Dear Amy,
The surgeon I used Dr. Adams at Mount Sinai NYC did not offer the robotic approach. I could have had the mini-sterondoctomy or the approach under the breast. I chose under the breast in hopes of a speedier recovery. Initially, I was told my approach to surgery was more painful. I was still making my decision up until they put me under. I am happy with my results, and did not suffer any severe pain. As I posted before, the breathing tube(I could not handle it and begged to have it removed 4 1/2 hrs after surgery)and a pain that felt like someone had a hot searing iron on my leg were my two issues. The leg pain was because in my type of surgery they go in near the femoral artery . The pain hindered my efforts to walk because when I put weight on my leg it got worse. This pain has diminished greatly since I am home.
Robotic surgery is so amazing to me and I am glad it has all worked out for you. I will keep you updated and let us know how your continued successful recovery goes.

Theresa Callanan
Howell NJ

Amy,
I am glad your recovery is progressing. What type of incision is it for the robotic surgery? I had my incision under my right breast. I am recovering well and have some tiring days as well as energetic ones.
I hope you continue to have a great recovery and thanks for sharing.
Theresa Callanan
Howell NJ

Amy:
Glad to hear you are doing so well and continue to improve. Keep following the doctor's orders and you'll be out playing golf in no time.

Lori

Hi Amy,
Glad to hear your in good company and keeping structured in the program. Almond Butter can help with that protein intake and easy to eat!
Keep up the good work..look forward to seeing that smile of yours when your ready!
Duke game on and very boring..I am always thinking about you as I pass by from Hot Yoga class...be strong and know I am here when you need me !

Kelly

Amy glad you are doing well R Chitwood

Hi Amy
I was really glad to see your updated journal entry today reporting that your recovery is coming along nicely. It's wonderful to have so much strong support. I wish you continued success. Cheryl, Ontario

Amy,

Thanks for your kind guestbook entry. I am so glad you are 2 weeks post-op and 1 week post-homecoming. Isn't wonderful to be home?! I'm also thrilled you've had just steady progress with no drama. Do as I say, not as I do. ;-) Keep on healing and making progress. Isn't it great to be on this side of the surgery? And isn't life wonderful?

Prayers and all the best from central Florida!

Duane Hunt

Wow, what a wonderful post op update. Sounds like you've made a lot of progress. Don't overdo. I'll do what you're doing, trying to do as much as I can to improve my recovery also, but think I would rest more during the day than you are. But am sure your body is telling you what it needs. We also are blessed with a wonderful daughter in law (and 2 son-in-laws). Keep healing.
Fran Zilko

Amy; sounds like you are on the mend. good news. Glad you have your daughter-in-law to help you and Matthew. let me know if we can do anything for you.

Dick

Amy,
I was told today that there is a strong possibility I could leave tomorrow...fingers crossed. If not definitely Sunday. Your surgery was different because it was robotic surgery...mine was done by the surgeons under the right breast. Hope you are feeling better and I enjoyed talking to you.
Theresa Callanan
Howell NJ

Thank you so much for your kind words. I followed your surgery and am glad you are home and doing well. I look forward to having it done and am at peace tonight.

Theresa Callanan

Hi Amy and Matt

Just popping in via email to wish you a happy day and hope the recovery is progressing. Take care...with warmest wishes Sharlene. xx

Hi Amy
So very glad to read your recovery is on track. I was sorry to know you were having a tough time immediate post-op - you just never know. It's good to hear you are home and able to do as much as you can so quickly. I didn't have all the problems with the chest tubes that you did. While we can all tell of our own experience there doesn't seem to be a written rule. I don't even think we have robotic surgery in my area. You are in my prayers for a speedy recovery and hopefully soon will be able to get back to full activity. Cheers. Cheryl, Ontario

Amy
Thanks for your latest entry about all those tubes, wonder how long it'll be to have all of mine removed? You've done amazingly well, collapsed lung and all. Prayers have been answered.
Fran Zilko

Amy,

Being home can be the best medicine of all. It seems just yesterday you were telling me what you were facing and I remember you thinking that you might have the procedure the end of February. Well here it is the end of the month and you are well on the road to recovery. Call when you feel like chatting

Love, Frankie

Good Morning Amy!
Good for you in communicating this ordeal so clearly. I am so happy you are home with the family. I am home with a cold so I will not be seeing you or anyone for awhile.
At least the sun is out for you!
Love kelly

Amy - you are totally amazing. And, Matthew - as Dick says, is quite the guy. I know you are so happy to be home - enjoy! Peggy

Great to hear from you. Matthew is quite a guy. look forward to talking with you soon.

