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I'm back home as of yesterday evening.

Things went well at the hospital; no complications or Nurse Ratchett types. The staff was very kind and helpful.

I spent most of Monday in an anaesthetic fog, coming in and out of things for several hours. I didn't really become alert until evening. DH was there with me all day, making sure I was taken care of. I knew I married that guy for some reason.

I feel pretty good considering everything. I'm a little tired and my arm is simultaneously numb and sore from the node dissection, but overall I'm not feeling too terrible.

The kids were happy to see me and had lots of questions for me. I think I spent 30 minutes explaining the scientific details of the drains that are in my arm. There are several feet of plastic tubing, clipped to my clothing, that drain fluid away from the incisions. It's not very pretty to look at, but is very fascinating for the boys.

"So..that's your blood?"

"Why is it sometimes clear?"

"Does it hurt?"

"I learned that blood isn't really red, it's just the red blood cells that make it look that way."

I felt like a science experiment, or one of those plastinated bodies that are always being carted around to museum exhibitions. All in all, I am happy to let them be fascinated instead of fearful.

Right now, I am just glad to have everything done. Worrying about events is almost always more troubling than going through them.

My percocet is kicking in. Time for a nap.

Tomorrow

Tomorrow, DH and I head to the hospital at around 8:30 am. My surgery is scheduled for 10:30. I will be staying overnight and then be sent home the next day, provided there are no complications. I am a little nervous, but not excessively so. I have had a lot of time to mentally prepare for this, even if it's something I don't want to have happen.

My brother called; my dad called; my aunt-in-law(?) called. Everyone was very kind with their thoughtful sentiments and expressions of good will. I appreciate them all.

My mother-in-law arrived with an enormous basket of goodies to keep me amused as I recuperate; snacks, magazines, books, lotions to wear, pajamas to laze in, slippers to keep my feet warm, etc. My in-laws are incredible people. I always tell DH that I got the better deal in our marriage.

To those of you who have prayed for, and are praying for me...Thank You. Normally I don't think too much about my blogging audience in terms of actual people, who are actually thinking of me in real life. It's easy to forget about the individual people behind the user names I encounter here, or elsewhere.

Thank you for your thoughtfulness and the time you have taken to pray for some strange woman on the other end of a computer screen. It means a lot to me.