I’m keeping it! If the Houston Natural Science Museum has such lax security, they deserve to be yoinked from. “Finders keepers” as we used to yell as children.

It’s been 2 weeks since the last update, and I haven’t forgotten about all y’all’s. I’m going off memory about the updates. Here goes-

Christyna has “graduated” from the wound care clinic! The home health care aide was excited and disappointed at the same time. “You have been discharged!” Yup! No more daily/weekly/monthly check ins for any open wounds for Christyna. We are applying goop daily to keep the healing going and the sensitive skin nourished. “What does that mean for this caretaker?” What it means is that I am no longer packing any wounds! It also means I get to touch Christyna’s boobs without being grossed out! I was being playful and flirty the other day, and Christyna exclaimed, “I can feel that!!!” Use your imagination as I was using spousal privilege, if you catch my drift. I secretly cried later that day knowing that nerves and sensation are coming back to the transplanted tissue. It’s not such a secret anymore…

We have an appointment with the reconstruction team for the end of December, but Christyna is going to call tomorrow and get in early. Nothing is wrong, per se. There are some hard places around the surgery area that are causing some discomfort. Christyna likens it to having worn and underwire bra for too long. The most annoying/sensitive place is under her armpit. I rub goop on that area as well. It’s less sexy. It’s more appreciated.

Christyna has started meds to suppress estrogen and progesterone (I think). The likelihood of having breast cancer again goes from a 6% chance to 3% chance with this medication. It’s kicking her into post-menopause, basically. She’ll be on it for 5 years. If you were expecting kids from us, let that go now. You get us acting childishly instead. Ok… I’ll be the childish acting one. Christyna will be the same powerful person you know and expect. Jeez!

Oh yeah… today is Christyna’s birthday! She has completed her 49th trip around the sun and is into her 50th. She’s 49, to take the coding out of it. After our first pass, we say “he/she/they are 1 year old!” We count weeks and months prior to that. Christyna is in her 50th trip around the sun. Deal with it. Send her love! Shower her with wishes! Bask in her cancer free radiance! I am greedy but not stingy. I can share all of it.

We have started daily walks. When we go to the reconstruction team next, we are going to seek a prescription for physical therapy. Healing is far enough along that we are looking for strength and endurance training. Having a structure for accountability is key. Healing has gotten us this far, it’s time for a new set of tears. Just remember that tears are not bad. Tears are a release. If you/one must cry, go ahead and do it. It’s a way to process and healthily deal with the circumstances that are being faced. That is my unsolicited advise. Take it or leave it.

Thank you for being part of this journey. It’s been one heck of a 5 months. I invite you to look at how far you have personally come since July 10th. Me and my arm, and Christyna and her (former) cancer are easy to quantify. In honor of Christyna’s birthday, take personal stock of the ground you have taken. Give that gift away, please! You have been and provided so much to this new, little family. Go spread it around! The world deserves your gifts! Thank you for showering them on us.

Until next time, much love. Enjoy your holidays. 

Ryan (and Christyna)