I know a few people have been asking, so here is what has happened recently.
Rita ended up having some serious complications from her surgery. She developed DVT (blood clots) in her leg, which then broke off and ended up in her lungs (pulmonary embolism). Fortunately for us, the clots went to her lungs and not her heart or brain. Doctor told me that if it had gone to her heart she would have been gone. She spent an additional week in the hospital. She is on blood thinners, and they put a filter in her to catch any more clots from making their way from her leg to anywhere else.
Initially after the surgery we were told that the cancer had not spread. Turns out that the final pathology determined that it has spread, although not to a huge degree. She may end up with more surgery. They are trying to avoid that due to the blood problems. Tests indicate a rare genetic disorder that predisposes her to clots. Her mom and aunt both died very young from stroke/heart attack. She may be on blood thinners permanently.
Today we went and had a procedure to put a port in for the chemo. This is placed under her skin near her collarbone so they do not have to use IVs to administer the drugs. That starts the week of the 22nd, every 2 weeks for 4 months, then something else every 3 weeks for a year.
So that is where we are at, her spirits are good, she has been amazingly brave and upbeat. She worries more about how this effects everyone else than about herself. Thanks for everyone's support, and thanks to the gang for making me laugh so much last night, I needed it.