Surgery Update #2

Hello again

Julie got out of surgery about 45 minutes ago. We get to go in and see her in about an hour. Surgery went very well and Julie did awesome! I am so proud of her.  As I mentioned before, Dr. Green took out 5 sentinel lymph nodes and sent them to pathology.  One was cancer positive, but more may be.  We won't know until the full pathology report is available - another 5-7 days. 

After finding one cancer positive, Dr. Green took out several other axillary lymph nodes, several of which she said were "hard" and those went to pathology as well.  We will know the results as part of the full pathology report. 

Mastectomy surgery went well, as did the reconstructive surgery (the first part). Julie will be in the hospital for about 24 hours.  She should be released tomorrow afternoon. 

Post op activities:

Due to cancer in lymph nodes, Julie will have to undergo chemotherapy.  We will have more details on that on the 1st of August.

We are not sure if she will need radiation.  This will be determined during our follow up meeting after the full pathology report. If needed, it will be "targeted" in the lymph node area.

Due to removal of lymph nodes, she may suffer from lymphodema - the swelling of her arm and hands due to inability of body to "flush" fluids from her arm. This is because the lymph nodes that perform that function naturally are no longer there. 

She is going to be very sore and out of it for a while due to pain meds.


We have a follow up meeting with the plastic surgeon to remove the drainage tubes next week. And a follow up with the oncologist on the 1st of August, and genetic counselor and breast surgeon on the 2nd of August

Specific Prayer requests:

• That they have removed all the cancer.
• That her recovery is quick
• For pain and nausea management (not good right now)
• That she won't need chemo
• That she won't need radiation
• That she won't have lymphodema
• For a clear mind for me - there are dozens of details regarding medications, decisions regarding treatment, trying to get her to do things when she is "out of it" on meds
• For the continued blessing of the Lord - we feel his presence and are so thankful for His provision!

Thank you for your continued prayers!  More in a few hours...