TL; DR: We hope you had a great Thanksgiving! Surgery is on Friday, 12/2. I am glad the day is here but I’m scared and nervous about the surgery and recovery. I’ve been trying to prepare for surgery both physically and mentally. Some requests for prayers/positive thoughts/support. We’re getting excited to be somewhat out in the world again soon…I was able to get my COVID booster and flu shot. Our Christmas tree is up and I love it. Thank you for all you do for us!
We hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving! Ours was quiet at home as we sought to minimize my probability of getting sick before my surgery the end of the week. Thank you to all of you for your condolences on the passing of my Father-in-Law, and continued support, it makes such a difference, and we are so very grateful!
Friday, 12/2, is my first surgery and well, I’ve got a lot of mixed feelings. (I suppose that’s not terribly surprising…) I’m glad the day is here because I’m tired of waiting for it to get here and I’m ready to be on the road to recovery. That being said, I’m not terribly excited for surgery and I’m scared and nervous for the recovery. (Not that anyone is excited for surgery itself I expect…) The unknown of the recovery in that the drains stay in for 7-14 days (how long will it really be?), how much pain there will be, how well will I tolerate the pain meds, what will I be able to do on my own vs. with help are all things that I am struggling with. In the the end I guess I just have to go with the flow and accept that I can’t plan it all out/know everything in advance.
I know I noted in my last post that I have been practicing getting out of bed and off of sofas without my arms…that’s going well, I should be able to get up on my own which is nice. Since some of the kitchen cabinets are above shoulder height Mike and I also decided we’ll put some of the dishes that I use daily on the counter. (For the first 3 weeks I can’t move my arms above 90 degrees from my shoulder.) We did a little “Day In The Life” walk through to see what else might need to change in my routine after surgery and that was helpful. (There are no engineers here at all. :))
I’ve also been preparing mentally with relaxation meditations twice a day most days and trying to keep the walking up. The idea being to reduce the amount of stress hormones in my system so that healing isn’t impaired. I think there’s a lot to be said for the mind/body connection and so while it’s an old book (and I wish this would be updated, I’d like to see more current research on the topic…) I’ve been following the recommendations (and asking my medical team to do the same) from the book “Prepare for Surgery, Heal Faster” by Peggy Huddleston. I figure none of it can hurt!
To that end I’d like to please ask that if you pray and/or send positive thoughts I would be most grateful for the following prayers, positive thoughts, and support on Friday and beyond.
- Guidance of the entire surgical and hospital team that the surgery and hospital recovery will go well including particularly:
- Minimal lymph nodes needing removal
- Bleeding is minimized
- There is no infection
- At 0830 PT on Friday,12/2, I’d like to ask that you please envision wrapping me in blue blanket of love and peace so that I will be relaxed and calm as I enter surgery (Surgery is at 0900 PT)
- Pathologically there is no living cancer in the removed breast tissue or lymph nodes (specifically: pCR (pathological complete response) defined as no invasive and no in situ residuals in breast and nodes); this is what we expect/hope to see based on the extremely positive MRI and physical exams (We’ll find this out sometime the week of 12/12)
- I won’t develop lymphedema
- My shoulder movement will be retained and PT will do its job
- A comfortable and swift recovery
I am also trying to add more protein to my diet to promote healing.
A note on how I am physically feeling now that it has been 5 weeks + since my last chemo treatment. I feel pretty good! Mostly normal most of the time but I am not yet back to my previous energy levels which will take time.
On a slightly different note, one thing we’re really looking forward to is socializing again – it will be so nice to see people again! (I’ve gotten my COVID booster and my flu shot, I was so excited.) While it has been tough pretty much hiding from everyone all these months, it did work, and I didn’t get sick while I was severely immunocompromised which would have been bad. My doctor says that even though my numbers are good it will still be a couple of months before I’m fully whole but I am well on my way and that’s fabulous news! (Yay for neutrophils in the normal range, even if it’s the bottom of the normal range!)
To continue the tangential thoughts, we did get our Christmas tree up along with some lights outside (outside lights were all Mike!) and I have to say I am completely in love with Twinkly Christmas lights that change colors in so many ways. I was firmly in the multi-color incandescent lights camp until these came along. A bit of a splurge, but well worth it – the Christmas tree is bringing me so much joy!
Thank you everyone for all you do to continue to support us in this journey – we are so grateful for all of you! (We’ll try to get something up here pretty quick post surgery to let everyone know how it all went!)
