Recovery continues (3 weeks since surgery)

Beth is doing well as she completes her third week since surgery.  It's so obvious how much progress she is making each and every day and her doctors are so pleased. It's still uncomfortable to raise her arms over her head which is an absolute must..  So she continues to work on this daily hoping to avoid physical therapy.  She is still very limited to what she can lift - absolutely nothing 10 lbs or heavier for a few more weeks - easier said than done..   

Big step was receiving an OK to drive, but only when she absolutely has to - so she's not doing much driving.  She is out and about, but no doubt tires easily which for her is a big frustration...

She looks wonderful though and the smile and sparkle are no doubt coming back...

What's next: meeting with the oncologist in early March to discuss the next phase, but  one thing at a time.  

So right now it's time to concentrate on regaining her strength and getting as much rest as possible and keeping those muscles stretched so she can get her arms "comfortably" over her head!!!  As always - your continued thoughts and prayers are so appreciated...

Beth is doing wonderfully!!

I spoke to Beth last Thursday afternoon and she sounds wonderful. She was looking forward to her appointment the next day (despite it being Friday the 13th) with her plastic surgeon, hoping she could get rid of some of the drains... Well she did-yeah!!! And her plastic surgeon is so pleased and said she's doing much better than expected.. so half the drains are out and the plan is to remove the remaining drains this Wednesday. That in itself will be liberating not having to carry them around!!!

She's doing fine - going up and downstairs and has even gone out shopping with a friend. She is still sleeping on the couch because she needs to stay on her back but she is feeling better each day. She's off all her pain medications - just taking her antibiotics and ibuprofen now and then.

This Friday, Feb 20th, Beth will be meeting with her other surgeon and they will then be scheduling an appointment to meet with her oncologist to begin discussing the next phase.. But so far so good and it's encouraging that everything seems to be going better than we'd hoped...

Beth can't thank each and everyone of you enough for all your prayers and good wishes, she feels they have made all the difference. We've assured her that every one's support is going to continue until she has completed this journey and WON!!!!

Beth is recuperating

Day 6 since surgery and Beth is doing better each day. She's still quite sore, but coping - as many of us, it's never easy to find the right balance with pain meds and even moreso for someone who doesn't like to take medication..
As always, thank God for "moms" and that's true for Beth as well, her mom s making sure she gets the rest she needs...

Beth is home

Just a quick note to let you know that Beth is home - obviously very sore - but so glad to be home so that she can see the boys.. I think everyone recuperates much better at home than in the hospital - so now she just has to remember that she can't lift anything heavier than a coffee cup and she has to allow herself to be taken care of for awhile - which for Beth is easier said than done!
As always - Beth is so thankful for every one's good thoughts and prayers and we will keep you posted on her recovery and as she continues on this journey..

It's been almost 24 hours since surgery and Beth is very sore, which is to be expected. She's been having some episodes where she has difficulty breathing, which isn't unusal when someone is in considerable pain and gets anxious and it might also be a side effect of the anesthesia. But as you can imagine, no matter what the reason, that's very scary for her. Thanks to everyone who has sent their well wishes via email - we will be copying them and getting them to her.

For those of you who asked for an address to send cards:

Beth Giovannucci - 12 Everett Street - Norfolk, MA 02056-1609

Surgery is over and Beth's doing wonderfully

UPDATE-Surgery is over and Beth is doing very well and pleased that she has 'boobs!!!" Awesome!!!

They have just moved her to her room and she looks good considering all she's been thru today, but as Sean said, she's still pretty medicated - but in true Beth style - asking for her make-up (which is in her dad's car!) Go girl!@!!@

Obviously the next few days will be painful, but hopefully she'll keep using the button on her medication drip and take what they give her... as we said before they are wonderful about pain management and will do their best to keep her as comfortable as possible so she can begin to heal...

Thank you for your prayers and support and we'll keep you posted as her journey continues...

Surgery is going very well

UPDATE-Surgery is going very well - the double mastectomy is completed and the great news is there doesn't appear to be any cancer in the lymph nodes - yeah---what wonderful news... And the next great news is the surgeons decided to go ahead with the reconstruction portion of the surgery, which is what they are doing now - Beth was so frightened not knowing what she would wake up to and this will be such a boost to her spirits...
No doubt she still has a long road ahead of her - but it's so obvious to all of us that the prayers are working, so keep 'em coming!!
We will keep you posted as soon as we know she is out of surgery and into recovery..But what a relieve that so far the news is all good..

Beth's surgery is tomorrow morning

Beth had a very busy day Friday meeting with the surgical team, anesthesiologist and getting all the necessary papers signed.. Fortunately she’ll be on a morphine drip after surgery and they’ve assured her that pain management is a top priority… Reality is no doubt setting in for her and her entire family-when I spoke to her Saturday she was busy cleaning the house and getting everything ready for the boys; she’d hoped to only be in the hospital a day or two so was disappointed when they told her to plan for at least 5-6 days; the drains will come out in 7-8 days and chemo will probably begin in 30-35 days.. Although they are planning to do the reconstruction tomorrow during surgery; a final decision won’t be made until surgery is underway and they know for sure what they are dealing with.

Beth will arrive at Faulkner Hospital very early tomorrow morning and family will be with her throughout. Surgery is expected to be quite long -7 hours or more, so we don’t expect to have any news until very late afternoon or early evening at the soonest. Once we do we will add it to the site…

Beth, her family and all of us who love her have been overwhelmed by everyone’s graciousness, support and prayers… Together we know she’s is going to win this challenge for sure…. Please keep her and her family in your prayers…