Dick

Amy - it's just great to have you back at the controls. I know how much guestbook entries mean to my mum (Penny) so thought I would say hi. Mum is in surgery as I type (although should be done by the time you read this!)

Matt has done an incredible job, sounds like you guys are a match made in heaven. All the very best in your speedy recovery! Georgie

Dear Amy and Matt

Welcome home...it really is such a great feeling to be in your own space and have your shower and wash your hair....you kind of feel a little better already....I have been reading your journal diligently and thanks to Matt we received great updates of your highs and lows.

Look forward to following your progress and may you continue to make positive steps and go from strength to strength.

Love and warmest wishes come your way.
Sharlene

Amy:
I'm glad you are doing so well. While Matt has been entertaining I'm happy you back at the controls. I'll stop by this weekend to see you. I can't tell you how happy I am that you are home and the worst appears to be over.
Lori

Amy,
I'm so glad your recovery is coming along well. You seem to be a strong person.
Patrick in STL

Amy & Matt-
We are just back in town and have just read news that wasn't good it was GREAT. You have both done well and we are truly happy and thankful. Now you are well on the way to a full recovery and soon will be making tee times. I know a lot of work ahead but nothing compared to the battles you have already won. Keep up the great work and thanks for letting us all know how you are doing. June and Buster

Amy you sure are a trooper! Guess you needed the feel of home eh? Nothing like "Home".

Keep at it and in no time you'll feel like yourself again.

Matt you're a trooper too! The strong and unconcditional support you give Amy is enough to keep her smiling.

Love
Syd

Hi Amy and Matt

How wonderful it was to see you've been out for a walk already. You sound to be a wonderful caregiver and secretary and it was great that you are able to keep us posted as to Amy's progress. It's great to be home, isn't it? Prayers for Amy's continued recovery. Cheryl, Ontario

Best news yet. Home and eating flapjacks!! Hope you continue to improve Amy and get stronger each day. Did you two ever get to try the robotic simulator before you left? Mathew, you did the most awesome job of keeping us all up to date. If my hubby does half as much, I'll be pleased. Keep posting.
Fran Zilko

Amy and Matthew,

I was doing some research this morning and came across this journal. I am so happy to see your smiling face, Amy, and know that your surgery was a success. You have a most wonderful and caring husband. Please take good care of her Matthew, as I know you will. I love you, Amy, and hope you are fully recovered soon.

Much love,
Sissy saylorgl@comcast.net

congrats on your speedy recovery amy! great to hear. i had my aorta replaced last year. every month i felt abit better, and finally i feel like myself again. it looks like your care givers staff from the hospital sent messages, i wish i had contact with mine too.it wouldve been nice since you get to know them so well. so now its rest and relaxation for you. happy healing, jeff in NJ
jeffstoveken@yahoo.com if you have any questions at all

Great news on release from the "joint". GREAT NEWS.

Dick

Hi Amy and Matt,
Wonderful news for the both of you, Georgie knows to keep reading your updates to me over the next few days. I really appeciated your note and thoughts in the middle of your own personal crises. Georgie took some photos of me yesterday in pre op excitment mood (that didn't last as long as I hoped for)but it took forever because I wanted to look as glam as possible after seeing Amy's pics. She's my role model! Love to you both and hopeful to be back at keyboard in a few days for real.
Warmest wishes Penny

Hey Y'all!

hope the ride home was uneventful and that you're enjoying resting in your own bed again. Amy keep up with the steady progression and you'll be back to yourself before you realize it. In the meanwhile, enjoy giving orders to your man servant:) Hi Matt! It was a pleasure taking care of y'all and I hope the recovery process continues to go well!

