My Health!!

I guess I best update everyone as to what has been going on with me health wise for the last couple of months. And it is probably best to start from the beginning.

In June I started experiencing some stomach issues, I figured it was due to the stress of all the budgeting things going on at work combined with my Fibryomyalgia. The problems continued into July which I then attributed to year end stress and my two almost back to back trips. Things never really got better and they really started getting bad over November and December. I tried a few over the counter things the first of the year and when they did not ease my discomfort I finally made a doctor's appointment.

At my doctor's appointment my doctor took one look at my abdomen and ordered an Ultra Sound on the spot. She initially thought it was Fibroid Uterus, and set up an appointment with an OB-GYN. My initial appointment was Friday, January 8th. I received a call from my doctor's office and the radiologist ordered a CT scan of my abdomen that Monday, January 11th. The CT scan was done and the next day I was meeting with the OB-GYN. At this appointment my hubby and I were told that there was a 21 cm or 8 inch bowling ball sized tumor on one of my ovaries. They did a blood test to check for cancer and we set up the operation to be done January 26th, the Tuesday after my scrapbook retreat. We waited three long days for the blood tests, which came back as negative for Cancer--much to our relief. Fast forward another week.

I had my pre-op appointment on January 25th, and then went to the airport to pick my mom up. The 26th I was at the hospital at 6 a.m. for my surgery. We knew what the worse case scenario would be, other than cancer would be a full hysterectomy. The surgery was scheduled to take about a half an hour. Well, about an hour or so in they moved mom and hubby from the main waiting room and told them that the O.R. cancer screening was inconclusive and that they would be taking both ovaries and my uterus. This was very scary for them, as they were told if it was cancer I would be immediately started on Chemo. The entire operation took over two hours. I came too and just knew that all my girl parts were gone, this is very sad for me but the upside is that I am alive and the rest can be worked through. We waited one full day, much better then the original three days to hear the two best words, NO CANCER. This still makes me cry, and I know all my family and friends waiting for the results did a collective sigh of relief on the 27th of January at 4:50 est. I would like to thank all my friends and family for all their thoughts, prayers, and positive vibes it has helped me and my husband deal with this situation more than anyone will ever know. I also want to thank my doctors and nurses for their care and compassion, I had the best team possible taking care of me and for that I will be forever grateful.

I was able to come home from the hospital on the 29th of January, and let me tell you my dogs and cats were more than elated to see me. I probably have two dozen staples going from my belly button to my pubic bone, actually looks like a zipper. The incision is so large because of the size of my tumor. The main tumor was about 25 cm across, and the CT scan only showed what the doctor called "the tip of the iceberg." The main tumor had encased my one ovary, and from that tumor another tumor the size of a nice sized cantaloupe was growing. In all the tumors weighed 6 1/2 pounds, and was full of a mucus like material. But again the biggest blessing was that there was no cancer.

So, now I am home and on the road to recovery. I will be home on medical leave for the next four to six weeks. I will be working from home some, but will mostly be concentrating on getting my strength and health back. My inners were so squished that it is going to take some time for my systems to fully recover, but they will recover. I go in on February 2nd to have the staples removed and for a check up. I have a long road ahead of me but I know that I can do this.

There y'all have it. Scary I know but it has turned out so much better than it could have. I try not to dwell on what could have been or on what I will lose out on, my life is more important than any of that and I am focusing on that. Please remember my parents, siblings and husband in your prayers, as they need as much strength as I do to get through all of this. I am thankful to all my friends and family for their support. I will do my best to keep everyone updated on my recovery, I may even post some before and after pictures (I know I will be scrapping this one for sure.) I want to add, for those of you who are dealing with cancer in some way my thoughts and prayers are with you, I may not have had cancer but I know what it means to survive and that is the best gift your family and friends will ever have. So keep fighting, someday a cure will be found, until then stay strong and remember I will always be in your corner.

With heartfelt thanks and bunny hugs peace out from the Bunny Hole.