Quick Update - Surgery Week

Busy, busy, busy

I wanted to provide a quick update on what's happening the next 3 days.

Today we had two doctor appointments - one with the Chiropractor to relieve some pain, which was very helpful, and the other with the plastic surgeon.  The plastic surgeon had to continue to expand and stretch the left reconstruction to provide room for Dr. Green to go in an excise the cancer that is remaining.  Julie is very, very sore. Happy today, but sore.

Tomorrow we meet the general surgeon, Dr. Fedorak, who will put in the chemo port on Friday.

Thursday is pre-op and surgery registration. Hopefully she can do that over the phone rather than another trip to the hospital.

Friday is surgery day.  We need to go into the plastic surgeon's office at 9:00am to have him remove all the saline from the expander on the left side which will give Dr. Green the room she needs to do the removal of the remaining cancer. We then go to the hospital somewhere between 11:00 and 11:30 to check in. Surgery will begin at approximately 1:00pm. Its expected to last about 2 hours. Dr. Green will excise the remainder of the cancer, and Dr. Fedorak will put in the port to administer chemo. The port will be put in a vein in her chest cavity.  That surgery alone will be near an hour.

We are not sure if she will be sent home after recovery from surgery, but that is the current plan.  It all depends on how well she recovers from the anesthesia. If it takes her too long, they may admit her for the night.

So many people have asked how they can help...thank you all.  So, based on a suggestion from a good friend, here is how you can help.  3 ways. And for you who know me at work, you know "its always 3":

1. Continue to pray for us.  We are asking for specific prayer for surgery - that every spec of cancer will be removed and that there is no more anywhere else in her body.  And that it will never come back. Please also pray for a quick recovery from surgery on Friday.
2. Should you feel led to help with food or whatever, please visit Julie's Care Calendar - enter security code 8146.  
3. We'd love to have as many people walking with us as possible at the Race For The Cure on September 11.  You can sign up here: Oh The Places You Go Team Signup. If you need more info or instructions on how to sign up, visit the previous blog post: Race For Cure Blog Post

We are blessed. Thank you all for your thoughts, prayers, concern, help and friendship. We love you all!