The Waiting Place...
Monday, January 14, 2008 by ShawnieMac
Four days post op, and we've reached The Waiting Place..
"...for people just waiting.
Waiting for a train to go
or a bus to come, or a plane to go
or the mail to come, or the rain to go
or the phone to ring,
or the snow to snow
or waiting around for a Yes or a No
or waiting for their hair to grow.
Everyone is just waiting."
What I'd like to know is why are all these people waiting for their hair to grow??
Anyhow, the surgery really went smoothly, all things considered. They finished with the procedure in just over an hour. While in there, the doctor did see one spot on the liver, which I can only assume is the spot we already knew about, and some fluid/ascites in the area. Other than that, and the two orange-sized masses that they took out with my ovaries, nothing really looked awry. I suppose that alleviated one of my biggest fears - that they'd be in there looking around and the cancer is everywhere. Thankfully, that wasn't the case. The way I saw it, whatever those orange things were, they are now OUT, and with regards to the liver and surrounding organs, we didn't really learn anything we didn't know. So, the way I saw it, worst case scenario, the cancer was stable from the scan in November.
Until I realized that at the follow up appointment with Dr. C, I'd have to make some decisions on course of treatment based on whatever the findings were from the pathology. And the fact that there is still THAT DAMN SPOT. I could allow myself to dream - that the spot is of insignificant findings, but why bother...I'm not yet acquainted with my elusive friend NED (No Evidence of Disease) and the sooner that he and I become close personal friends, the better.
This is the part where I'm thankful for Greg working for a wonderfully understanding boss/company that decided that instead of traveling this week, it was more important for him to be here with me. Between the post-op healing, the house being painted, and the appointment with the oncologist, if ever there were a week for him not to travel, this would be the one. I was fully prepared to juggle all that needed to be juggled, without a peep. Thank you, BD, for taking away the need for me to do so. You have no idea how grateful I am...
So, the surgery. Well, as I started to say, it went smoothly, and by 1pm I was stuffed into the car and on my way home with three steri-strips and a bandage covering the largest of the incisions (which is about 2 inches). From what I hear, this incision is a bit larger than anticipated, due to the oranges. Anyhow. I remember eating a handful of pretzels and some salt and vinegar chips and guzzling some sparkling water with fresh orange, most likely burping loudly, then sleeping off and on for the next 3 or so hours.
The following few days have gotten progressively better with regards to range of motion, but I'm still swollen and bruised in places I wasn't sure people got swollen and bruised. I've been walking each day - today I did about 2 miles - and while the going is slow, I suppose it's like physical therapy - it hurts afterwards, but has its benefits. So, I walk.
The day after surgery was filled with the phone ringing off the hook, and various and sundry wonderful deliveries ranging from flower arrangements to tea and bath products to sinfully decadent chocolate dipped berries. The piece de resistance arrived just as we were trying to decide what to have for breakfast on Saturday morning in the form of 2 dozen H&H Bagels, complete with coffee mugs, cream cheese, and lox. Apparently whatever weight I might have lost from the oranges will apparently be put back on in record time. Such is life. At least I can taste things again.
So, here we are. Day four. Still in The Waiting Place but not too much worse for the wear... all things considered.
"...for people just waiting.
Waiting for a train to go
or a bus to come, or a plane to go
or the mail to come, or the rain to go
or the phone to ring,
or the snow to snow
or waiting around for a Yes or a No
or waiting for their hair to grow.
Everyone is just waiting."
What I'd like to know is why are all these people waiting for their hair to grow??
Anyhow, the surgery really went smoothly, all things considered. They finished with the procedure in just over an hour. While in there, the doctor did see one spot on the liver, which I can only assume is the spot we already knew about, and some fluid/ascites in the area. Other than that, and the two orange-sized masses that they took out with my ovaries, nothing really looked awry. I suppose that alleviated one of my biggest fears - that they'd be in there looking around and the cancer is everywhere. Thankfully, that wasn't the case. The way I saw it, whatever those orange things were, they are now OUT, and with regards to the liver and surrounding organs, we didn't really learn anything we didn't know. So, the way I saw it, worst case scenario, the cancer was stable from the scan in November.
Until I realized that at the follow up appointment with Dr. C, I'd have to make some decisions on course of treatment based on whatever the findings were from the pathology. And the fact that there is still THAT DAMN SPOT. I could allow myself to dream - that the spot is of insignificant findings, but why bother...I'm not yet acquainted with my elusive friend NED (No Evidence of Disease) and the sooner that he and I become close personal friends, the better.
This is the part where I'm thankful for Greg working for a wonderfully understanding boss/company that decided that instead of traveling this week, it was more important for him to be here with me. Between the post-op healing, the house being painted, and the appointment with the oncologist, if ever there were a week for him not to travel, this would be the one. I was fully prepared to juggle all that needed to be juggled, without a peep. Thank you, BD, for taking away the need for me to do so. You have no idea how grateful I am...
So, the surgery. Well, as I started to say, it went smoothly, and by 1pm I was stuffed into the car and on my way home with three steri-strips and a bandage covering the largest of the incisions (which is about 2 inches). From what I hear, this incision is a bit larger than anticipated, due to the oranges. Anyhow. I remember eating a handful of pretzels and some salt and vinegar chips and guzzling some sparkling water with fresh orange, most likely burping loudly, then sleeping off and on for the next 3 or so hours.
The following few days have gotten progressively better with regards to range of motion, but I'm still swollen and bruised in places I wasn't sure people got swollen and bruised. I've been walking each day - today I did about 2 miles - and while the going is slow, I suppose it's like physical therapy - it hurts afterwards, but has its benefits. So, I walk.
The day after surgery was filled with the phone ringing off the hook, and various and sundry wonderful deliveries ranging from flower arrangements to tea and bath products to sinfully decadent chocolate dipped berries. The piece de resistance arrived just as we were trying to decide what to have for breakfast on Saturday morning in the form of 2 dozen H&H Bagels, complete with coffee mugs, cream cheese, and lox. Apparently whatever weight I might have lost from the oranges will apparently be put back on in record time. Such is life. At least I can taste things again.
So, here we are. Day four. Still in The Waiting Place but not too much worse for the wear... all things considered.
UUGGHHHHH! I hate The Waiting Place......
Glad things went smoothly and that you are feeling pretty good....and that Greg is not traveling. These are all good things that are sure to be followed with more good things.
Let me know when you move on from The Waiting Place, cuz as long as you are there, so am I.
Kiss, Kiss
yup, move over on the waiting couch and make room for my ass....... are we knitting in the waiting place? or just chatting... I can chat. I can't knit. But seems like we should be keeping our hands busy... :)