Update #7 - 1/16 - Home from the hospital

Hi Everyone,

Thank you all for the beautiful flowers/cards sent to the hospital and my home - they brighten my day and lighten up the house.

I was able to come home on Wed., 1/14, in the afternoon (my 40th b-day :-). They kept me an extra night since I was far from ready on 1/13 as I had a few fevers and very little sleep, plus not being able to get in and out of bed without major assistance. I had a great group of nurses caring for me in the hospital and also a cute/young team of residents - it was funny - it reminded me of Grey's Anatomy....I have a few stories about them!

Yesterday was my first full day at home and I am trying to figure out all the medications, how they make me feel/sleep, etc. so I am able to be coherent when the girls go to school and get home. Between the Oxycodone, Tylenol, Lovenox (self shot of blood thinner), and one other, it has been interesting. Still not sleeping completely through the night, but getting a few medicated naps a day ;-)

Surgery:
I got more info out of Doug's blog than I remember everyone telling me on 1/12. The one thing I can say is that my darn right ankle felt re-injured coming out of the long surgery - since they had to turn me over a couple times - I quickly asked for ice in the recovery room, and they thought I meant ice-chips, which was nice too - but once it was numb, it was all good and is much better now. Dr. Byrd visited me later in the evening on Monday and brought the resident that sent down the order not to feed me, she was so apologetic, I told her not to worry and that my daughter was determined to help and Dr. Byrd thought Kourts was awesome! He said he got everything he could see - (the node in my groin was the size of a ping-pong ball) and he was very glad not to have to do the skin graft, as the melanoma on the shin wasn't as deep - which is good.

I have some impressive incisions and nurse Glenda is taking care of them very well, along with the 2 drains (one in my stomach and on on my leg - which I will have until 1/30). The girls think that it is all pretty gross, but aren't far from me when they are home and my bedroom is still a good place to do homework ;-)

So I have to say that the best B-day present I have ever received was the news I am Cancer-free. I look forward to hearing the results next Tuesday and then meeting with Dr. Margolin again to make final decisions on my treatment.

Also, thank you for all the food/meals - every bit of it is being quickly consumed, and it all is much better than my family is used to... :-)

Thanks again for all your love, thoughts, prayers, comments and support! We will update the blog next week after we hear the results.

~Keri