SUN 6/28 - Amy Update

Dear Friends,

Just a quick update tonight. I spent a little time with Amy and Bryan this afternoon. Amy is in excellent spirits and looks beautiful. She is very grateful to be in the clear as far as cancer cells are concerned. My intention was to go down to the hospital and sit with her, not talk or require anything of her, just sit. But she had other plans and we had wonderful conversation. We talked about scripture - sovereignty of God issues, dumb things people say, we came up with several titles of the book I think she should write, The Year of Peyton, the trig teacher at Catholic School, all kinds of things. She didn't seem to want to nap today so that she would sleep good tonight.

The phantom itching started up a bit tonight. Under her arm itches, but because it is numb, she can't really find where to scratch. That might get a little frustrating during the night - a little prayer request there. She already has decent mobility in her right arm. The incisions (I think) are uncomfortable and they are what limits the motion. She's got a little catheter where her IV used to be, and that is all she's hooked up to now.

She has a male night nurse tonight. He is VERY talkative. Since Amy is the only patient in the ICU, he doesn't have much to do. There is no such thing as a quick question for him. He likes to talk! Within a few minutes, we learned that he is Army Reserve, civilian nurse, has been an EMT (or Paramedic), and a medic. I hope Amy will be able to get some sleep.

Two things I need to correct. In the first update I sent, I said the surgeon removed a sand dollar sized piece of muscle for biopsy - it was actually a silver dollar sized piece of muscle.

Also, the reason she was in ICU to start with was because of the chest tube thing they need to put in to get the air out of her chest. If you'll remember I had forgotten the reason yesterday.

Tomorrow is release day! It sounds like Dr. Mayfield may come early in the morning. I hope I can get over to her house before they get there so that I can decorate, but it looks doubtful. If any of you are close and can go put up a sign or two, that would be great.

I don't know that she'll be looking at e-mail anytime soon. If you want to send her a message, you could send it to me and I'll print it out for her. I know that would make her smile.

Thank you all for standing in the gap for Bryan and Amy. They are both extraordinary people and are handling this in a way that would make you all proud.

Blessings,Laurie