Surgery...Done

My surgery was yesterday morning and it went well.  I'm covered in bandages for a while and on pain meds and antibiotics.  I slept all the way to Pine Bluff after the surgery, and I get to recover at home with my entire family.  I'm a very happy person right now.  Hopefully, this will be the last of my cancer surgeries/treatments.  I feel like I'm about to close this chapter of my journey.  Hallelujah!!  I'm having surgery soreness and lots of throat pain, but I'm treating it as best I can.  I may not be able to eat much Thanksgiving dinner today, but maybe by the weekend my throat will allow it.  Pardon my ramblings, but pain meds can do that to me.  Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Another Surgery

Update:  Well, the abdominal pains are still there and still a mystery.  I've had a CT Scan and even went to a GI doc to explore possibilities.  They started a round of tests too.  I will probably call my oncologist again to have that MRI done since it's still here after 3+ weeks.

Surgery:  As far as I know, the outpatient surgery is still on for Wednesday.  My surgeon wants to see me tomorrow to discuss the abdominal pain I've had.  It's not in an incision spot, so I think we'll have this one as planned.  This procedure will start at 7:30 and will last about 3 hours.  I hope to be home by 3:00 or so and feeling pretty normal in 1 day or so.  Hopefully, I'll have an appetite for Thursday's dinner.  ;-)  On a side note, I find that I'm tired don't want to go to bed like I usually do around 9:00.  It may be some anxiety about the procedure. As usual, prayers are appreciated.  Thank you.

Abdominal Problems

Just when I thought I was on my way to a full recovery, I started having pain in the left side of my abdomen.  It's been two weeks and the pain is still very intense.  I called my doctor's office after a few days of the pain, and they brought me in for a CT scan.  I was told that it looked okay but to come back for an MRI if it continues for two weeks.  So, I wait. 

The pain is still there - especially during the evening hours and when I pull or bend.  I have made an appointment with a gastroenterologist for next Wednesday, and my plastic surgeon wants to see the CT scan report and film next week to determine if this will impact my upcoming surgery.

The pain started like a cramp in a distinct area in the left side of my abdomen.  I stretched to see if it would go away, but it didn't.  It worsened and seemed to go through to my back in the same area.  It interferes with my ability to get to sleep at night, but it responds to pain medicine and eases when I find a comfortable position and be still.  I know something's going on in there, but I'm not sure if it's muscular or digestive.  The scan showed that my kidneys looked fine.

So, here's another thing to add to your prayer list.  :-) 

Life as Usual

The 2011 Race for the Cure - Memphis went very well. It was only one-fourth the size of the race in Little Rock, but it was very nice.  I walked the entire 5K.  I haven't done that since before chemo.  Oh, and all three of my girls did it with me...yes, even Camille!! 

I've been pondering several things lately.  I still have a few loose ends to take care of, but I'm looking forward to getting involved in some very worthy causes.  I don't know how much of it I'm up to yet, but I know it's a passion, so I'm leaving it up to God.  Also, I really need to get moving physically.  I need to start an exercise program as soon as I can get rid of these pains.  I never expected the July surgery to affect me this long.  But, it is what it is.

I know I should take my time and get well, but to me, some things just need to be DONE.  There are so many needs out there and so few willing contributors.  As author Ron Hall said at last night's Heartlight, "What will happen to them if I DON'T stop and help?"