April, 15th - 2008

Update on Inger's surgery

First, thank you to everyone for your prayers.  Though the day has been long, the Lord has been with us from the onset.  I didn't know it was possible to be this tired and still be upright!

Wilma and Zach brought Mom in this morning and stayed with her until late this afternoon.  What a gift from God to have them and others who are so willing to come and take care of her.  And take care of me too!  I am sure many of you will remember Pat and Molly Spicer?  Molly was Mom's nurse this morning!

To say that it all went smoothly would be a stretch, but it went well.  Mom was very anxious and nervous, but she is a fighter and as tough as nails.  Such a comedian too!  She was quite funny at times...Ariel even commented on what a stitch she was to talk with.

The procedure was about four hours long with an hour of recovery time. 

Dr. Schoeppel had hinted at doing the right side today and the left side in three to six months.  Mom's eyes got as big as saucers and I could really sense the fear in her at the thought of doing this all over again.  It may have been the look I gave him at even suggesting that, or God smacking him over the head, but he quickly retracted that idea and stated very calmly and gently, that we should go ahead and proceed as planned.  Mom and I both breathed a huge sigh of relief.  I couldn't imagine having Mom face this again.

Dr. Schoeppel had stated there was more lymph involvement on the right breast but the left side looked OK.  They removed all the breast tissue and the remaining lymph nodes on the right.

She was doing OK pain wise until this evening when all the medication given during anesthesia wore off.  Right now she is on a pain medication pump.  The other issue was nausea, and that was also managed with medication. Even though she was nauseated, she was still hungry until they brought her a clear liquid supper tray, then her nausea got the best of her and she decided to wait.  I took the afternoon off from work and we both cat napped for a short while!  I am so thankful that we are here and we can be with her.  God is good.

She will be in the hospital for another day or two, at least.  I found out today from one of the volunteers that you can actually send an email to the hospital, the Volunteer's Office will print it and deliver it to her.  She got one today from and it really made her day!  Type in www.nchs.com .  There is a link on the bottom of the left hand column for " e greetings" .  Click  on that link and then the link for North Country Regional Hospital. She is in room # 332.  You need to use her given name,  Inger Katz, not Hava.    She will be so blessed to hear from any of you.  I have the e mails that some of you sent today and will be sure she gets those as well.

So, this first day is over.  We are all very grateful for His presence and grace that saw each of through the day.  We have much to be thankful for and to Him be the glory.

Blessings!

Sissie (Christina)