Tonight I am preparing the last supper that Michaela will have before the surgery.  She has a craving for stuffed tomatoes, so that will be the main dish.  Tomorrow she must fast after breakfast and drink lots of fluids, so the reality of what is happening the next day will be unavoidable.  Please send lots of love tomorrow and pray that she stays strong and brave.

The surgery will take place on Monday afternoon, and they want her up and moving right away afterwards (studies show tremendous benefit to healing with walking right away).  She will not be able to eat however, so will be fed intravenously.  The meals delivered to the hospital will be for her close friends and family who will take turns sitting with her at all times.

Once her bowels start working again and she can eat, that will be the indication that she can come home.  Dr. Simkins has advised that it could take 3-10 days for this to happen.

The main unknown factor with this surgery is how damaged her tissues are from the radiation.  We hope that they are strong enough to successfully handle the stress of the surgery.  Michaela is lucky enough to have friends coming to give her reiki and healing touch.  This has been shown to benefit surgical outcomes, so we are trying to give her every possible advantage.

As always, we are deeply grateful for the love, good wishes, and support of the community.

love,
Mado