Since last we met the rollercoaster has continued with the ups and the downs the occasional normalcy. As I posted on my Facebook page my PETscan came back clean! This was a definite up and gave me great relief. I think for the first time in a long time I was able to actually take a breath. I slept better that night than I have in quite a while. I remain immensely grateful for this and it’s a huge score on my side.
Cancer 0
Susan 1
Next was the surgery. My mom and brother both came in to support me and be with me during the surgery. They were both here early enough that we got to spend a nice day together Sunday, the day before surgery. Surgery was early Monday morning and we all got up super early to be at the hospital by 6:00 a.m. Once I was checked in all the appropriate medical staff came by to do their portion of the pre-op and answered any questions we had. I was a bit nervous about the surgery, but not nearly as much as I wanted this beast out of me. They surgery was robotic and they took the uterus, ovaries, fallopian tubes, cervix, and pelvic lymph nodes. As planned all of these parts and pieces were sent to the lab for pathology. We expected that these results would be back in about 48 hours. The Dr spoke with my mom after the surgery and told her that everything went fine. I guess he told me too, but I was still pretty out of it. I was in recovery for the minimum of four hours and everything was going as planned. Once the time was up and I did all the required tasks we left and I was home by about 3:00 that afternoon. The abdominal pain was not that bad and tolerable, however I did have a pain from the bottom of my rib cage to the bottom of my chin that was pretty intense. It felt like I would imagine broken ribs would feel like. It hurt to take a deep breath, move or laugh (clearing throat). Although the pain was pretty annoying I was more concerned that I was hurting more in the wrong area than where I expected it to hurt. After about two days of this my mom called the hospital. They responded fairly quickly and asked… does it hurt in your shoulder area? Why yes, yes it does. Oh.. Well “sometimes” the air that they use to inflate your belly for the surgery gets trapped after surgery and “sometimes” it pushes on a set of nerves on your diaphragm and causes this pain. Alrighty. Good info to have. So once I knew what it was I was somewhat relieved. This pain was alleviated over the next day or two and all was good.
Cancer 0
Susan 2
Almost to the minute the pathology results came back 48 hours later. I saw them in my portal and immediately grabbed my stethoscope and lab coat to play Dr Bedker. This is almost as bad as calling in Dr Google. So about a half hour later the actual Dr called to go over the results. Long and short is that both types of cancer were present in the uterus as well as the lymph nodes. He told us this and that I would require both Chemotherapy as well as Radiation. He said that my case would go in front of the board to come up with a treatment plan and that I would be contacted by the perspective departments. The next day I was in fact contacted to set up a consult for my Chemotherapy and my Radiation. My consults are on April 13, and 20 respectively.
During this period I have been supported by my family and close friends. This support has come in many forms and have all been greatly appreciated. From a visit and a hug to a chat, text, phone call, and many prayers. There has been support from those that I wouldn’t have expected it from and in ways I wouldn’t have expected it.
Thank you to all my family and friends for all the support. I is appreciated!!
I know that I am in for the fight of my life, but I will emerge victorious. As I have been told and believe. This is a bump in the road, it is NOT the end of the road. The piece of shit that we refer to as cancer has given me some blessed gifts and some terrifying burdens. With continued support and love of family and friends I will take with me the gifts and grow stronger from the burdens.
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