Dear family and friends,

Thanks for all your incredible  support—the cards, flowers, delicious meals, and well wishes have been wonderful and so appreciated.  My healing from the surgery has gone so much better than expected.  I have had no real pain, just mild discomfort, and some random, transient nerve pain. I walked 2.5 miles yesterday, and today I feel that my normal energy is back. Of course, I continue to rest to ensure I recover fully.  Emotionally, I am doing well and am confident I am on a great healing journey.

And having my twin sister, Jean, here to love and support me, is so key to my being able to rest.  Also, Cameron has been here every day- even after she went back to work, to support and love me and cook wonderful food, along with all the delicious meals provided by neighbors and friends.  And of course, Sam has been with me every step of the way, supporting me and cheering me on.  Cam and Jean watch me like hawks to help ensure I don’t do anything that could strain the stitches or impede my recovery.  And Drew is coming in town Thursday evening to spend a long weekend with us.

Many times, in preparing for this surgery and in the pre-op room before anesthesia, I visualized all of you and my departed family in a circle surrounding me with love and protection during the surgery.  For the Harry Potter fans, it was like the spirits surrounding Harry as he fought Voldemort.  I tear up every time I visualize this circle of love from all of you.  And it is that love and support that has enabled me to heal so well and so quickly. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

My new sporty body (Sam’s kind description) looks like a 10-year boy without nipples and with a few extra lumps.  Not sure yet if I will have reconstruction.  If I do, that will be at least 6 months from now, so I have plenty of time to decide.

So, what’s next?  After 6-8 weeks of recovery from surgery, I will have 4-6 weeks of radiation and will continue taking medicine to help reduce the chance of metastasis and address any possible existing metastasis.

I can’t thank you enough for your incredible support on my healing journey. This will likely be the last post on this site since nothing dramatic is expected to happen.

With great love and appreciation,
Jane