Update on my surgery - the Good News and the Bad

[bcipam]

The Good News: I just met with the surgeon. I'M IN LOVE!! He's wonderful. He patiently explained everything to me and answered all my questions. We chatted for almost an hour. He's very personable (he was born just 3 dys before me - an Aquarian - no wonder he's cool!), fun and sassy. We got along great. And the biggest plus - he rides!!!! How cool is that? As a fellow cyclist he understand my need to get back to the bike as soon as possible.

The Bad News: Thankfully he was so patient. In my head this surgery was no big deal. I thought it was would be a simple "snip" and I would be out of there. Not so. The location of the tumor is a problem. It's very low in the colon very near the pubic bones so he needs to be very careful how he moves around in there. Because of the location, he needs to take out not only the mass and the surrounding colon but all the blood vessels, lymph nodes nearby plus my ovaries (which I don't use anymore anyway). For him this is all routine but he wanted me to understand its still a very serious operation with some risk. He doesn't think it will happen but there is a potential for a colostomy (please God no!). He will have to open me up so I'll have like a cesarian incision.

I was hoping to be home in a couple of days. He said hospital stay will most likely be 3 - 6 days. They can't let me go home until everything is functioning normally. After fasting 2 days before he operation and only being allowed broth and soft foods after, I should lose some weight. Guess I shouldn't complain.

Once I get home doctor wants me to take it easy. No lifting anything over 20 lbs. No physical activity although if I'm doing well, and have no problems, he will allow me to use an exercise bicycle after 4 weeks. No actual riding for at least 6 - 8 but considering it could have been worse. At least before the end of the year I'll be riding again.

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.

Anyway - I'm sortof up and down right now. Surgeon's office is right next to Mission Hospital (where I'll have the surgery) and the Mission Viejo Mall. Before going back to work I had to stop in the Mall. I bought myself a new blouse and dropped into See's Candies for a Bordeaux Bar. Mmmmmmmm yummy. Chocolate is my friend!

[salsabike]

Pam, is there a surgery date yet? And, um...I bet some of us would happily send you chocolate, and books. Would you be willing, or rather we didn't? Either way's OK.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Pam,
The best thing is that you seem to have a doctor you can trust- that makes all the difference! I just KNOW everything will be ok once you have this removed.
Good Healing Lucky Vibes headed your way!....

[KnottedYet]

yeah, let us know if you would like goodies in the mail while you're in the hospital and while you're home afterwards!

[Bikingmomof3]

Please let us know when the surgery date is and if you are comfortable with the idea, I would imagine several of us would enjoy pampering you after your surgery. You are in my continued prayers.

[bcipam]

Surgeon's office is scheduling the surgery - most likely Sept 27, 28 or 29th. No chocolates please. Just your best wishes and prayers. I'm hoping to lose some wright out of this ordeal. I was teasing the doctor about doing alittle liposuction while he was mucking about or at least remove all the fat down there. Have books saved up and ready to go. Just looking forward to being home able to cruise TE all day!

[Lise]

Best wishes. I know you have loving friends and family who will help you through this. I wish we could distill out the healing properties of chocolate, and just send that!

It *is* major surgery. One thing I suggest is looking into some pre-surgery CDs. Dr. Andrew Weil does a lot with music and healing. I know many CDs are out there to help people prepare for surgery and healing. Some of them are even for listening to during surgery. You are unconscious, but you still take in stimuli.

We'll be keeping you in our thoughts.

Lise

[bcipam]

Lise:

I friend of mine has those CDs and is loaning them to me. I had no idea such a thing existed. Although ont he outside I appear calm, inside I'm mush and short nerve ends. Any little thing helps!!!!

[Aggie_Ama]

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.

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.

[DebW]

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

[Pedal Wench]

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

[SJCzar]

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.

[bcipam]

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.

[tprevost]

Hi Ladies,

In attempting to send Pam flowers I did find out that she's gotten through surgery and will be put into a room later today. The good news is that she is not going into an ICU room so she must be handling everything well. I will probably find out more tomorrow but please keep sending good thoughs and prayers her way!!!

Tracy

[Blueberry]

Tracy-

Thanks for the update! I'll keep my fingers crossed

Carrie Anne