Update on my surgery - the Good News and the Bad

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Originally Posted by bcipam

The Good News: .

Doctor won't know if I need chemo until after he removes and has the mass biopsied. I meet with an oncologist next week. Surgeon say the chemo won't be all that bad. It won't make me lose my hair or anything.

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Pam- I will be thinking and praying for you.

My father has just finished his last round of chemo for his colon cancer. He did not lose any hair. I will be 100% honest he did have some unpleasant side effects: stomach cramps, some diahrrea and cold sensitivity for 3-5 days. When you think about what most people associate with chemo, none of this is bad. He drove me to my MS150 3 hours away the day after a treatment and even rode his Harley during treatment! He had a port put in his chest to deliver the medicine for 3 days. Of course you may not even need chemo and that would be great.

Pam, wishing you the most umcomplicated surgery possible, calm nerves, and speedy healing.

Having a positive feeling about your surgeon is a great benefit. Good luck and best wishes.

Good luck and hopes for a speedy recovery.

I'm really glad that you found a doctor that you can have confidence in and just as importantly can feel completely comfortable around.

My mother had the good fortune of having an oncologist that she really adored. He treated all his patients like long time friends and was always there for them and their families. I'm sure that the respect and good feelings she had about him had a lot to do with her being able to get through two battles with lymphoma. He was there again for her in her last days, even though it was not cancer-related, just to make sure she got the best care. He also wanted to reassure us that, because of his years of friendship with her, he was sure that the decisions we were making was what she would have wanted.

The whole experience taught me that the level of compassion and geniune concern for their patients a doctor has is no less important then what glowing certificates are hanging on their walls.

I have to say in this day and age of horrid nightmare stories about the medical system, I have been pleasantly surprised at how caring and concerned all my doctors have been. I have the upmost respect for the gastroen'logist and surgeon and actually can't wait to meet the oncologist. OK I mean I rather not be meeting an oncologist but so far I have met some interesting, caring people and I can imagine taken away from this some life-long relations. Lord knows I will be meeting with these 3 people from time and again for follow-up visits and testing. I guess I will have to have yearly colonoscopies for some time. The surgeon will have to monitor my post surgical care. And I guess depending on my treatment, I'll be paying regular visits to the oncologist.

You have to know, I dislike going to the doctor. I avoid it as much as possible but when forced, it's generally thrown in my face, not just one doctor but 3! Oh Joy!

Another update - spoke with my sister this morning and her work is going to let her travel to CA and work from here, at my house. So she'd be here with me through the whole ordeal. That's very comforting.

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Originally Posted by bcipam

Another update - spoke with my sister this morning and her work is going to let her travel to CA and work from here, at my house. So she'd be here with me through the whole ordeal. That's very comforting.

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Wonderful news!

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Originally Posted by bcipam

Another update - spoke with my sister this morning and her work is going to let her travel to CA and work from here, at my house. So she'd be here with me through the whole ordeal. That's very comforting.

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That is FABULOUS news Pam! I'm so glad you will have someone there w/you 24/7 for a while!

Trac'

Pam -- Best wishes! I'll be thinking of you.

You're in my thoughts Pam.

I'm sure all will be well with you. Just hang in there with all the ups and downs and keep that positive attitude, you will be fine!

The Doc sounds great. It's always good to have a doc you can talk to!

In the belief that a rich fantasy life is at least as good as chocolate, did you know that Sandy Duncan married her brain surgeon? I never forgot a line in an interview I read ages ago - Into my hospital room walked the most beautiful man I had ever seen in my life, and there I sat, as bald as a melon."
(head shaved before tumor surgery...)

And of course, you will be continuously in my prayers.

Hope it goes well and the healing goes fast.

You'll be in my prayers.

Pam, while I have not had any surgery like this myself, I know people both personally and professionally that have. The main advice I can give you is to listen to your doctors, and to your body. It really will take that long for you to recover, and you will be sore, but you are doing what you need to do.

Also, I am glad that you have found doctors that you can trust, that understand where you are coming from, and that you can relate to. That will also help smooth everything along. Best of luck to you, and please keep us updated on how you're doing. And let your sister baby you as much as she wants ;)

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Originally Posted by latelatebloomer

Sandy Duncan married her brain surgeon

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Sandy Duncan and her brain surgeon came to my high school shortly after her surgery. Don't remember why, but I do remember he was absolutely gorgeous to my teenage eyes. :D

Pam, glad to hear you're getting all your answers and moving forward. That's great that your sis is coming.

Sending you good thoughts down the 405.

good luck pam. happy thoughts and quick healing coming your way. keep us updated.

glad your sister can come out and be with you. if you need anything, let us know.