On to the next steps...

It's been a week of some recovery pain, some of the 'cancer pain' presenting again and lots of rest for mom.

She's hanging in there and is recovering from the surgery relatively well. She did have a bit of a hematoma (bruise) inside at the bottom end of the incision that caused some bleeding. It was a little disconcerting at first, but doc said no problem, it's common.  What's not common, however, is me learning to "pack a wound"!

When we headed to the doc's on Wednesday together her staples removed, he confirmed the hematoma. The treatment was leaving the wound open while it heals from the inside out. But for a couple of weeks, this 2" hole has to be repacked twice a day with a couple of moist gauze and the covered with a surgical pad. Now, I'm not really that squeamish, but yuck...kind of gross! I get to do it now, but then mom will be able to do it herself. Fun! :)  That was the last time mom will see Dr. deVera for a month.

After the doctor, we went to Shiela McKee's house to pick up my sister's dogs since she was just getting home from Hawaii, we were nearby and heading to Margaret's for lunch and a welcome home hello!  The dogs had not been in the back of my truck before and weren't quite sure what to do with all that room and no crates! Of course, they checked out all possibilities and kept us company. ;)

Veya would have much rather been with us up front.

The rest of the incision is healing nicely and she said it felt better when the staples were removed. She's moving around pretty well and she's getting the walking in when she's up to it. Last night, we walked around the Hemet mall for a different view. ;)

Now, the first steps in the next chapter...first thing tomorrow morning (Friday) we go to the oncologist for her first appointment. She'll have some info to get, some questions asked, and I'm sure other discussions. Since Margaret has returned from Hawaii, she'll be joining us at the appointment - something she's been doing a yeoman's job of helping walk mom through the info and options presented. We don't know that we'll have any definitive answers on exactly what will be next, but I'm sure there will be plenty of food for thought for mom to consider.

We'll let you know more when we know more...as always keeping it positive.
Happy weekend!