Seems to be that I'm on the road to recovery. It is getting easier to move around but I still get exhausted doing the smallest tasks. After taking a shower I feel like I've just run a marathon (sad I know)! I spoke with a nurse to see if that was normal. She said to expect one week of recovery for every hour I was under anesthesia. So that would be about four weeks - this is week two - half way there!
My incision sites (x5) are healing nicely, the actual internal surgery site is still very tender. I have to remind myself how many internal stitches I have. It is easy to forget when you can't see them. I so want to pick up Caroline but I can't. Small price to pay I guess for my life and the life our growing Lil Man (yep it's a boy)!
We had another OB appointment today and again were totally blessed with the outcome. These weekly ultrasounds really help put my mind at ease. He looked fabulous. Still no indication that he was affected AT ALL by the surgery or the medications associated with it. My cervix is still closed and looks from the abdominal ultrasound to be the same as a regular pregnancy. Next week, when I have healed a little more, they most likely will do a vaginal ultrasound as well to ensure all the stitches are still intact and get a more accurate measurement of my cervix.
At this point it seems I will be able to carry him full term (well, 36ish weeks at least). Much better than a point a few weeks ago when doctors were saying 28 weeks. I did ask if there was a possibility that I could forgo the C-section and have a vaginal delivery - I think the doctor didn't know how to answer (he probably wanted to say..."are you crazy, woman??") - but did say it was "a potential." That would be awesome, another miracle, since it would give me a chance to meet Lil Man and a chance to nurse him without being under too many medications.
Then I asked if I really NEEDED the hysterectomy since it seems all the cancer was removed with the radical trachelectomy. So reality sets in again. His words exactly, "Megan, you are STILL a cancer patient. You have adenocarcinoma, a very aggressive cancer."
Okay, okay so mom says I keep pushing the envelope...but God can do it. He has already
answered "BIGGER" than I ever asked. He is in control...He can do it! A good friend of Billy's mom just sent me so notecards that she made for me. The scripture she choose to print on them is:
"Your FAITH should not stand in the wisdom of men but in the POWER of God." 1 Corinthians 2:9
I am so grateful for the POWER of my God...He has made it so very obvious to us....
Thursday, February 16, 2012
Thursday, February 2, 2012
Successful Surgery!!!
As Megan and I sit in the hospital room at MD Anderson, she is still a little groggy from all of the medications and anesthesia from yesterday's surgery. Therefore, I get the pleasure of updating her blog with the incredible news of AMAZING GRACE.
The surgery was a complete success. In fact, the results were better than what we could have ever expected. Megan and baby are 100% healthy. Dr. Ramirez told me after the surgery that he was able to remove all of the cancerous cells. He's going to send off some tissue samples and lymph nodes for further evaluation, but if his initial assessment is correct, Megan should now be cancer-free! This means she won't need to go through any radiation or chemo after the baby is born. All she will need to do is have a hysterectomy at the time of the birth. She has truly been touched by the healing hand of God. Jeremiah 32:27 "I am the Lord, the God of all mankind; is there anything too hard for me?"
The type of surgery performed was a trachelectomy. One of the Anesthesiologists last night told me that Dr. Ramirez is one of only a few GYN Oncologists in the world that is willing to perform this surgery on an expecting mother. How amazing is it that the Lord opened this door to us? The resounding recommendation from the doctors in Atlanta was to terminate the pregnancy, and immediately start radiation and chemo. The Atlanta doctors gave Megan anywhere from a 70% to 85% cure rate, depending on who you spoke to. Fast forward to today where Megan seemingly is cancer-free and the baby is healthy as can be at 16.5 weeks. The power of prayer is undeniable. Prayers from family members, friends, churches, Bible studies, colleagues at work, teachers, students, and friends from all of the above have played a significant role in allowing us to be treated at MD Anderson and leading us to Dr. Ramirez.
During the visit today from Dr. Ramirez, he admitted that the results from this surgery exceeded his expectations. This is only the 6th time he has performed this surgery, so our hope is that we are paving the way for more expecting mothers to evaluate all options before making a final decision. Next steps: Megan will be discharged from the hospital tomorrow afternoon (Friday). Our flight home is scheduled for Saturday evening. Megan will now be working closely with her OB and Maternal Fetal Specialist in Atlanta. Since part of her cervix had to be removed during the surgery, our concern now turns to making sure our baby makes it to term. A pre-term birth could potentially have serious complications for the health of the baby. Our goal is to get to at least 32 weeks, which means we passed the halfway point earlier this week.
Please continue to pray for Lil' Bit as he/she continues to develop and grow. It's been a wonderful and fulfilling two days. Megan and I give all the glory to Him. Thank you for everyone's prayers and support. I know it has made a difference. God Bless, Bill
The surgery was a complete success. In fact, the results were better than what we could have ever expected. Megan and baby are 100% healthy. Dr. Ramirez told me after the surgery that he was able to remove all of the cancerous cells. He's going to send off some tissue samples and lymph nodes for further evaluation, but if his initial assessment is correct, Megan should now be cancer-free! This means she won't need to go through any radiation or chemo after the baby is born. All she will need to do is have a hysterectomy at the time of the birth. She has truly been touched by the healing hand of God. Jeremiah 32:27 "I am the Lord, the God of all mankind; is there anything too hard for me?"
The type of surgery performed was a trachelectomy. One of the Anesthesiologists last night told me that Dr. Ramirez is one of only a few GYN Oncologists in the world that is willing to perform this surgery on an expecting mother. How amazing is it that the Lord opened this door to us? The resounding recommendation from the doctors in Atlanta was to terminate the pregnancy, and immediately start radiation and chemo. The Atlanta doctors gave Megan anywhere from a 70% to 85% cure rate, depending on who you spoke to. Fast forward to today where Megan seemingly is cancer-free and the baby is healthy as can be at 16.5 weeks. The power of prayer is undeniable. Prayers from family members, friends, churches, Bible studies, colleagues at work, teachers, students, and friends from all of the above have played a significant role in allowing us to be treated at MD Anderson and leading us to Dr. Ramirez.
During the visit today from Dr. Ramirez, he admitted that the results from this surgery exceeded his expectations. This is only the 6th time he has performed this surgery, so our hope is that we are paving the way for more expecting mothers to evaluate all options before making a final decision. Next steps: Megan will be discharged from the hospital tomorrow afternoon (Friday). Our flight home is scheduled for Saturday evening. Megan will now be working closely with her OB and Maternal Fetal Specialist in Atlanta. Since part of her cervix had to be removed during the surgery, our concern now turns to making sure our baby makes it to term. A pre-term birth could potentially have serious complications for the health of the baby. Our goal is to get to at least 32 weeks, which means we passed the halfway point earlier this week.
Please continue to pray for Lil' Bit as he/she continues to develop and grow. It's been a wonderful and fulfilling two days. Megan and I give all the glory to Him. Thank you for everyone's prayers and support. I know it has made a difference. God Bless, Bill
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