Robin Update: Healing Well --- 12/14/09

Robin's Surgery was on September 29th, and since then, she has been slowly recovering, and life has been returning to something more "normal." The wound started as a hole about the size of a soup can, and about 3/8 to half inch deep. I have watched as the wound has slowly filled in until now, when it is only a slight depression of scar tissue with only a small quarter-size open part. We hope it will be closed up by January 1st.

Robin has been feeling pretty well, overall. Mostly, that's because she has not had any chemo treatments. Since the chemo slows or kills fast-growing cells, chemo would not permit her wound to heal. So she has had a little holiday from those treatments. Between this surgery and her previous surgery, she has had only two chemo treatments in the last six months. The good news is that Robin feels good; but the bad news is that we are not fighting cancer when she is not on chemo. Robin's oncologist has been seeing Robin regularly, and she's been monitoring the wound progress. At Robin's last visit, the good doctor said that Robin could start chemo in January. In a strange way, Robin is looking forward to it - you know - getting back into the fight. I believe she should be getting scans done pretty soon too. I'll post something when we get those results.

In late October, Robin went to a birthday party, and apparently contracted some kind of "bug" that made her sick for a solid week. Unfortunately, because she was sick, she couldn't get her flu shot. Two weeks ago, she got both the seasonal flu shot and the H1N1 (or "pig flu," as she likes to call it) shot. However, since her illness in October, she has been afraid to go places where there are crowds. She is especially worried when there are folks she knows because many want to hug her or give her a kiss, or just touch her. As much as she likes and appreciates these signs of love, each is an opportunity for infection with her weakened immune system. So if you haven't seen her in a while, that's the reason. I am hoping that, having taken the flu shots, Robin will feel a little braver in the next few weeks. I might need to find surgucal masks that go with her Christmas outfit! 8~)

We have not seen much of John this fall. He took a job with Sears selling auto parts, hoping to make big bucks on commission. He came home on Wednesday before Thanksgiving, and left to go back after dinner Thanksgiving afternoon. Way too short a visit! Of course, Sears needs him to work on weekends, so I'm guessing he will be here for only a short visit for Christmas.

Our Christmas plans are simple. We expect to be staying in town during Christmas week. Robin is hoping to go to Midnight Mass, a long-time tradition for our family. Another tradition is celebrating Christmas dinner with John and the Couvillions.

Thanksgiving reminded us of how many things for which we are thankful, not the least of which are the many people who have provided us with prayers, love, and support. Robin is surrounded by Angels who bring us the Grace to continue. There are angels who deliver meals, angels who stay and read to Robin when I am away, and angels who send cards in the mail every now and then. Then there is Terry, who sent Robin a cartoon DVD called "Steamboy." We were a little scared to watch it, so we were hoping Terry would be able come to watch it with us someday. We really do feel truly blessed to have all of you standing with us through this battle. Thanksgiving marked Robin's fifth year since diagnosis of cancer (actually, two different kinds of breast cancer). That alone is a bit of a miracle because of the low survival rate from just the inflamitory breast cancer. Your prayers and thoughts are really helping.

Please don’t quit now. Keep up the good work!!!

Our love to all, wishing you a Merry and HOLY Christmas,

                  --- Larry, Robin, & John