No More Surgeries, Please

Hi Everyone

I didn't realize people still read this blog every now and then, so I'm sorry I haven't updated in a while. My surgery went great and I am so glad to have it behind me. I finally felt like I was "done" after my follow up visit with Dr. Lucas on Wednesday the 17th. There are no more surgeries in the foreseeable future. Praise God!! It's hard to believe that last year at this time I was wearing a wig and hats! It seems like a long time ago. So much has happened since then.

I am so thankful to be where I am. God has been and continues to be so faithful and good, and I realize again what wonderful friends I have. I am truly blessed! I am turning the big 4-0 this year and I certainly don't feel that old. Good grief, where has the time gone.

I hope everyone is doing well! I'd love to hear from you.

Hugs and kisses,
Cheryl

Final surgery

Cheryl's final reconstructive surgery is scheduled for Wednesday, May 13. It is an outpatient surgery, believe it or not, so she'll be sleeping in her own bed...er, more like recliner that night.

The last leg of her journey is near! Woop woop!

You know you did the right thing when...

Cheryl had a follow up appointment with her Oncologist this week. He had all of the pathology reports from her most recent surgery and told her there was a finding of pre-cancerous cells in the tissue that was removed. In other words, without this surgery, although there was no cancer yet - she would have certainly had another diagnosis of cancer someday.

She is so grateful that she made the choices that she did.

Praise God!
Cindy

Back in the swing of things & final surgery

Cheryl started back to work this past Monday and is doing well. She seems to have jumped back into her previous schedule without missing a beat.

At her follow up appointment, she learned that she can have her final surgery (reconstruction) much sooner than expected - like before the end of the year! So that is her plan for now.

While she was off following her surgery, Cheryl went with me to Akron Childrens for an appointment for Matthew. (As if she doesn't visit enough of her own docs, I asked her to go with me. :)) On that day, we figured out that it was exactly 1 year ago - to the day - that she was diagnosed. We both immediately got teary eyed, and I was at that moment (and still am) so profoundly grateful for God's faithfulness this past year. I never would have chosen this path for Cheryl or anyone I love. If it were my decision, my loved ones wouldn't ever encounter anything like this, that would cause them suffering, worry or hardship of any kind. But, as Dwight says, "God is much more concerned about our character than our happiness." And as much as that fact is tough to swallow sometimes, I'm so glad God's in charge instead of me!

Enough of my rambling!

In Him,
Cindy

Home!

She's home and doing well! Feel free to call, stop by or email!

Cindy

After surgery

Cheryl's surgery ended around 2:30 or so, and she was in recovery for quite some time, we didn't see her until 6:00, when she was taken to her room. She looked good, and although she would feel sick off and on, her nausea was under control as well as the pain.

I wasn't able to post anymore last night from the hospital, not sure what happened.

The plans are for Cheryl to come home today, and judging how well she looked last night, it should work out that way.

Thanks!
Cindy

How could I forget?! Cheryl's room last night was a suite in the VIP wing! We're not sure how it happened, but her room was incredible! It looked like a hotel room. It was carpeted, had 2 TV's, a fridge, and the fixtures in the bathroom (even on the bidet:)) were gold. I think her suite was as big as the entire downstairs of my house. Wow!

1st phase is done

Spoke briefly with the first Doc and Physicians Assistant about an hour into the surgery. The first portion of the surgery went well and the plastic surgeon has taken over. I asked Debra, the PA how Cheryl was right before her surgery and she said that she was doing really well and joking just before they administered the general anesthesia. This is the Cheryl we all know and love!

Cindy