Mom was in surgery for about 4 hours (I think). The tram- flap procedure was successful, meaning the doctors were able to move tissue around to build an area for reconstruction. Unfortunately, the surgeon found some fluid buried within her tissue. We think this is the same fluid that her oncologist had already found, and there are no indications at all that it would be cancerous. The fluid is being tested to make sure it wasn't an infection or anything nefarious. This obstacle did mean that the surgeon couldn't continue with the reconstruction procedure, until he knew what it was, and that takes 72 hours. So basically, mom's reconstruction got cancelled due to inclement weather at halftime. To be continued in approximately two months.
She is staying overnight at Christ, and will be home tomorrow morning. She sounds good and is comfortable and ready for bed! I think in the grand scheme of things, though this is a set back, she's just happy to be in the position of health that she can be having these procedures, so is generally fine with the delay. I'll let her fill in the details that I haven't quite gleaned from interpreting doctors words through our parents when she's home!
Thanks for all your prayers,
Julie and the rest of Deans (/ McMahons)
The hospital has WiFi!
ReplyDeleteNice analogy, Julie! I wouldn't say cancelled, though. The doc was never sure he'd be able to do everything today, he was hopeful, but he said he had to see how much skin he could get. If there wasn't enough he'd have to gradually stretch the skin, and put the permanent implant in in about 2 months. He got enough, thanks to all my back fat, but infection in the new skin is the biggest risk to this whole thing, so testing the surprise fluid is a prudent step. So Plan B, implant later, just for a different reason. You might say we are going to actually HAVE a halftime rather than just p,aging the game straight through!
I feel good, thanks to nice painkillers, and this phase is definitely the hardest part, so I feel very good to have it behind me. And fasting was easy this Ash Wednesday since surgery was in the afternoon. Feeling REALLY great with some food in my stomach!
So here's my new joke - I guess I got HALF a new boob for Valentine's Day!
ReplyDeleteYou are amazing and the prayers are still coming your way!
ReplyDeleteAdmire your resilience! Hopefully you can get the "other half" in two months
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