In a recent email, Julie responded: "Well, as for the update, today is better. I still have a slight cough and a little congestion but it's becoming less, that's really great. I went to the doctor this morning and they didn't think that the fluid collecting underneath the drain was that bad. I mean, they were a little concerned but it wasn't that big of a deal. I was actually able to reduce the size of it a bit yesterday by milking the drains more regularly and then kind of manipulating some of the fluid into the drain. That was before the walk...Anyway today's visit with Dr. Sherman and his team was good. They took the drains out on both sides, removed the steri-stips from all of the incisions and said I was looking good. Now, of course when I look at it, I'm not sure that I agree (what do I know, I mean they've done this a ton of times), but I certainly trust them and it was encouraging news. Because the drains are gone I'm "free" of the tubing that I had to carry around so that's nice and they cleared me to begin doing some of the rehabilitative exercises I need to do twice daily to regain range of motion and flexibility in my shoulder, arms and chest. That part is really kind of surprising becuase I didn't realize how much the surgery would really impact me in that regard. I mean, my right shoulder is really stiff and limited and I have to stretch it several times daily, but I know that it will get better. I'm makind a more concerted effort to sit up and stand up straight when I can, too. I did go for a walk this afternoon - after I had taken a nap - and it was not brisk. I just wanted to get outside for a few moments while the clouds cleared. It was cold today and I prettymuch walked around the house with a blanket for awhile and made tea. It was nice. I've been doing quite a bit of reading, and that has been nice, too, but I have to get up regularly to walk around or at least stand up and stretch my neck and shoulders.God is so good to me. I'm so glad that I'm making progress, and even though it seems slower than what I have on my timetable, God knows exactly what He's doing and I'm so glad. I was thinking of the proverb ch 3:3-5 "trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge HIm and He will make your paths straight." I was thinking how when we acknowledge His working in all of our circumstances, good or bad, or trying, or effortless, He makes the paths straight. It's just that habit of being connected to HIm unceasingly (i.e. pray without ceasing) and what a fragrance it must be to Christ that we chose to trust him when we don't feel like it, and the amazing thing is even in the midst of the act of trusting him, Jesus gives us hope in that moment to trust HIm with all of our heart, and to know that He will make our paths straight. I'm so grateful to Christ for his blessings and for you and for all of those who have supported me incredibly on this journey. In some ways, this is the toughest time but I remember that it is all temporary and that HIs grace is new every morning. Blessings, Julie"