You can tell how recovery is going from the level of humor in our house. Currently, Dan has taken to singing "I'm Not Throwing Away My Shot" from Hamilton when I head upstairs to give myself a daily injection of heparin. Enough said, right? It's a good thing I only have 7 days of the injections to ensure I don't develop a blood clot from the surgery.  If I had many more, my favorite nurse might have enough time to write his own musical.

Recovery is actually going so well it's hard to believe it's only been three days since surgery. The nerve blocker was great the first 24 hours, and I took Tylenol a few times after that. As of now, I'm only taking the usual medications I take, plus an antibiotic. I don't feel much besides the 4 incisions, so I'm doing pretty well getting around on my own. One weird side effect from surgery was feeling pain in my legs like I'd run a marathon with no training. That lasted a couple of days, just like it normally would after a very hard workout, Now that it's gone, I feel great.

I'll go back to see Dr. Harper next week on 12/23, and I'll see when I can start walking and then working out again as well as resuming PT. I've had some shoulder impingement in my right shoulder from the first surgery, and I'm hoping that can eventually get worked out. If it does, the only part of this cancer journey that will remain is taking the aromatase inhibitor for 5 years to reduce the risk of a recurrence somewhere else in my body. Woot!

I wasn't sure what it was going to be like to have surgery right before Christmas, especially during this crazy year. I thought I might be really bummed about having to lay low, and I felt bad that it meant our family wouldn't be able to travel over the holidays. After so many unexpected things happening in 2020, I really just wanted a normal Christmas. Can anyone else relate?

But earlier this month I got to thinking about the first Christmas and how unexpected the circumstances were for Mary and Joseph. An unplanned pregnancy. A detour in wedding planning. A long ride on a donkey. Far away from mothers and midwives. A baby's surprise entry into the world. And yet, it turned out to be perfect. He turned out to be perfect. Emmanuel, God with us. 

It was a good reminder for me to rest in the unexpected. It's not something I'm inherently good at. But I have to say, it's been really nice to sit still by the Christmas tree and read a book, or talk with my family or watch a Christmas movie and not feel like I'm behind on Christmas preparation. I'll look forward to traveling and Christmas parties and more activities next year, but I don't mind the extra time to "remember the reason for the season" this year.

Thanks for reading these updates the past several months and praying with us for healing. I'm thankful for the way God chose to answer your prayers. Here's to embracing the unexpectedness of 2020 with you all and waiting for God to redeem it!

As we decorate our tree, and as we feast and laugh and sing together, we are rehearsing our coming joy! We are making ready to receive the one who has already, with open arms, received us! We would prepare you room here in our hearts and here in our home, Lord Christ. Now we celebrate your first coming, Immanuel, even as we long for your return. O Prince of Peace, our elder brother, return soon. We miss you so! -Every Moment Holy, Vol I