I’ve promised Christyna to be artful and discreet for this update, like a boudoir photoshoot. This is going to be intimate and revealing without being graphic. I’ll weave a tapestry so beautiful that one can’t help but nominate me for a Pulitzer Prize or maybe even a Tony or Oscar! (Personal tangent, my dad nicknamed me “Oscar” as a youngun’. Big brother was “Murray” and little brother was “Phredd”. But please don’t call me “Oscar” to my face.)

It’s been a roller coaster of a week. Christyna’s abdomen incision opened up and I’ve been packing it for a week. I’m gentle and loving. Christyna has only winced a few times . She is so great with me. The Wound Care Team has commented that most husbands can’t do what I am doing. Neither Christyna nor I like this part. It takes about 45 minutes from start to end- which I don’t include setup or cleanup time. It’s methodical work and I can do ok dissociating myself from the task. “Rely on your training!” Indeed! I have Christyna put on upbeat music during the procedure so I can dance and take a moment to recenter myself. The dancing nurse. That’s me! 

Yesterday, we got a wound vacuum. We see the Wound Care Team tomorrow and will be taking it with us. They will install it. Christyna is kinda upset that she’s going to have to carry around a machine and battery pack for a while. Meeting with the surgical team yesterday, they are really happy about the care I’m providing- Christyna is healing really well! It’s slow, but we keep the course and are getting there. The PA said that everything looks great and soon it’s gonna just super-duper fast close up. I can’t wait for that day! Christyna can’t either!

The final drain was removed yesterday! 2 days before the 6-week deadline! It was so cute watching Christyna twirl with freedom. The wound vacuum is going to take that freedom. Oh well. As we keep telling each other, “This is temporary.” 

The Wound Care Team asked if we wanted a script for a home health care aide. Before Christyna could say anything, I got in a “Yes! Please!” The care team is now getting everything setup for when insurance approves it. The aide will be a 3-times-a-week thing, which means I’ll have to do wound care 3 fewer times until she’s healed! Joy! It’s icky packing the wound and I look forward to being partially released from the duties. We don’t know when they will start. 

Tomorrow, we meet with the Wound Care Team again. We are jumping through the hoops to get her to the hyperbaric chamber part of the healing. Those will be 90ish minute sessions, 5 times a week. It’s a good thing Christyna isn’t claustrophobic! A couple days ago Christyna got her nails did with the girls. They were envious that she gets the hyperbaric chamber paid for by insurance. I don’t advise getting breast cancer for the possibility of a hyperbaric chamber session paid for by insurance. Kinda like I don’t advise getting breast cancer for a “free” tummy tuck and boob job. Just pay for them out of pocket, if you must. 

We are about 6 weeks from the double mastectomy. It’s a roller coaster! It’s a lot of work. Christyna is taking Juven twice a day, on antibiotics until the abdomen wound closes, pain killers as necessary, and loads of supplements to get more protein and collagen into her. It’s all to speed and aid recovery. I fall asleep beat everyday. Christyna falls asleep peacefully. “This is only temporary.” Indeed. 

Throughout all of this, Christyna is continuing to work and serve people! It’s so cool to watch her be indomitable and fulfill her commitment that people have a rewarding future to live into! We take it day by day, but she’s trying to make it to the office 3-4 times a week, for a few hours each time. Her endurance is inspiring!

I’m being called to assist in getting ready. That is what you get for this update. Maybe I can get Christyna to stop striking and post an update herself. Probably not… gotta run, she’s making noises at me!

Love you!

Ryan