Completion Surgery and Recovery

I had my completion surgery on Monday 10th July. Not gonna lie, it's been harder this time around.

I wasn't able to jump straight back into breastfeeding like last time, and I am in a lot more pain than I expected. I said to a friend the other day, had I known how big a surgery I was having- I probably would have been a lot more fearful of it. I guess ignorance is bliss. They call this type of surgery an MOS, The Mother of All Surgeries. And it really is. Iv got a cut all the way from my pubic bone up to below my breasts. Instead of stitches they used staples to put me back together- over 50 staples!

Ive had a full hysterectomy, right ovary removed, the omentum (fatty tissue that protects your stomach) and appendix removed as well as lesions removed from the top of my bladder and bowel.

I woke up to wearing a catheter, and two drains on either side of my stomach. I was so glad to be wearing an epidural for the pain management as it enabled me to manage my pain and sleep a lot.

Auckland hospital do not muck around, they had me getting back on my feet pretty quickly.

Art stayed with me at the hospital and my mother in law Stacee and Taylor took turns staying with us.

After a 5 day stay, I was ready to go home and see my other babies.

We stayed with family for over a week when we got home. Having a 3 month old baby and me needing 24/7 care, it was going to be a bit much for my hubby to do it all on his own. We are very greatful for the help we received, the first week home was rough but it was endured having Stacee manage my pain killers and doing the night feeds with Art so that Taylor could focus on our older children, it really does take a village.

We are home now and so glad to report I am

recovering well. We have had so many kind messages and offers of support, we are so greatful!

I start chemotherapy next week, it has been rushed a bit as this is an aggresive cancer and we want to get ahead of it as quickly as possible. So for now, I will

enjoy lots of cuddles with Art, and spend time with Taylor, Amber and Cooper and be greatful for the life I have now.

Some pictures from the last two weeks, featuring Art meeting his Grandad Pete for the first time 🥰 We are

glad to have him home again. Many of you will know Peter has been busy working hard over in Indonesia, helping many people. So it is pretty special he has come home early to help support us.