical team this morning. She'll probably be in the ICU a few more days. She still can't take phone calls, but she is checking her email. Keep those encouraging notes coming.

Laura is Recovering

Laura successfully underwent 15 hours in the operating room yesterday. We arrived at the hospital at 6am and they wheeled her into surgery at 8:00am. We finally talked to the plastic surgeon at 11pm. Laura awoke from the anesthesia at around midnight. Her voice was weak, but she said she was feeling good and in little pain. She is in the ICU right now. Visiting hours are limited to 10a-2p, 4p-6p and 8p-10p. Cell phones are not allowed in the unit and other restrictions do apply. Keep up the prayers and well wishes and I'll send a more detailed report this afternoon.

Upcoming Surgery

I will be at Seton Main for my DIEP flap reconstruction. I will be there for several days. Please feel free to call me on my cell phone. The boys are happily with Memaw and Popo. Sugar is at the dog hotel. All things are going well. Thank you for your continued support and prayers

July 24th, 2008

Thursday, July 24th, 2008 I am having my reconstruction. I am excited to have two breasts again. I am overwhelmed by the packing and planning - trying to care for and prepare for the unknown. But I really am very excited. In my mind this will bring so much closure to my journey with breast cancer. Thank you all for your continued love, support, and prayers. I am so happy and blessed to be here to receive them.

We have renamed the dog Sugar. Snow rhymed with 'no' and it seemed to be confusing to her! Hopefully, this one will stick!

Laura

What's New?

We got a dog today. She is a two year old American Eskimo. Her name is Snowball. We got her from the shelter, she had been turned in by owner as unwanted. She is very mellow. The boys are very excited. It has been almost three years since we had a dog. We were ready.

My reconstruction is on the 24th of this month! Yippppeeee! I am having the DIEP Flap procedure. Here are some links; one is from the surgeon I am using(Dr. Snyder), the other I found very helpful.

www.breastflap.com/diep_flap.htm

www.snyderma.com/Breast.htm

We are having a great summer! Thank you for all your kind words, love and prayers!
Laura