The big day finally arrived. We woke up very early on thursday, and arrived at Lake Forest Hospital at 6a.m. Lynn seemed a little nervous and slightly less teary than I thought she would have been. Once we entered the hospital the whole thing started pretty quickly. We started in day surgery and within a couple of hours she had been visited by all of the surgeons and was ready for surgery. Then after an emotional and beautiful prayer with friends, just before 8 a.m. I gave her the final kiss goodbye and she was wheeled away.
Now the wait started. I was sent to the waiting room where Katie, Fran, Marcia, and I began the wait. We made ourselves as comfortable as possible and watched the status board for information. Just before 10 a.m. Dr. Ganshirt came out and gave us the news that his part was complete. He informed us that everything went great and the injection from the day before had not traveled anywhere! (that was the radioactive shots that are attracted to the cancer cells) The area near the chest wall that we were all worried about looked great. I was so relieved and excited, I could not wait to tell Lynn.
Then the info started to go out. (I felt like a high school teenager) I sent and received over 300 texts on 2 phones. Sorry to all if I missed anyone or sent the same text twice.
The next part of surgery was now going on. Dr. Lu was putting her back together. We were expecting this to take till 2:30. Just about 1:15ish Dr. Lu came out with a big smile on his face. He said Lynn was in recovery and doing great. Dr. Lu explained his part of the procedure and answered all the questions we had. She finally was moved to a room and began to rest.
Right around 3:30ish we were able to go to her room. She and I were so happy to see each other. Then I was able to tell her what the doctors had told us. When she heard what Dr. Ganshirt had told me she took a big breath and teared up (HAPPY TEARS!). Then she asked what about the chest wall? I told her that the injection did not travel, all looked great and possible no radiation. :) She looked so relieved. Grandma Marcia brought a beautiful get well card from our 3 beautiful girls, and the gift shop delivered pink roses from my parents.
Dinner. Lynn was fed a gourmet dinner of cherry jello, hospital chicken broth and a popsicle. She was so hungry that it tasted good. After dinner she finally started to look awake and aware. The only issues she had was pain, and the morphine pump would beep at her when she had her limit. I stayed with her till midnight, and then made her as comfortable as possible and left her to rest. SHE MADE IT!
The Day after Surgery update
The first morning after surgery was the start of physical recovery. Friday started by bringing the kids to see mommy. Each of them seemed to focus on a different part of mommies medical equipment. They were happy to see mommy out of bed and in the recliner chair. Katelynn would not leave mommy alone until she helped Lynn pick out lunch and phone in the order. She thought it was cool that mommy could pick anything and it would be delivered right to her room. I told Katelynn not to get any ideas. (she also picked up on this same food deal with Great Grandma Peck in he nursing home) Sarah took time and did not say much. She looked at all the machines with lights and numbers flashing, and followed the leads to mommy. Sarah will quiz mommy when she gets home. Lindsey, our little bundle of OCD energy, just wanted to push the morphine pump hand button. After Lynn was in need for a button push, Lindsey was there for the job. Then she was able to enjoy seeing mommy. During the visit with the children, Lynn's first surgeon made a stop to check on Lynn. I introduced Dr. Ganshirt to the girls and explained what his part of the surgery. All of the the girls thanked him for taking the cancer out of mommy as he left. They all gave Lynn as many little hugs and tons of kisses as they wanted. After 1.5 hours they had as much hospital as they could take. They were now off to a play date with the Bonk's and James families.
While I was dropping the children at the play date, Lynn was visited by Dr. Lu. He checked his work and applied an ointment on her incisions. This was the first time Lynn saw her new parts. "Wow, they are so much smaller" Lynn said. She has been amazed how it feels.
When I returned her dad was in visiting. He had been with her during lunch, and left shortly after I returned. Lynn was so glad to see him.
I have been joking with Lynn (and you think I wouldn't) and keeping her spirits up. She has 2 new "sisters" and 10 newly found toes! Lynn would probably slap me if she could catch me. I will get mine just give her time. She has noticed that her balance is off, and is happy that her back pain may be gone.
Lynn had a number of visitors that seemed to have planned their visits. We never had a backup, they were so evenly spaced one after the other. In my opinion that is just what she needed. All of the talking she did helped her with the breathing exercises. For all the parents, aunts, uncles, friends and former oncology nurse, thank you for keeping her laughing. I think this also helped her want to sleep last night. Thanks for all of the flowers and cards, they make her smile and brighten up the room with color and fragrance. I left just after 11 and she was ready for bed.
Hopefully after today she will get out of the hospital. There is a small chance she will be there until sunday. If that is the case I will continue to write her blog. Sorry if i seemed to ramble at times, but when I sit here my mind races on things I need tell all of you. I thought I would have blogged auto websites about suburbans or campers, but nothing is as important to me as my wife/family and our battle with cancer. Thank you again for all the thoughts and prayers, they mean so much to us. She made it one full day!
Breaking news. I just talked to Lynn, and she will be at the hospital until sunday. They want to keep her, to get her even stronger.
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