I cannot believe it has already been 1 month since I had my surgery. And over a month since my last post! So much has happened over the last month.....so hard to believe that 30 days ago I had cancer....and today, it is gone!! My week in the hospital was not so much a mini vacation as I had hoped. Mom & I arrived promptly at 5:30 am. Went through the check in process....got my IV in place.....Dr. Oliva came in and drew pictures on my body as to where they would cut, nip & tuck! As the time drew closer, my anxiety increased! Then in comes the anesthesiologists....the man who would have my life in his hands for the next 10 hours!! I expressed my 2 concerns....don't let me wake up in the middle of surgery....and, you better make sure I wake up at the end of surgery! Lol Not too much to ask in my opinion! He explained how he would find a spot where I was not too far under but also enough to remain asleep....because it was such a long surgery they have to find a level of sedation that's "in the middle" Made sense to me...just remember my 2 requests! Hahaha And then it was time...time to turn in my pink ribbon baseball cap, for a cheesy hair net lookin thing! As I looked to mom the tears began to fall...I was so scared...we hugged, she ensured me I was going to be ok and that she loved me, and off I went!! I really dont remember much after that. He had already given me something to help me relax, and asked me if I noticed it?? My reply..."I don't think so, I don't feel anything"....as I thought about what I had just said, I told him..."that must be it!" I was relaxed! For the next 10 hours, my amazing family & friends stayed in contact with updates, prayers, & encouragement. Kari stayed at the hospital the entire time! Thank you Kari!! James would get updates from the dr or nurse via phone every 2 hours....and Kari would post the update on my facebook.page. It truly was an amazing thing to go back & read....I feel so blessed to have the support that all of you showed!! I don't remember the recovery area or much of the next 2 days. From what I heard, I did say a few off the wall things and fall asleep mid sentence quite frequently! Between James & my parents someone was always with the kids & I. I can only imagine how much of a circus life was for those 5 days. I remember NEVER letting go of that pain med button! Mom told me one of the nurses came in and said..."good news, you're not pregnant!" Hmmmmm, I dont remember reading any where that this was even a side effect of this surgery, so thank God...that would have been a tough one to explain to my husband!! The next few days were up & down. I didn't eat much, food was kind of gross. I didnt have much of an appetite anyway. Once they took my pain button away & I had to take meds orally it all went downhill! And the 8 drain tubes hanging from my body had a little to do with my lack of appetite too! But I do have to say, I had amazing friends & family come visit, call, send flowers, cooking dinners for James & the kids, etc! I believe I had 10 floral arrangements in my room!! The nurses all commented on how good it smelled, and how much life it had!! Thank you all for that!!! And now....fast forward 1month....Im home, Im healing, Im cancer free, Im recovering! It's definitely been a fight...somedays I dont feel like there's much fight in me...but somehow one of you help me over the hump & its game on all over again! I see the end now..its so refreshing! I will never forget the past 6 months of my life (well, because of chemo brain, maybe some of it!) All the emotions....All the questions....All the prayers....All the pain....All the tears! While I was in it, I felt like it would never end, but here we are only 6 months later, and its almost over! So hard to believe! We've had so many angels watching over & taking care of us in every way imaginable..I wish I could personally thank each & every one of you! Please know in my heart how thankful I am! Ive said it before and I will say it for the rest of my life...I....WE....could not have done it without all of you!
Thank you & God Bless!
~Fierce Faith~
