The Next Step - My Spa Vacation
6/21/2011 10:51:00 PM Edit This 2 Comments »
Hello Dear Friends. Thank you all for the thoughts, prayers, and love. I draw strength from all of you and feel so very much at peace with my world. I am continually reminded how very blessed I am. I spent last Saturday laughing, visiting, and stamping with my Angel friends. I will try to post some pics of some of the cards I made.
Today my husband and I drove to Wichita to see an oncologist. It was an incredibly beautiful day, and some of my dear friends (thanks Diane and Caren) texted me love and encouragement and laughs as we drove. It made the trip much easier (2 and 1/2 hours can be very long if you are a little nervous about what awaits). My sweet friend, Caren, texted me a wonderful quote that she turned to in her battle against breast cancer several years ago. Caren is one of the strongest and most positive people I know. Here is the quote:
"Promise me you'll always remember...
You're braver than you believe,
and stronger than you seem,
and smarter than you think." - Christopher Robin to Pooh
Now for more about our visit. Everyone in the doctors' office was wonderful, and we really liked the gyn-onc. She was straight forward and listened and treated us as if I was her only patient. She thinks that we caught this little monster early (if this isn't enough reason far everyone to see their doctor for regular check-ups, I don't know what is - I had no symptoms). She also said that I am an excellent candidate for robot-assisted laparoscopic surgery using the DaVinci robot! I am so excited about this! It is state of the art and far less invasive than abdominal-incision surgery, which is the general protocol for endometrial cancer.
I will have surgery first thing Monday (6/27) morning. If all goes well, I will be released Monday evening or Tuesday morning (hospital stay for abdominal hysterectomy is typically 4-6 days). So my spa stay is shorter than I had planned! After my appointment at the gyn-onc I was able to get all of the preop lab and tests done at the hospital. I had a great nurse (with a delightful sense of humor) guide me through the process, and fill me in on all of the benefits of my "complete spa package" (like these cool compression boots during and after surgery to prevent blood clots). During the surgery, they will sample the lymph nodes and find out the stage of the cancer. Whatever it is, I know that I can handle it, with the help of God through my family and friends. And I don't intend to take things too seriously, either.
Once I get home, I am sure that my hubby and the (adult) kids still at home will cater to my every whim. Hah! That is a joke! Actually, I have been working very hard to make sure that everything is ready for me to take a vacation. I have a sub for my summer school classes, and have all of the notes, quizzes and tests prepared for him. If all goes well, I will be back in class for the last week of the summer session.
Stay strong, all of you, and turn to your friends and share that strength. You will never know how much you mean to someone else.
Today my husband and I drove to Wichita to see an oncologist. It was an incredibly beautiful day, and some of my dear friends (thanks Diane and Caren) texted me love and encouragement and laughs as we drove. It made the trip much easier (2 and 1/2 hours can be very long if you are a little nervous about what awaits). My sweet friend, Caren, texted me a wonderful quote that she turned to in her battle against breast cancer several years ago. Caren is one of the strongest and most positive people I know. Here is the quote:
"Promise me you'll always remember...
You're braver than you believe,
and stronger than you seem,
and smarter than you think." - Christopher Robin to Pooh
Now for more about our visit. Everyone in the doctors' office was wonderful, and we really liked the gyn-onc. She was straight forward and listened and treated us as if I was her only patient. She thinks that we caught this little monster early (if this isn't enough reason far everyone to see their doctor for regular check-ups, I don't know what is - I had no symptoms). She also said that I am an excellent candidate for robot-assisted laparoscopic surgery using the DaVinci robot! I am so excited about this! It is state of the art and far less invasive than abdominal-incision surgery, which is the general protocol for endometrial cancer.
I will have surgery first thing Monday (6/27) morning. If all goes well, I will be released Monday evening or Tuesday morning (hospital stay for abdominal hysterectomy is typically 4-6 days). So my spa stay is shorter than I had planned! After my appointment at the gyn-onc I was able to get all of the preop lab and tests done at the hospital. I had a great nurse (with a delightful sense of humor) guide me through the process, and fill me in on all of the benefits of my "complete spa package" (like these cool compression boots during and after surgery to prevent blood clots). During the surgery, they will sample the lymph nodes and find out the stage of the cancer. Whatever it is, I know that I can handle it, with the help of God through my family and friends. And I don't intend to take things too seriously, either.
Once I get home, I am sure that my hubby and the (adult) kids still at home will cater to my every whim. Hah! That is a joke! Actually, I have been working very hard to make sure that everything is ready for me to take a vacation. I have a sub for my summer school classes, and have all of the notes, quizzes and tests prepared for him. If all goes well, I will be back in class for the last week of the summer session.
Stay strong, all of you, and turn to your friends and share that strength. You will never know how much you mean to someone else.
2 comments:
I've been thinking about you today, and was glad to see the post when I came to check on you. I love that quote to pooh. Actually, when I was working and had to do some tough things, before I would go into the meetings, I would think these two little words: "Be Brave". I don't know why it calmed me, but it did. I can already tell you are brave and I just have a gut feeling that you are going to get through this! Keeping good thoughts heading your way! Best, Curt
Susan, I'm so glad to see you posted. I've been waiting to hear an update from you as you've been in my thoughts and prayers, my sweet friend.
I love that quote, and I hope you heed the words and let it comfort you as you need comfort. What a wonderful friend to sent it to you.
I'm so happy on the more non-invasive surgery, and I know all will go well. As Curt says, keep good thoughts; know you have others who care and who will be there on Monday with you in spirit.
I'll be back for all the good news...
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