The Squatters Have Been EVICTED!!!

Two Days After Surgery Update

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Well, I am not going to lie... Yesterday was not easy emotionally or mentally.  After a day of being in the hospital surgery waiting room from 7:45 am to 6:30 pm, I headed to the car, got in and did a huge sign of relief.  Emotions and fatigue flooded my whole being, not from sadness, but from joy.  I was just happy that the aliens were removed successfully.  I am a person that handles stress pretty well, as long as I can control the situation.  But, this control freak could not control this life event.  

Thank you to our surprise visitors throughout the day.  Scott and I really appreciated the wonderful distraction with conversation and laughter.  We have the BEST Dazzle. 

We all had our own thoughts and fears leading up to surgery and I knew my sister was going to do great, so I was good with that part.  My biggest fear was that Debi's tumor did not want to detach from her vital organs and the surgeons would have had to leave them in her body putting pressure on her heart and major organs, leaving her to live with Frankie and the kids forever.

The Surgeon had to remove a small part of the pulmonary artery as a piece of tumor was attached to it and then it had to be repaired.  To repair it, the surgeon used a part of the pericardium (sac around the heart) and sealed it up with tissue from that.  Modern medicine is so amazing.  The grape sized tumor attached to the phrenic nerve was a bit difficult to remove, but only a tiny part remains (0.1% of the tumor).  At least the nerve is still intact, even though the little squatter refused to leave.  I'd still hang on to her too, she's pretty awesome to be around.  Haha.  In the end thankfully, the team was able to remove 99.9% of the tumor, what a success!

What did the tumors look like? 

Imagine the alien from Aliens, but only the head and arms... the three tumors formed the head and it had three tentacles. 

In no way is this ride over, as she will have this cancer for the rest of her life, but, for now, she has jumped one challenging hurdle.  She is working hard to get out of the hospital sooner than the expected date. 

The Lavender Zebra is doing so great and is in good spirits.  Debi sends all her love and appreciation to her entire dazzle.  We have the BEST Dazzle.

With Love, 

Donna

Some fun pictures from the last couple of days: 

April 15