Cinda's Updates

Tomorrow

Sun, 18 Nov 2007 19:44:18 GMT

Tomorrow morning we leave South Bend at 6:39 a.m. to return to New Orleans, where I will be undergoing surgery on Tuesday to correct a bleeding problem. Thank you for your continued prayers!

Tomorrow

Sun, 18 Nov 2007 19:42:44 GMT

Tomorrow morning we leave South Bend at 6:30 a.m. for our flight back to New Orleans. I am really relieved to be going back so they can fix what has gone wrong. I just am really ready to be able to be back to normal. Thank you once again for you continued prayers!

Step back

Thu, 15 Nov 2007 12:52:20 GMT

After the doctors reviewed pictures emailed and symptoms, they have requested that I fly back to New Orleans this weekend. They will open the mastecomy side on Monday and clean out the old blood that I've been having trouble with and check any other complications. I am relieved to be going back where they can monitor me a little closer. They will be handling all the flights and hotel reservations for me. Thank you once again for all you prayers, please continue to keep me in your prayers and I undergo surgery once again on Monday!

Love, Cinda

It's been a while!

Tue, 13 Nov 2007 13:31:17 GMT

Sorry for not updating for a while. I had a really bad weekend! Had some kind of stomach flu. I'm also bleeding quite badly. I having to wrap towels around my body to keep the blood contained. I have been talking to New Orleans often. It's hard being so far away from the doctor. I am one of the small percentage that has problems with the skin healing. They assured me that it would soon! I am discouraged, but keep my hopes up that things will eventually get much better. I'm trying to do some work for the church when I feel up to it. I am so tired most of the time. The meals are coming regularly and they have all been very good. Special thanks to Carol Steede, Celia Weiss, Susan Freeman, Pam Duncan, and Carol Miller for recent meals.

Coming along!

Wed, 07 Nov 2007 20:54:04 GMT

This isn't fun! I'm not used to not being able to get going, and going, and going! I'm exhausted just doing baby steps! I'll be glad to get back to my normal! Last night as I was getting ready to go to Jaela's fall band concert at the school, one of my drain sights decided to start gushing blood. It was pretty scary. We called the hospital right away. It didn't stop, so I was unable to go to the conert, I was very disappointed! Because of the color of the blood it was just old blood from the surgery and I guess it was best for it to drain. I was still draining some this morning, but finally it did stop. Needless to say, I have a headache and backache today and haven't done much, but lie around. Carol Steede dropped off our supper for this evening. What a blessing to have the meals! I really appreciate all your prayers, cards, calls, and concerns. They have helped so much! I will be very happy to be back with you soon!

Two Weeks and counting

Tue, 06 Nov 2007 06:49:36 GMT

I've been up working on the finalization of the Foundation Statement for Monday's meeting. Getting ready to head to the recliner to try to sleep a couple hours. I will really be glad to be able to lie in bed again! Today it has been two weeks since surgery. In some ways it doesn't seem that long and others it seems longer. I think of all of you alot. I sure would much rather be there at work than where I'm at. Surgery sights are improving. Last night my sister in law, who is a nurse, removed my last drain. That was a relief, but now I have to wear an abdominal girdle for a week. It is as uncomfortable as the drain was. (ugh!) Diane Evans brought a nice meal Friday night, it was delicious! It is so sweet of you all for all the help, also the beautiful flowers from Susie & Dave Lehman. Thanks for the love & care. Hope to see you all soon!

One week+3 days

Fri, 02 Nov 2007 19:11:30 GMT

Some days I feel like I 'm not going forward, but I know somewhere I am. The biggest problem I've having right now is the pain I'm experiencing in my lower back after the surgery. The three surgery sights are healing well. My biggest challenge is being up to take a shower and get all the dressings on daily before I faint. It is a very trying hour and a half. I have been home alone the past two days which yesterday decided it wasn't too smart to be trying to shower when I'm alone. Until I'm stronger will be doing that in the evening. I really didn't think it would be so hard!

Thanks to all for the warmest and loving cards, well wishes, and prayers! Thanks to Jennifer Pitcher for the delicious meal on Monday night. I ventured out a little last night.

We came to the church for the weekly bills and receipts, went to the grocery store, and then stopped to see my girlfriend, Lois who is battling cancer. She is such the light in my life. She has been sick so long and only ever thinks about the other person. I will miss you so much, darling friend. I love you!

Once again, thanks for all your love!

Cinda

Day before we come home

Mon, 29 Oct 2007 20:16:20 GMT

Yesterday was a really bad day for me. I had a fever and the chills during the night. The mastectomy side was so hardened and sore. I was so glad my doctor appt. was this morning. I was getting very worried! He gave me a stronger antibotic, but thought I was doing ok. That was a relief! Now I know why it takes 4-6 weeks to recup. Ups and downs every day. Hope everyone is doing okay with out me there. We leave in the morning the for airport at 9:45 a.m. - 10:45 our time. We get to Indy about 5:30 and then the hard drive home. Just the 20 minutes drives to the doctor's office was very tiring. Every little bump feels like a canyon. I'll be so glad to be home, but pretty scared to be away from the wonderful staff at the Center. Keep my in your prayers tomorrow, it will be a trying day!

another day

Thu, 25 Oct 2007 23:31:32 GMT

I'm really not in too much pain considering. Tomorrow we get released to Hope Lodge the last 3 days.

We have the post-op appt. Monday afternoon. We'll be coming back to Elkhart late Tuesday. We are very pleased with my progress. Thanks for all your prayers!

Wednesday update from Cinda

Wed, 24 Oct 2007 22:10:47 GMT

Cinda just called at 6:00 pm Elkhart time, so I'll relay her message to family and friends:

Unfortunately, they don't have wireless access, but I will pass along her message to you.

She says she is doing real well and other than feeling like a mack truck rode over her, she's pretty amazed by how well she feels.

She's gotten up once already and will get up again tonight to walk around.

She's been very impressed with the doctors, the surgery and everything so far.

She's "just" on percocet and not feeling too much pain but sounded just as perky as Cinda!

More later with her next call!

Pre-Op Day

Tue, 23 Oct 2007 02:42:14 GMT

What a great experience at Omega Center and the Dr.'s offices. We have a limo that drives us back and forth to all our appointments. They treat me like I'm a princess! I am very confident in the doctors here. We spent most of the afternoon and early evening preparing. We went in to New Orleans for supper. We leave the Hope Lodge at 4:30 in the morning, surgery is 7:00 a.m. Thanks for all your prayers!

Love ya all! See you soon!

Cinda

We're here!

Sun, 21 Oct 2007 23:38:01 GMT

We made it safely here. There is a little rain and we are settling in to the Hope Lodge. My pre-op is tomorrow, then we will do some sight-seeing, which will probably be my only chance to see New Orleans! Thank you everyone for all your love and support! We will do our best to keep you all posted!

Love ya,

Cinda

Jennifer P., facilitator for Cinda's blog!

Thu, 18 Oct 2007 01:47:04 GMT

Cinda's flying to New Orleans on Sunday (with Dan) and we all wish her safe travels, excellent medical team to care for her, and quick/safe return to us!

We are glad she is "only" facing Breast Cancer since the lung scare of earlier this week.We know that through this blog, we'll be able to keep up-to-date on her surgery, recovery and return!