Thanks for all the Fishes!*
In support of
Christyna L
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Christyna L
* A Douglas Adams reference.
How in the world has 6 months gone by since my surgery?!?
It boggles the mind.
I tried to count- the number of bouquets, of meals prepared, of dollars shared, of errands run.
It’s just this side of impossible.
I heard from so many people! From a 3rd cousin in California, to someone I lobbied with in Austin 18 years ago, to folks I just met in choir last year.
Y’all are amazing.
A bit of a timeline:
I had Old Fashioneds with the guys on Monday before the surgery. On Tuesday I had a Bye Bye Boobies gathering with two dozen women- we talked and laughed and blew bubbles.
The night just before Ryan and I stayed at the home of the uncle of a dear friend from college, since check in was 6am…
I went into surgery so buoyed up by all the community and all the love! It went really well on July 10th- 9.5 hours under anesthesia and all my breast tissue removed and parts of my belly sewn in to approximate boobs (Will make clothes shopping much easier than the alternative, which I nearly chose).
I came out of surgery, and after one surreal night in ICU with amazing nurses, I recovered with wonderful and surprising visitors for 3-4 days.
The visitors continued at home. I slept in a donated recliner for weeks. Friends ran errands. My favorite Russian immigrant shared borst and tart cherries.
After about three weeks, I started taking small trips out, the Menil first of course. Abbie was so patient with me.
I started working again about the same time. Just a client a day, for some time. Slowly, so slowly building back.
Ryan dressing my wounds. Me, just trying not to make them worse.
My wounds didn’t heal quickly. I got assigned to Houston Methodist’s Wound Care Clinic. It took a few weeks for insurance to align, but eventually I got to take Hyperbaric Chamber Treatments. 29 of them over another 7 weeks. 2 hours of stillness every morning.
Y’all were with me through all of it.
At this point I am just recovering from my recovery. My body is still inflamed. I’m retaining water. My core muscles are not strong. It hurts.
I know I will get through it. The last six months and all of you have taught me that much. I thank you.
As I wrote yesterday commemorating my six monthiversary, “Thank you for holding my heart and for seeing me through”
We’re closing down this Support Now page, but we’re continuing to write and to share our lives with you over on SubStack. Follow along if you would like.
I love you. It is my unique pleasure to be loved by you. Thank you.
Here’s Ryan’s SubStack https://substack.com/@bundustu
Here’s Christyna’s SubStack
https://substack.com/@econgrrl
How in the world has 6 months gone by since my surgery?!?
It boggles the mind.
I tried to count- the number of bouquets, of meals prepared, of dollars shared, of errands run.
It’s just this side of impossible.
I heard from so many people! From a 3rd cousin in California, to someone I lobbied with in Austin 18 years ago, to folks I just met in choir last year.
Y’all are amazing.
A bit of a timeline:
I had Old Fashioneds with the guys on Monday before the surgery. On Tuesday I had a Bye Bye Boobies gathering with two dozen women- we talked and laughed and blew bubbles.
The night just before Ryan and I stayed at the home of the uncle of a dear friend from college, since check in was 6am…
I went into surgery so buoyed up by all the community and all the love! It went really well on July 10th- 9.5 hours under anesthesia and all my breast tissue removed and parts of my belly sewn in to approximate boobs (Will make clothes shopping much easier than the alternative, which I nearly chose).
I came out of surgery, and after one surreal night in ICU with amazing nurses, I recovered with wonderful and surprising visitors for 3-4 days.
The visitors continued at home. I slept in a donated recliner for weeks. Friends ran errands. My favorite Russian immigrant shared borst and tart cherries.
After about three weeks, I started taking small trips out, the Menil first of course. Abbie was so patient with me.
I started working again about the same time. Just a client a day, for some time. Slowly, so slowly building back.
Ryan dressing my wounds. Me, just trying not to make them worse.
My wounds didn’t heal quickly. I got assigned to Houston Methodist’s Wound Care Clinic. It took a few weeks for insurance to align, but eventually I got to take Hyperbaric Chamber Treatments. 29 of them over another 7 weeks. 2 hours of stillness every morning.
Y’all were with me through all of it.
At this point I am just recovering from my recovery. My body is still inflamed. I’m retaining water. My core muscles are not strong. It hurts.
I know I will get through it. The last six months and all of you have taught me that much. I thank you.
As I wrote yesterday commemorating my six monthiversary, “Thank you for holding my heart and for seeing me through”
We’re closing down this Support Now page, but we’re continuing to write and to share our lives with you over on SubStack. Follow along if you would like.
I love you. It is my unique pleasure to be loved by you. Thank you.
Here’s Ryan’s SubStack https://substack.com/@bundustu
Here’s Christyna’s SubStack
https://substack.com/@econgrrl
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Ryan Herbst
Ryan Herbst