2nd Surgery Scheduled

After meeting with the gynecologist and coordinating with my plastic surgeon, my second surgery is scheduled for Tuesday, October 18, at 12:30 pm.  I will be at Memorial Hermann Memorial City again for the surgery and will have an overnight stay (hopefully just one).  My plastic surgeon will perform his part of the surgery first (approximately 2 hours) and then the gynecologist will perform the hysterectomy (approximately 1 hour).  The gynecologist told me last week that I was no longer a candidate for laproscopy.  He told me that since I had the abdominal surgery, he didn't feel like it would be best to do the hysterectomy laproscopically.  At first, I was disappointed, but he quickly told me that he would only have to make a 1-2 inch incision and that all of his work could be done through that incision.  He also told me that my recovery time would be much the same as if it had been done laproscopically.  I was happy with that news!!  I'm fairly certain this hospital stay will just be on a regular floor.
I also met with Dr. Holmes, my oncologist, yesterday.  She was "giddy" with the news from pathology.  She indicated that of the 0.5 cm mass that was left in the breast, the cells were so sickly and shriveled up that the pathology department couldn't do a complete study on them.  She was thrilled because that means the cancer cells responded extremely well to the chemotherapy.  Her excitement matched mine, so we were quite a sight!  She feels certain that the cancer is gone!  After three years, if nothing reappears, she told me I would be considered "CURED".  Those words were overwhelming!  What a gracious Lord we serve!  I don't think this has all sunk in to my thick skull yet, but I know it will soon!  I have to go back to the oncologist every 3 months for blood work and an exam for the next year.  The second year it will move to every 4 months, then the 3rd, 4th, and 5th year, every 6 months.   I will continue to rely on a great team of doctors throughout this time period.  More than that, I rely on the God of the universe, who made me fearfully and wonderfully!  Keep praying!!