(I came home from the hospital yesterday (1-22-11). I am very happy to be home.)
Eleven Things I Learned in the Hospital
1. God is there. I felt peaceful as I went to surgery. Chaplain Chuck Barsamian, who is in our small group Bible study, came to the surgery prep area to pray with me. I'm not sure a prayer has ever meant so much to me. He knelt by my bed, held my hand, and "talked to the Lord" about my situation. Even though He (the Lord) already knew, we have been told to ask and we will receive. I know He heard that prayer and I'm so thankful. I appreciated Chuck's prayer that morning and his subsequent visits and prayer so much!
2. Twenty-one and a half years ago (but, who's counting?) when Steve said, "in sickness and in health", he really meant it. He stayed with me every night. He helped me in and out of bed innumerable times. He walked the halls with me at all hours. He only left during the day when he could "tag team" with Gary (my brother) and Daddy. He was and is a wonderful caregiver and I'm so thankful and blessed.
3. Gary and Daddy were there too. Gary worked from the hospital every day. Daddy was there to offer moral support - which he does best! Most anytime the nurses came in my room during the day, there were 3 men there. Gary suggested we might do a movie, "3 Men and a Lady". Having Gary around after abdominal surgery is not a good thing. It is not a good time to "split a gut" laughing - which is what I usually do when I'm with him. Anyway, we haven't decided for sure if we'll follow through on the movie idea. I might want to be able to move around a bit better before we debut!!
4. A scar that looks like it's a foot long when it is seen in the hospital is really only 9" long!
5. This kind of surgery for me takes 2-2.5 hours with a 1 hour recovery - shorter than the expected time. Thanks to everyone's prayers.
6. I do not thrive on a liquid diet.
7. Ibuprofen on an empty stomach after surgery is a very bad thing.....
8. Friends who visit or call on the phone make the hospital stay much more palatable.
9. The Dr. doesn't expect any surprises with the pathology report; however, if there are, the follow-up treatment would still be the same.
10. I do not like those boots on my feet that inflate and deflate.
11. After this type of surgery it is part of the healing process to retain fluid in the abdomen - the fluid bathes the area that has been injured. So I can tell you I do not look "trim! Steve was looking at me 2 days after surgery and said, "I don't think she got all of your fatty apron!" I really wish he didn't make me laugh, especially after this surgery. But, of course, he wants his money back!! :-)
I learned more things but you don't want to hear about those! :-) I was repeatedly thankful for my situation as I saw so many people with much more serious health issues, in lots more misery than I was in (is that good grammar?) I am thankful for good health care, thankful for competent doctors, thankful for friends who care, thankful for my family, thankful for you and your prayers....just thankful in general.
The next step is an appointment with the oncologist in 2 weeks. At that time he will work with my gyn/oncologist and set the time for chemo to begin. The plan is to begin in 3 weeks. That will be determined by how quickly I recover from my latest adventure.
Thanks again for your interest and support. It means more than you'll know. I'll be spending the next 3 weeks trying to do what the Dr. said to do to recuperate. After that I'll move to the next phase and hopefully the last phase of this treatment.
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