Faithfully Fighting

It’s been a busy couple of weeks!  They have flown by, some days wonderful, a couple of days not as wonderful.  Isn’t life delightful!!

Updates, updates.  Actually a lot has happened since I wrote last.  I conceded to my doctors wishes and let them make an appointment for me in Charlottesville.  My oncologist didn’t waste any time and I was already down to see the oncology pelvic surgeon last Weds, 9/17.  It was a very loooong day!  The weather was lovely, and Pete and I were blessed with easy travel (2-1/2 hours down and 2-1/2 hours home).  To make a long story short, I am scheduled to return for a colonoscopy next Thursday (9/25).  The surgeon wants it done at UVA so the oncology gastroenterological surgeon (I am not making up these doctor specialties – I promise) who he would call in if my bowl needs dissected and rebuilt, during the surgery, can have a look at the area.  He said it was to avoid any surprises (the entire thing is a big, ugly, surprise if you ask me).  They have already scheduled my surgery for October 17^th.

WARNING GROSS PART:   They tell me there is a mass (about 6.4 cm) in my fallopian tube.  It is probably not cancer but an area that infection can develop if/when I have chemo again.  They “think” it came from the diverticulitus infection (a chemo side effect) and they aren’t sure if part of the leaking area may be attached to the mass.  They will be doing a hysterectomy and if the colon is attached they may have to remove part of the colon and do a rebuild during the surgery.  Everyone was very nice, but 3 hours in an exam room is kind exhausting.  I should be in the hospital in Charlottesville 5-8 days and out of work 4-6 weeks.

As I told the surgeon and his resident (a young lady who seemed very knowledgeable, but could easily have passed for Jessica’s age – hands up, who’s feeling old!!)  I feel better than I have felt in six months!!  It seems like such a waste of energy to have surgery when my strength is returning and life seems so bright around me.  Many of you know who I work for at the Federal Govt and as you might imagine it is crazy busy right now.  I worked 40 hours last week and 36 hours this week (it would have been 44, but I had to take off Weds to go to UVA).  Most of my colleges are working 50-60 hour weeks.  The folks at UVA were thinking about doing the colonoscopy this Thursday (because they asked me if I’d eaten on Weds), but I was scheduled to be an auditor on an internal audit and I didn’t want to miss it. I know I’m crazy, but work is the one place I get so swept up in what I’m doing that I don’t feel like cancer is running my life.  Until my phone rings and the doctor’s office tracks me down for some appointment!!

Of course I also hate being so far away from everyone, especially Katie.  Pete and Mom and Dad plan on coming to Charlottesville with me (at least part of the time-in shifts), but not seeing Katie for at least a week will be hard on both of us.

The biopsy of the lump under my arm got moved to 9/26.  It isn’t really important to get done because “The surgery is the priority” to quote my oncologist.

I will be glad and rejoice in your love, for you saw my affliction and knew the anguish of my soul.  You have not handed me over to the enemy but have set my feet in a spacious place.  Psalm 31:7-8

Aren’t God’s words lovely?  Isn’t the Lord's words a great resource for our wandering, wondering, worrying, earthly minds?

Take care everyone!

Love,

Lynn

• Main
• archives
• Albums
• Links
• Admin
• Send us a story!
• Summary-Blog Directory

• Love, Faith, and Joy
• Merry Christmas
• Back On The Road To Chemo
• The Surgery Story
• Surgery Update
• Over the Mountain We Go
• Fall has Arrived
• To UVA We Go

• General [55]

• RSS 0.90
• RSS 1.0
• RSS 2.0
• Atom