We Are Home....Yeah!

We came home from the hospital this morning and we are really glad to be here. I must tell everyone that the care we received at ORHC could not have been better. I refer to "our care" because the staff did care for me and my family and friends. They were competent in the care they provided and they were kind while they were providing it. Dr. Ortell and Dr. Mukkada provided excellent care and we are very fortunate to have them in our community.

Now for the best news of all....the preliminary pathology report shows that the malignancy was located only in the left breast. There isn't any evidence of metastisis or spread to any of my lymph nodes. That was the best report we could have gotten. Because I have an increased risk of developing cancer on the right side, due to my age and other factors, I did have a bi-lateral mastectomy. We will receive the final path reports next week when I see Dr. Ortell, but he doesn't expect anything different to show up. After I visit with my surgeon I will see the oncologist. That is when we will know for sure what my chemotherapy schedule will be and when it will begin. I do have to heal from my surgery before I can start chemo so it could be several weeks. After my chemo has been completed I will begin the process for reconstructive surgery. I would love to have this entire process completed within a years' time, but we will see what happens. Right now we are just thankful that I received the best outcome possible and that I am home and relatively comfortable. I know that all of the above is only by God's grace and mercy. For whatever reason I guess I am to be here a little while longer. Or maybe it was because there were so many prayers that God just finally said "Alright already!"... Whatever the reason it once again "is what it is"...

I want to thank each of you for your prayers, cards, flowers, calls, visits, gifts, food and more. I am very blessed to have so many wonderful people in my life. The staff at the hospital was a little overwhelmed, but they were good sports about the whole thing. (I heard Donohue brought more food for the waiting room then there is on a cruise ship and Arlene did comment that she went on home before she saw me since her number in line was 97 and she would have gotten home too late.) I must admit that as I was rolled into my room after leaving the recovery room, and being severly under the influence of anesthetic and pain meds, I thought maybe we took a wrong turn and ended up at Reeces ! I couldn't believe it when they opened the door and I saw all the flowers! WOW! I am truly humbled by all the well wishes. Once again thank you.

I guess that is about all for now. I probably won't be out and about for about a week since I remain wrapped up like a mummy with strange containers dangling from my body. Plus, I have been ordered not to take a shower or a bath...sponge only... until my check up next week.(Uck!) Hopefully I will be able to be a little more mobile, and clean, after that. Again, thank you.