Hi all,

I meant to send this update out sooner, so apologies for the delay. Chi’s surgery on Tuesday was very successful and she is in great spirits! We were hoping to go home that afternoon, but she ended up needing to stay overnight due to the lymph node removal being more invasive than originally planned. We got home on Wednesday afternoon just in time to see the kids get home from school. Nearly all of the doctors, nurses and staff at Emory Saint Joseph’s were amazing and really went the extra mile to make her feel comfortable and assured - especially those during pre-op and on her surgical team.

She has some homework to keep up with over the next few weeks - no lifting her arms above her shoulders or heavy lifting, daily exercises to retain upper body range of motion and keeping her shoulders elevated above her body - even while sleeping. We have purchased/borrowed some wedge pillows and strategically located them around the house (as if we didn’t already have enough pillows)! One good thing about the last few days is that it has forced her for the most part to stay in one spot and be off of her feet. This has helped keep the swelling in her ankles and feet down (which is a lingering side effect from her last chemo treatment in January).

As far as getting a clean bill of health, we are waiting for the pathology report to come back from surgery this week. I also forgot to mention in the last update that while her chemo is done, she will likely need to get daily radiation treatments beginning in April for five weeks.

All of the meals, help with kids, visits and overall love have helped make these past few days easier. Thank you for all of the love and support! 

Brent, Chi, Austin and Nora