Traci

Amy, Great news...nothing like being in your own home and your own bed to make you feel better. So happy that everything has gone so well for you. Prayers for your continued recovery!
Monica (Nashville)

Amy:

Glad to have you back in Raleigh. Continue to get rest and you'll be back to your normal routine in no time.

Lori

we are both happy to hear everything went well and you are returning to Raleigh'Feel sure you will continue along this successful road. Anne and Bob Z

Super news.
Fran Zilko

Hi Amy and Matt
Great news that Amy is progressing well enough to get sprung. Prayers do get answered. Cheryl, Ontario

Amy and Matt,

Great news on your homecoming. What a team you are! Hope you are getting rest, Matt. Amy, you are a marvel. Warm wishes, Peggy

Amy and Matt,

Great news on going home and having your chest tube removed! Not to alarm you in any way, but since my tubes were removed, I have experienced some healing pain in the places the tubes were which were in my breast area. Hopefully you will not have the same issue, but if you do, just remember it's perfectly normal and just part of the healing process.

Keep up the great work and I will look forward to your next post.

Gentle hug.

Amy and Matt,
So great to hear of the progress. Keep walking , keep drinking , keep flowing!

Love Kelly

Amy & Matt,

Great to see all is going very well.

FYI, I received a positive email from Dr. Chitwood after you were extubated. He noted that the surgery went as planned!

:)

Keep on tickin!
Adam Pick

So it all boils down to a #2 (and of course that last tube). Are there any prunes available and Colace? Waiting to read you're in the car on the way home.
Fran Zilko

Hi

glad to hear the update!
I am sure once you get home you will feel better with Matt feeding you :)

love
victoria & david

Hey there Miss Amy...
I'm so glad to see things are going as well as can be! I knew you'd be a superstar patient from night number one! It was a pleasure taking care of you and I'm glad to see you are continuing to get the care you need. I know you will be happy to go home, just keep it slow and steady and you will do perfectly!
Take care!
Amber H., RN

Hi Amy and Matt

What a difference a few hours can make! I agree with Fran that once Amy returns to her own home, her appetite will return. Good to hear the pulse is getting better too. This has turned out to be a stellar day for the Machtay's. I'm praying Amy has a great night tonight and will look forward to hearing home is on the menu for tomorrow. Cheryl, Ontario

What great news!! I would hope that once Amy is home in familiar surroundings her appetite will pick up. Having that last tube out will have to help also. Keep posting and keep us up to date. You've done a great job. Do you have a medical background? Prayers continue for Amy.
Fran Zilko

Yeah!!! That's what horrah beer's talking about!!! Homeward bound and well deserved. You both have been such troopers through this all and now it back to life again.

Amy and Matt, thank you so much for allowing us to share in your experience and to be right there in the band stands cheering you both on...you're an inspriration to us...to forge forward and dare to face any obstacle and step right over it with a positive outlook.

Love
Syd

Hey Matthew and Amy,

I wish I could be there to yell some You Go Girls in the corner of the room. It sounds like we need to encourage Amy to EAT! Ice-cream, Ice-cream we all scream for Ice-cream! I do agree that you might ask about the pain medication causing the nausea. Keeping you in our thoughts and prayers.
Love, Karin & Dan

Thaks for the update Matthew. We are thinking good thoughts.

Dick

Good morning Amy and Matt
Sorry to hear Amy's appetite hasn't returned yet? Does she feel sick possibly because of the pain killers? If you think that might be the case, could they perhaps change the medication. I was terribly sick using percocet so changed to Tylenol Extra Strength and the nausea left immediately. Just wondering.

Chin up you guys. Marked improvement will come your way. Cheryl, Ontario

Hi Amy and Matt,
Love the new photos - that is some suite you have there! Amy sounds as if she is listening to her body and not pushing to do more, that's great news. Matt - do you ever 'get out' or do you stay with Amy 24/7?
I go in at 2pm this afternoon (UK time)for surgery tomorrow so will post my last journal for a week. Georgie is taking over for me and she knows to keep me updated on your progress. Be back soon! warmest wishes Penny