Surgery Date is Set - Roller Coaster Therapy!

I thought I would pass on an update. On Wednesday, July 15th I will have a very quick procedure called a lymphoscintigraphy. This procedure is performed before surgery and used to follow the flow of the lymph fluid to the lymph nodes. It will identify the first lymph node to get fluid, that node is called the sentinel node. The test helps assess the stage of cancer and treatment. AT LEAST - this is what I understand. I thought I would share with you, since this is all new information. It is an important test, one I want to come thru with an A+.

Thursday, July 16th will be my surgery day. It will start at 8:15am, although we will have to be at UCI at 6:15am to prepare. The surgery lasts about 4-5 hours and then I will stay in the hospital for 4-6 nights.

On the advise of a friend who had very extensive surgery at UCI 3 years ago, I met with a hypnotherapist, Marilyn. She has recorded three CDs for me. One I will listen to prior surgery, one just before and one post. These CDs are to help keep me calm, focused on success and recovery. She has helped many patients with surgery, so I am glad to have this as part of my overall plan.

Mike will be on duty the week of surgery and days immediately after, and then the Devney Visiting Nurse Team will take turns babysitting. I have pushed Mike and the girls to at least join in with his family reunion for the second part at Lake Okoboji, and he reluctantly agreed. I know that by the time I get home, I will probably welcome the quiet and comforts of home - plus Miss Kitty will be here as my 24 hour care giver. Isn't she just adorable?!?

Yesterday we did a family (minus Amanda) day at Knotts Berry Farm - I really never thought I could do so many roller coasters and actually enjoy them. I keep thinking, if I can go thru this surgery, then I can at least do this roller coaster for 30 seconds! We had a ball, and as Monica and Elyse said - we did not get sick of each other in the 12 hours together. :) The girls are all three so very dear, you can not even imagine.

I am in Arizona tonight with my mother Ruth, Brigid, Dan and my niece, Summer - they come for dinner here at the house in about 30 minutes! I can not wait to see them. (picture above just added from the BBQ tonight) We will do a lot of wedding talk!

All is well. Moving forward. Thank you all for the emails, calls and comments on the blog which get emailed to me as soon as you post them. If you signed up to get the email notifications about new blog posts make sure you check your inbox and confirm your request.

Lots of love. xoxoxokd