2nd Surgery to Complete the Mastectomy

Dear Friends and Family,

It has been 3 years since the surgery which diagnosed the original cancer. For the most part I have been doing very well and in many ways I feel I am healthier now than ever before. A PETscan from last May showed no evidence of cancer anywhere in my body. However, as many of you know, the original surgeon left behind a dangerous amount of breast tissue when he did the mastectomy. That breast issue has become very suspect and 2 lymph nodes on either side of the tissue have lit up recently with cancer.

So this Tuesday, March 18th, I will reluctantly be having another surgery to remove the problematic tissue on the right side. At that time, if possible, the surgeon will also remove one of the cancerous lymph nodes. This will allow some extensive testing on the cancer in the node that will help us determine if this is the same cancer, and what treatments would work best to stop it from spreading. The best news about this surgery is that since I will already "be under," they will also do a full mastectomy of my remaining breast. FINALLY, I will no longer be lopsided! I look forward to a summer of not having to wear a hot, rubber prosthesis. I plan to embrace flatchestedness and skimpy summer dresses.

I will be at the Medical Center of the Rockies in Loveland this time around. It is the big new hospital on I-25 near Hwy 34. Surgery will be around 10am in the morning (Tues, March 18), and I will have to stay over at least one night. Since my original surgery was planned as a simple outpatient lumpectomy, and turned into a full mastectomy with overnight hospital stay, I take comfort in knowing more what to expect this time.

Many of the loving people who know me have been asking what they can do to help or to support me during this time. My Beloved Ken will be there for me before, during and after the procedure. He is my rock! After my experience last time I know I will not be very coherent for any visitors on Tuesday. So if you would like to visit I suggest Wednesday. I hope to be discharged Wednesday late afternoon.

I would welcome prayers, candles, and visions of gentle, easy surgery and recovery all day Tuesday. One of the surgery-prep books suggest visualizing me on a pink healing cloud during the procedure and sending more pink clouds after. I've been using this time to create a Surgery Checklist full of ideas to prepare and recover. I also love cut flowers and think every sick person and every hospital room should have them. But if you are coming by you might consider bringing fresh, organic berries as I can't think of a more delightful break from hospital food.

I expect to be home at the Laporte House by Thursday, but I would prefer to have a quiet day to adjust to the recovery process on that day. However, by Friday I'm sure I would love visitors. In fact, I'm sure by Friday Ken would love to get back up to the land to continue the rebuild, so people to stay with me during the days from Friday March 21 through Thursday March 27th would be very welcome and give Ken a much needed break.

They tell me I will not be using my arms for some weeks afterwards. No driving for up to 6 weeks. So cooked meals would be a great blessing for both Ken and me. I imagine soups and stews would be easiest for everyone, but we would be open to any ideas. My main dietary restrictions are all organic foods, no sugar and no soy, and I can not tolerate strong spices, but we do eat meat and stevia is my very great friend. Ken is putting together a schedule for visitors and food, so please call him at 970-305-0678. He is recording three things- people who can stay with me for a half day or a day, people who can bring food, and people who would just like to stop by for a quick visit. This way he knows when he can get away to SunHaven.

Ken and I are doing well and are comfortable with this decision to have the surgery, although it complicates the home rebuilding process. On the SunHaven front, the upper windows for the loft are finally installed. We hope to complete the large, lower windows and install the two downstairs doors soon. There are still parts of the SIPs walls that need to be completed, and the roof is only about 1/3 done. In spite of the slow process and my surgery, we still plan to be living there in May. We have no choice as our insurance will no longer pay for in-town rent after May. We may be camping out for the summer, but at least we will be home!

 If you are close by and have to time to visit or bring food Ken and I would both be very grateful. If that does not work for you, or you live far away, we would welcome your prayers and good wishes. Either way, know you are in my thoughts and are an important part of my healing circle. I am very grateful that you have been a part of my life!