Well the day from hell is over. Joan was in the OR for 10 hours and 15 minutes, just can't imagine that. After the surgery's they brought her to the ICU where she will remain for the next few days. When she opened her eyes, Lauren and I were there to greet her. After what she had been through, I was impressed at how good she looked. Her color was back, she was very alert but in lot's of pain. We only talked for a few minutes before they bombed her again into never never land.
I am truly amazed with the skill level of her surgeons. After the mastectomy, they literally cut her stomach from hip to hip and removed tissue, fat and blood vessels. From this, they reconstructed a totally new breast that is living tissue. This was a complicated micro surgery and only about 5 doctors in Chicago are skilled enough to perform this type of procedure. The first 48 hours are the most important for the reconstruction. Every hour they perform an ultrasound to make sure there is sufficient blood flow and color.
Joan woke about about an hour later from her deep slumber and was in good spirits. She joked with the staff and held a very lucid conversation with Lauren and me. My hope is to bring her home on Monday. Since she had two surgeries, her recovery time will be long and difficult. I expect this to cover 2-3 months in total. In about 4 months she will meet with Dr. Song again to reshape the new breast and perform a symmetry procedure on the other. By early next summer she'll look so good she'll be taking the lead role in the new show "Housewives of Naperville".
I am truly impressed with her courage and strength leading up to and including the surgeries. She is truly an inspiration to her her family. I want to thank EVERYONE, family and friends, for being so supportive, providing positive thoughts and being there for us. Your thoughts and prayers have provided the strength to guide Joan through this ordeal and fight this horrific disease.
From Lauren, Chris, Scott, Joan and myself we cannot thank you all enough for everything you have done for our family.
I am off to the hospital and make another post later today or tomorrow.
I'm so glad to hear she's having lucid conversations and sprinkling a little humor in as well. Glad they didn't cut that out! She will most certainly have a long recovery, but she has an amazing support structure in her family, and I can only imagine how much stronger that makes her... every day.
ReplyDeleteRemember to breathe and take care of yourselves too. It can be stressful for everyone, and your stress plays a big role in hers. Give yourself permission to step away and recover from your own ills - the anxiety, stress, worry, and "what-if's" that go along with helping a loved one recover from a 10 hour surgery.
Everything is turning out beautifully. Keep us posted!
Blake
Praise God from whom all blessings flow! Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with you as the long period of healing and restoration begins. Know you are loved!
ReplyDeleteThank you for allowing all of us to walk this journey with you. Each one of the Pettineo's is teaching us something very important about love and family. I can't imagine what yesterday must have been like for Joan, for you Ron waiting in the waiting room all those hours,and for Lauren, Scottie, and Chris and Justine waiting to hear Mom made it through. With all the loving care and attention Joan will receive her painful recovery will be long but bearable. She needs permission to rest and go with the flow. Isn't interesting that she retired to care for herself. Now we will all care for as well. Love, Dolores, John, Kristen,Erin, Kieran and Connor
ReplyDeleteThank you so much Ron for posting these updates as I have been solidly praying for her all week. It must surely be a very stressful time for you. I'm so relieved that everything seems to be running smoothly. I know she's in good hands for the recovery process. Hope you were able to find a nurse's outfit that fits.
ReplyDeleteAll my love to all the Pettineos. Keep the updates coming, I love reading them.
p.s. I read between the lines a little there and I see she snuck in a little tummy tuck...crafty as always.
It couldn't be better news that Dr. J and Dr. Song really "sang" with this surgery. Our prayers continue during the recuperation phase. We are gonna love you through this, Joan.
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