The now “standard” note at the end of posts for website navigation help:
Thank you for taking time to keep up with us and see how we’re doing as well as all the help! Because, I think like me, much of the world does nearly everything on their phones…I’m adding this note to the end of posts to make website navigation easier if you are on a phone. If you’d like to read other journal entries, please click here (oldest post is at the bottom of the page). There’s also a “hamburger” menu in the top right of the webpage that can help you navigate between the journal, ways to help page, stay in touch, and welcome pages. Please know that reading this page and thinking of us is help! Thank you for your support in all forms! If you have any issues, please email [email protected].
Everything will go well…you’ve been a great patient
And you will be a great advocate to someone else in the future!
So proud of you!!!
You’ve shown poise and bravery to us all!
❤️❤️❤️
I love you so much. I will be lifting you up in prayer.
Prayers are going your way. You will do great you have a support team.
Love Craig and Sharon
The Blue Blanket Irregulars are setting reminders and will be on deck at 2030 hrs for blue blanket thoughts. Mine will be sent by air as j will be in flight.
You got this, Spartacus, and we got you!
J
P.S. Protein? So much comfort food sushi!! 🙂
Good luck on Friday and in your recovery, you got this ?❤️
Hi Kathryn,
Happy Holidays!?I hope you had a wonderful thanksgiving and wish you a merry Christmas.
I’m a bit lost for words, but want you to know that you have a special place in my heart as a former colleague and friend.
Of course, I’m saddened to know you are in such a fight for your health, but comforted knowing you are courageous, strong and ready for what is to come. I’m sure you are in good hands and pray you will recover quickly.
In the last two years I’ve known two other women who have had diagnosis like yours. Both are artist and have both recovered and returned to their craft. One of them Marina Perez (twinwallsmuralcompany.com) is a San Francisco muralist who is an amazing warrior woman like you and has shared some of her story.
We kept her in prayer most of last year as she was going through what you are experiencing. I belong to a group of friends who pray the rosary nightly. I have added your name to our list.
Stay strong my friend. Be brave.
Sending you my best healing energy.
Karl
I will be praying for you Kathryn. It was one year ago on 12/1 that my wife had her breast cancer surgery. It happened to be her birthday and it was a little humorous when everybody asked for her DOB to verify her identity. “Happy Birthday but why would you do this on your birthday?” Turned out to be one of her best birthday gifts and all is well now. I pray for an extremely positive outcome for you and that would experience, not only the warmth of your blue blanket but also the Lord’s arms and all your friends and family thinking of you, praying for you and wanting nothing but the very best for you.
Kathryn, my children and I have been praying for you nearly every night since we learned about your diagnosis. Now we will have a much more specific prayer for you this week. Your inner strength and hope continue to be an inspiration to all of us as you face this battle. Sending prayers your way for a very successful surgery and rapid recovery.
Sending you lots of good vibes and prayers for Friday. You are going to crush it!
I am certain that you will be fine. So far everything has been working out and so let it roll.
The Chinese says 早沾勿藥，which means wishing you bidding farewell to medicine soon. I wish you just that. Take care.
Best wishes. Many prayers. Everything will be perfect! You got this!!!
Only good things … courage, strength, love,
To the medical team, all those important clinical details of course,
As many blue blankets and twinkly colored lights as your heart desires …
רפואה שלמה
My dear Kathryn I am so happy to hear the tree is up and your Christmas spirit is bright. Advent is the season of waiting for all things good. And I believe all good things are coming your way.
❤️Maureen
Praying surgery goes well and a speedy recovery ??
Kathryn, Praying for you and your surgical team for a successful surgery, followed by a speedy (as can be) recovery. Praying for Mike to continue with the wonderful support for you. Know that you are showered with prayers and love.
Dear Kathryn – you’ve got this! The three of us are all sending our strength to you. Much love – Megan
Thoughts with you today Kath (02/12 or in US speak it’s 12/02). Sending you Love and strength for your surgery and recovery xxx
Kathryn,
I was unaware….. I’ll keep you in my prayers; pray all are wise in the hands that operate, quick easy recovery, & safety w/o complications! Sweet friend, my prayers will be sent?
We will be wrapping that blue blanket around you at just the right time and pray that you can feel all the love and hope surrounding you throughout surgery and continue during recovery. Just remember, you are so very precious to all of us and Jesus will be sitting beside you all the way. We love you! You are amazing! You got this!