SuggsHouse_2011

  Warning: Graphic medical photos at the end.   Hey everyone! Sorry I haven’t updated in a while, but there really has been no changes for the last 2 weeks, but get ready because this is a long one!  Today, October 29th, I had my post-op visit with the main surgeon. The pathology report showed clear margins on ALL sides and there was also no indication of any cancer in the lymph nodes this time.  I CAN ONLY THANK GOD FOR HIS BLESSINGS and for guiding the hands of the surgeons, nurses, and entire team through this whole process.   As far as continued treatment goes: Since I have already had chemo and radiation before, if I were to have radiation again, there are many harmful side effects that my body would be exposed to yet again and it would also be the last time I could have radiation as a treatment. The doctors took this into consideration and weighed the pros and cons of me having more treatment, and since there was no indication of any cancer left, they...

It’s been a week full of ups and downs since being discharged from the hospital. The most difficult thing that I’ve had to try and get used to is daily life with this trach. Sleeping has not been comfortable by any means. Up until a few days ago! the staples in my back hadn’t been bothering me any more than usual but over the past few days they became inflamed and were extremely irritated. I was pretty bummed out at my follow-up appointment earlier today (well, I guess at this time it would now be considered yesterday). I was really hoping to get my trach removed. She said that everything looks great and things are healing nicely. I also had a swallow test done and have been cleared to try and drink liquids only. The doctor was also able to remove the last drain in my back, stitches in my neck, and the staples in my back. However, the trach will have to stay in for at least 2 more weeks. This will hopefully allow additional swelling to go down and give me time to practice talking with ...

Well 7WEST… other than the whole surgery, recovery, and not being able to shower for 2 weeks thing, it’s been a pleasure. A big thank you to all the sweet and wonderful nurses who have taken such good care of me. I couldn’t have asked for better care from the nurses or doctors and residents. I come home sadly with the trach (hopefully only for a week), a drain still in my back, 32 staples in my back, and my PEG tube in my stomach. My neck seems to be glued shut. While some have expressed interest in visiting, I ask that you please at least wait until after I get this trach removed. That way i’m limiting bacteria around me and also I’m sure you don’t wanna have a one-sided conversation while I try to write responded on a white-board. I’d much rather be able to talk back to you. 😊 Thanking the Lord for bringing me this far & thank you all for praying for me. 💕💕

This will be a short and sweet one because I keep nodding in and out of it. I’m still at MUSC. There were talks of me maybe going home the end of last week but then I had multiple fevers that they couldn’t explain. So i’m on some antibiotics just to make sure. Every test/scan that could have been given I feel like was given lol & has been checked and turned out good. There was a detection of some type of bacteria in my sputum collection which is to be expected because of where it is. I have the absolute best family ever who have been by my side switching out. Also, I know I said it before but the nurses here on 7 West are just wonderful. They have truly been a blessing. We’re hoping mayyyyyyyyybe out sometime this week but if so it will be with the feeding tube (which I suspected) and the trach (which I had hoped to have removed by now). Thank you all for your continued thoughts and prayers. 💗Amy

It’s been a minute. Sorry I haven’t really posted much… i’m so tired. i’ve had a lot of up and down nights so far.overall the doctors are liking what they’re seeing. Today they pulled one of the drains out of my back. That leaves one more left in my back and the doppler that’s in my neck. They also decided that they were going to switch out my trach for a smaller one… ohhhh man that one hurt, not gonna lie. Stitches out… trach out.. new trach in… 4 new stitches in my throat. They mentioned that they will have a different cannula to put in it tomorrow so that hopefully i’m able to talk some. If i cover it up and try to talk now you can faintly hear me. The swelling on my flap (the muscle implant) is finally going down a bit but the lymphedema on the right side of my jaw and neck is so swollen it’s almost like a rock and that definitely hurts. My absolute favorite thing here (besides all the super nice nurses and drs) is that they have a Pet Therapy program. So today I got to pet Delilah...