April 30, 2009 - Drain Remains - Lizards and Snakes

Hello friends and family, As always, thank you all so very much for always being concerned for us and for all the emails, cards, and prayers. Things have been going well since my last update, still healing little by little. Although the healing seems slow to me, my Mom and John said they can see definite improvements. I did finally go sit outside in the sun for the first time in over three weeks yesterday and it felt really good! The plans were to go sit outside the day before, but "something" came up that brought that to a halt. Yep, you guessed it, my funny story for the week. As you all may know, my Mom is staying with me every day while John goes to work. Her worst fear on planet earth is a lizard, and Lord help us all - one got into the house! She went straight into panic mode and was insistent that it be mutilated with the broom. I finally managed to convince her to give me the broom and I would sweep him out the back door with my good arm since she was about to have a heart attack. Since I have done this a time or two in my life of living on the river, I decided to open the back door first so it would be easier to sweep him out. When I opened the back door, I saw a four-foot snake merrily crossing my back yard. So, I yelled at Mom to come see something that she should really be afraid of instead of lizards. This mother of mine, who just had a major come apart over a tiny little lizard, now has zero fear of going and chasing down a 4-ft snake across the yard with a hoe. I am pleading with her to stop trying to kill the snake since I would be unable to drive her to the hospital and also that I would not have anyone to take care of me .... when the snake turned on her, she decided that I might be right and made a good decision to let him go about his way. Needless to say, it was difficult to make another effort to go outside the next day, but with brooms and hoes in hand - we made it a good 45 minutes at least!

Today, I went back to the plastic surgeon and had the bandages removed from the abdomen and breast. He also removed the stitches from my newly placed belly button. We were hoping to have the last drainage tube removed today, but unfortunately it is still draining too much, so I will have to keep it for a while longer. He said maybe it would be ready to come out next week. I also go back to the general surgeon next Wednesday to get the results of my Oncotype DX test that will tell us what the recommended chemo/treatments will be for my particular cancer. We will send you another update when we know more. Love to all,Liz

P.S. It has been so inspiring to me the number of people that are truly suffering with so much in their own lives that have taken the time to call, cook, send cards and check on me. I am also amazed by the Pastors and sunday school classes outside of my own church that have called to pray with me and send cards. There are so many Godly and amazing people and I am truly blessed to witness the generous love of God's people. Keep the faith!