First, can you guess who is who? Christyna dressed as a cancer butt-kicker (complete with knuckles tattoos that said “LIVE” and “SOFT”). I dressed as Christyna. I’ll give you a hint, my boobs were bigger since I haven’t had a double mastectomy. I’ll reveal who is who at the end of this post!

It’s been a week and a half since the last update. No news is good news. Don’t forget about us, though! Christyna’s belly wound is completely closed. One night I went to pack it. I pulled out the old packing and prepared the new. I had to keep cutting its diameter smaller and smaller. It got so thin that I couldn’t feed it through the opening! I covered it up and we went to bed. In the morning, the hole had closed completely and Christyna called her wound care team. They knew it was coming but don’t inform us. We did what was right. I got an ego boost in trusting myself. Christyna gets less tape residue. It’s a win-win!

Then the open breast wound is now tiny. Lots smaller than the area of a dime. It started the area of an olde tyme silver dollar. A real silver dollar like the one I carry in honor of my father- an 1898 Morgan silver dollar- and it was deep, like 3/4 of an inch deep. It’s about 3 millimeters deep now. I’m using the metric system for our international audience. For you Americans, it’s about 1/500th of a banana deep. I have to cut gauze really small to be able to pack it now. I use the reverse side of a cotton tipped swab to pack it. It’s the only instrument I have that gives me access to the fine detail needed to get it in the wound! When I started, I was using my fingers, which are like little sausages, but not nearly as tasty. Lots of progress!

We went to a Halloween party last night. It was fun not having to worry about Christyna. I didn’t have to guard or protect her at all. I had peace of mind that no matter what, she was safe and not exposed to anything that would prolong her healing. We are in that phase. She gets to be cautious instead of having to be cautious. It’s prudent. I got to talk with people I just met and Christyna got to be with old friends. I also ate 6 homemade chocolate chip cookies. Christyna only witnessed the consumption of two of them. She ate things that she shouldn’t have. I was supposed to eat at least six homemade chocolate chip cookies. I’m not allergic to anything in them, unlike Christyna and her diet. 

Yesterday day we went to a friend’s house and made stuffed squash. She had just had a minor medical procedure. Christyna and I got to nourish her physically, emotionally, and ecumenically. I’m not clear about what “ecumenically” means. I like the sound of it. I’m pretty sure it’s accurate. We left the fridge stocked with easy to reheat meals. That was my good turn. I still try to “do a good turn daily.” It’s a solid practice. I invite you to take it on. 

I went on my first bike ride in years today! A couple weeks ago, I unpacked my Jersey pod and got my bicycle out of it. I found my cycling shoes and bike lights. Monday I got Trekkie assembled from the bike shop. I’m only a little saddle sore. We’re going to get Christyna’s bike tuned up. She’s almost at the point she can ride. It will be good for both of us. My arm/elbow hurt a little from the ride. Riding with Christyna will keep me sane and safe. I’m doing it while the weather works for it. 

That’s enough rambling. Thank you all for keeping us in mind and sending the positivity. It takes the entire community to come back powerfully after a major surgery. Thank you for the nourishment and love that you send. Nourishment is more than food. You all contribute to the nourishment of our souls! Do something that will nourish you- a bike ride, a good turn daily, a good meal with friends, etc. We need you healthy alongside us.

Ryan is on the left. 

With love,

Ryan