Therese answering (with her eyes closed) “how do you feel?” –> “I’m really glad it’s over.  There have been moments over the last few weeks where it hit me that this surgery was really happening, and happening soon, and I would have these freak out moments about losing a part of my body.  But now that it’s over, at least for now, I’m glad I did it.  I am a little worried for when I can see what it looks like.  I’m not sure I want to see right now.  ”

Therese answering (with her eyes closed) “how does it feel, physically?” –> “My chest feels really tight.  A lot of pressure.  Otherwise I can’t feel it.  If you touched my chest right now, even by my collar bone, I couldn’t feel it.”

Phase two went smoothly and Therese is now in the recovery room and talking. Updates to follow when they let us see her.

Dr. Bethke, the breast surgeon, made a visit to the waiting room about 30 minutes ago and let us know that the first phase of surgery–the breast tissue removal–went smoothly and took a little over 2 hours.  Therese is now with the plastic surgeon, Dr. Fine (a breast reconstruction specialist), for the second phase of surgery.  During the second phase, Dr. Fine will implant the tissue expanders, as well as perform various other reconstructive procedures that went over our heads when he explained them during pre-op.  This portion of the surgery will take a minimum of 2.5 hours.  Thanks to everyone for all the thoughts and prayers!

“Team T” (M made the t shirts) sent T off to surgery at 7:45 AM this morning. She was in good spirits, in large part thanks to M’s comic relief in the waiting room! Surgery should take 5-7 hours, and recovery is another 2, so it will be awhile before we see her next. We will keep everyone posted!

Liz arrived early Sunday morning, and Mary late Sunday night.  Cheryl, of course, got in town days earlier.  All the Fox women went to a late dinner and were the last table standing, as Therese enjoyed her last sips of wine for awhile.  Mary had some gulps.  Therese shared more details of what was to come, and was surprisingly calm and positive.