Hi to all my family and friends who have followed our blog.
Yesterday Dan and I made another long all day adventure to San Francisco to see the plastic surgeon. We take snacks and playing cards as we never know how long we will be there! The doctor was quite amazed at how well I am healing and we were able to review more of what went on during surgery, why things look and feel the way they do and see the pictures during surgery again. It is strange to see myself filleted wide open like that...those pictures are forever in my mind! He is recommending some gradual physical therapy for me. Dan and I are also going to start doing some short walks to try and get my strength back. The pain and discomfort are getting more tolerable. We will be seeing the doctors in two months and having a CT scan to check for more cancer in December. This will be the last of the blogs as I will slowly continue to recover and not a lot is new.
This whole ordeal has strengthened my faith, made me stronger and has shown me blessings that I have never known. I am so grateful for all of you who have been by my side the whole way, with prayers, cards, phone calls, meals, flowers, etc.
I love and appreciate you all with all my heart.
Hugs and Kisses XO Karen and Dan
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Sunday, August 14, 2011
THE FRIDAY NITE SMACKDOWN!!!
Well, a week or so ago Karen (we) ventured out of the house for a major non Doctor visit outing. NOT a good thing.
It was a weekend long double reunion. Friday being a "Grow" reunion get together. Followed by a Sat and Sun "friends I grew up with get together" reunion. All in the Hollister, Ca area. Karen lasted until Friday nite. Saturday and Sunday ............not so much. Friday started out with a 3 hour drive to Hollister. We though OK, it's the same as a drive to see the Doctor in SF. Reclined in the car seat .....no problem. Then it was sitting in a reclining lawn chair for a couple of hours while visiting with family ..........no problem. A slow walk across a baseball field to the visit the ladies room ......no problem. Then sitting at a picnic table for a bite to eat .........no problem. Then a slow walk to the baseball field to again relax in the recliner to watch a baseball game for an hour or so ......no problem. Then a return to a family members home to relax in a chair and the recliner to enjoy family once again at the end of the day ..........no problem. WRONG ........big problem! Too many insignificant little "events" added up to one big significant problem. She had a bad night Friday night, to say the least, so she spent the rest of the weekend "vegging" out in the recliner at my brothers house then the 3 hour trip back home. Needless to say I felt pretty bad for not recognizing what a long day Friday was for her. We thought she was set back a couple of weeks for sure. But she had friends over on Wednesday (her Birthday). They brought lunch and enjoyed a nice afternoon with her. And again on Thursday her sisters came over (with lunch) and she was able to enjoy another afternoon with them. All with no ill effects on her.
We then made another trip to SF on Friday to see the Surgeon. We had to leave at 5AM. for the 8AM appointment. I am happy to report that the Doctor said she will not be needing radiation or chemo treatments as the final lab reports show no evidence of any residual cancer cells. He reports that she is doing as good as can be expected and that all looks well.
We will be back in SF on the 23rd (2 month anniversary of the surgery) to visit the Plastic Surgeon. He may instruct us on possible therapy to help build her muscle strength and range of motion.
She continues to improve day by day but this is a long term project and expect full recovery to take upwards of a year or more. Please continue your prayers and thoughts on her behalf. We thank you all for your loving support.
Dan and Karen
It was a weekend long double reunion. Friday being a "Grow" reunion get together. Followed by a Sat and Sun "friends I grew up with get together" reunion. All in the Hollister, Ca area. Karen lasted until Friday nite. Saturday and Sunday ............not so much. Friday started out with a 3 hour drive to Hollister. We though OK, it's the same as a drive to see the Doctor in SF. Reclined in the car seat .....no problem. Then it was sitting in a reclining lawn chair for a couple of hours while visiting with family ..........no problem. A slow walk across a baseball field to the visit the ladies room ......no problem. Then sitting at a picnic table for a bite to eat .........no problem. Then a slow walk to the baseball field to again relax in the recliner to watch a baseball game for an hour or so ......no problem. Then a return to a family members home to relax in a chair and the recliner to enjoy family once again at the end of the day ..........no problem. WRONG ........big problem! Too many insignificant little "events" added up to one big significant problem. She had a bad night Friday night, to say the least, so she spent the rest of the weekend "vegging" out in the recliner at my brothers house then the 3 hour trip back home. Needless to say I felt pretty bad for not recognizing what a long day Friday was for her. We thought she was set back a couple of weeks for sure. But she had friends over on Wednesday (her Birthday). They brought lunch and enjoyed a nice afternoon with her. And again on Thursday her sisters came over (with lunch) and she was able to enjoy another afternoon with them. All with no ill effects on her.
We then made another trip to SF on Friday to see the Surgeon. We had to leave at 5AM. for the 8AM appointment. I am happy to report that the Doctor said she will not be needing radiation or chemo treatments as the final lab reports show no evidence of any residual cancer cells. He reports that she is doing as good as can be expected and that all looks well.
We will be back in SF on the 23rd (2 month anniversary of the surgery) to visit the Plastic Surgeon. He may instruct us on possible therapy to help build her muscle strength and range of motion.
She continues to improve day by day but this is a long term project and expect full recovery to take upwards of a year or more. Please continue your prayers and thoughts on her behalf. We thank you all for your loving support.
Dan and Karen
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)