Short Update

Thought I would give a quick update.
I am actually feeling great.
Haven't taken any pain meds since Wednesday, last week.
Excited to switch the cancer meds, hopefully one that doesn't cause insomnia, weight gain, and hair lose as a side effects.
That might be wishful thinking though.
My left incision's glue came off too soon and it split open.
My doctor was great and got me right in to make sure everything was ok.
It is, I just have to keep a band aid over it.
But the best news of all...
The pathology report came back - no signs of cancer cells anywhere.
Wahoo!!!!!!

Thanks again for all the wonderful support and concerned calls.

Home and Doing Good

First off I want to thank everyone for the sweet words, thoughts and prayers.
I have received lots of beautiful flowers, plants, balloons and a yummy edible arrangement. 
Your support means so much to me, I feel very loved.

Disneyland was great. 
I only wish we had more time there. 
Two days was not enough. 
The kids had a blast and are already asking when we can go back.
I don't have the heart to tell them not for at least 5 years.

We got back very early Wednesday morning. 
I had 1 doctor appointment that afternoon, 2 on Thursday and 2 on Friday.
Getting everything in place for surgery Monday morning.
I had to be to the hospital at 5:45 am.

I got checked in and was taken back to OR by 7:30 am.
Surgery lasted only about 2 hours.
First my port was removed. (I asked if I could keep my port, I got a strange look but they agreed.)
I am a little sore at the incision site.

These are a few pictures of my port still in.
You can see the raised bumps on the first one,
that is to tell the nurse where to insert the needle.
The one below is the cord that goes from the port to the vein in my neck and over to my heart.
Then a few pictures of the chemo needles, one in and one just to see how big the needle is.

Here is my souvenir, not sure what I am going to do with it.

 

 I hate the tape they use.
This one stuck so well to my skin it actually pulled some of it off with the bandage.



Next was the Laparoscopic Bilateral Salpingo-Oophorectomy with Hysterectomy.
So basically, removal of both ovaries, tubes and uterus.
(That was probably too much info so I will spare you the rest of the details.)
I will say how amazed I am at what doctors can do laparoscpicly.
The only evidence I have of this surgery is 3 small, less than 1/2 inch, incisions on my abdomen.
(One is in my belly button so I couldn't get a good picture of it, that is probably for the best)

And a very bruised arm from a failed IV.

The doctor said there was a mass on one of my ovaries, so everything has been sent to pathology.
I should get the results back in about a week.
He said he didn't think it looked like cancer, probably just a cyst.
Otherwise everything was very textbook and went great.

I was awake by lunch and by evening they had me up and walking around.
I do remember asking for the catheter to be removed as soon as I woke up.
One less pain I wanted to deal with.
I was having quiet a bit of pain from the air they used to inflate my abdomen. 
Apparently they have a hard time getting all of it out and most often the extra air rises up and sits
right under the ribs and presses on them and the diaphragm.
This also cause nerves to get pinched that go to the shoulder and neck.
I don't understand how it all works, but they said it would only last a few days.
But the most painful thing of all was my back.
More than the neck pain, incisions or abdomen pain put together.
I think laying on my back for most of the day really messed it up.
The back pain was the main reason I was taking my pain meds.
It hurt to sit, walk and lay.
I am so happy to be home in my own bed.
It does seems to be getting a little better everyday.

Thanks again the all the well wishes and continued concern.

Staying Busy

This month is filling up fast already.
In the last two weeks I have had 5 doctor appointments.
In the next couple of weeks I will have 5 more.

I did a little pampering for myself.
I had my hair dyed. 
I needed to cover up all the grey that was coming in.
I got some eye lash extensions - I love them.
I lost almost all of mine during chemo.
I am going to a luncheon for cancer survivors.
Last year I had just been diagnosed and was feeling the full effects of my first round of chemo.
Honestly I don't remember very much other than I didn't dare eat anything for fear of throwing up.
This time I imagine it will be different.
This year I am going with others survivors - friends.

Abby informs me everyday how many more days are left until we leave.
Disneyland is 8 days away!
I think I am ready.
I only hope my energy can keep up with them, just for a few days.
I really don't want to have to go back to the hotel room and rest.
I want to go on every single ride, with them!

I am getting nervous.
The surgery I had planned for October has now been bumped up.
It is 5 days after we get back from Disneyland.
I understand the reasoning behind needed a complete hysterectomy,
but I am scared for all the long term side effects.
I am not sure I am ready for this, again.
I guess I will have another excuse to take lots of naps.
I have a feeling I will be very, very tired.
(I am also having my port removed at the same time.)

I have nothing on my calendar for October, yet.
I know that will start filling up soon too.
Hopefully with less doctor appointments and with more fun activities.