So the day has finally arrived and I'm going in tomorrow to VGH at 6am. The surgery itself is scheduled for 8am and will take 4 hours. I should be done around noon and then I'll have a couple of hours in recovery. I will be staying for 3 nights and will probably be discharged on Sunday. The kids will be well taken care of by ALL my family because everyone is pitching in. I welcome visitors but please do not rush to see me this weekend. I know it's long weekend with busy plans and it'll pass by very quickly. I'll be home before you know it and can make time to catch up later. Also, I am limited to liquid food during recovery so there's no need to bring me treats. :)
I am not yet feeling anxious or nervous about the surgery but reality is about to hit tonight. It'll be hard to not see the kids but they will be kept busy. Aidan knows that I am going to have surgery since I have been talking about it for the past couple of weeks. When he asked if surgery was today and I replied no, it was met with a big, "Ahhhhh!! Why NOT?!" This is because he knows that his fave cousin, Charlotte, will be staying overnight with him. So in his little head, he's only concerned with when the fun starts which is why the distractions are in place! Then there's Liam which I'm sure will give up asking for me after being prodded with a rice cracker a few times so there's not much worry on that end. It'll just be a struggle not letting Liam attach himself on me like he usually does when he hasn't seen me in a while since I'm not supposed to lift anything for 2 months. Well, one day at a time and I'll worry about that later. Right now, just focused on having dinner tonight...
Thank you all for your positive words of encouragement and support. I am too lucky to have you all in my life and would not have gone this far without all of you.
Lots of love, J
P.S. Do not hesitate to call or text Elt in the next few days. He is going to try to blog at some point.
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Monday, June 13, 2011
Off to Relaxation
Last week I received a call from my oncologist, Dr. S in response to an email I sent her regarding her thoughts on the surgical options. She made a call to the surgeon and discussed in more detail about her reservations for the longer surgery. In the end, my oncologist agrees with the surgeon that I should go for the shorter surgery (pedicled tram) in hopes of having less complications. I am happy with her feedback and look forward to the operation on the 30th. I just felt that the surgeon and plastic surgeon had such differing opinions that I needed to know what my oncologist thought since she knows me best. One of the things I've learned through this process is to seek that second opinion on big decisions because all doctors have reasons for what they suggest, and those reasons are not always obvious. Either the doctor doesn't communicate it in those precious 10 minutes they have with you or you didn't happen to ask the right question. At least nowadays, I'm able to write a quick email to them to get an answer that doesn't involve waiting rooms or appointments.
It only took a week and a half for my skin to heal and as of now, looks pretty normal. The darkened skin from radiation has rubbed off and has uncovered new healthy skin. I'm always baffled at how the body can heal itself so quickly. I will still be careful to stay out of the sun until the surgery but at least I can go swimming. I also have more energy than during radiation and can definitely feel the difference.
At this time, I am not nervous about the surgery at all and am just enjoying the time off from treatment. We have been catching up with friends, going to summer events, and even attended Game 1 which was the highlight of this month (maybe the highlight of Elt's life). Tomorrow we are heading off to Kelowna with my sis and her family for 5 days. We're looking forward to doing nothing and letting the kids run around on the beach. When I come back, I'll be rushing around to have as much fun as possible before the end of the month. :)
I will send details of the surgery as soon as I know.
J
It only took a week and a half for my skin to heal and as of now, looks pretty normal. The darkened skin from radiation has rubbed off and has uncovered new healthy skin. I'm always baffled at how the body can heal itself so quickly. I will still be careful to stay out of the sun until the surgery but at least I can go swimming. I also have more energy than during radiation and can definitely feel the difference.
At this time, I am not nervous about the surgery at all and am just enjoying the time off from treatment. We have been catching up with friends, going to summer events, and even attended Game 1 which was the highlight of this month (maybe the highlight of Elt's life). Tomorrow we are heading off to Kelowna with my sis and her family for 5 days. We're looking forward to doing nothing and letting the kids run around on the beach. When I come back, I'll be rushing around to have as much fun as possible before the end of the month. :)
I will send details of the surgery as soon as I know.
J
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