Recovering from my surgery (warning - photos included)...

Friday morning, I arrived at the hospital bright and early for my surgery. In the parking garage, I asked Tom to take a photo of my neck pre-surgery.

Tom and I were taken back so I could be prepped for surgery. My mom was able to join us a little while later. The surgeon came in to draw the incision line on my neck. I was beyond nervous, but very confident that in the end everything would be ok. Some "happy drugs" were administered before I was taken into the operating room. I remember being moved to another bed and having a mask put over my face.

Then I remember waking up. And feeling terrible. When my surgeon came in to check on me, I honestly told him I felt like crap. Actually, I think I felt worse than that! A while later I was moved to my room where Tom and Mom were waiting for me. (I was so thankful to have been put in a private room!)

The surgery went well and the preliminary pathology report came back negative.

Not long after going into my room, flowers were delivered. I have a wonderful husband.Here's the first post-op photo just hours after my surgery. (I had to have a drainage tube.)

I had some really rough spells throughout the day on Friday, but by Friday evening was feeling ok. I was able to get up and move around (pulling the IV behind me).

By Saturday morning, my incision was already looking better. The drainage tube was removed and I was released from the hospital by 1:00 on Saturday afternoon. Feeling was starting to come back though and my neck was feeling really tight. It is very uncomfortable to swallow and talk.

This morning, I could see even more improvement. It's so nice not having anything attached to me!Thank you to everyone for all of your prayers and thoughts during this time. I really appreciate it!