May 27, 2009
Surgery Update
It is now one week after my surgery and Portland Firefly is just now beginning to feel like writing something. All of my other recent articles were written prior to my surgery for posting during this time frame.
OK…one week out. How am I feeling? I am actually feeling pretty good, all things considered. My Daughter is staying with me and is cooking for us and running errands. I am either in bed, napping, in the recliner, or trying to walk around and get a little exercise in the house or back yard. My energy level has been extrememy low since my last Chemo on April 30th. My blood counts were still very low prior to surgery and so my doctor ordered that I be given a very expensive injection to boost my bone marrow production. My energy level is still very low. I have only taken one shower since surgery and must take another one today. I still do not want to get dressed yet as I prefer the comfort of my loose fitting nighties. My taste buds are all messed up which is common for cancer patients as well as post-surgical patients. I am eating, but most food does not taste very good – even though it is healthy, good tasting food. I have been coughing up a lot and that is what the Doctor wants, but coughing wears one out and makes the abdominals hurt; time to take another nap.
OK. The surgery…. I’ll be able to to tell you more after we have the Post-op Doctors visit in a few days. What can I tell you about it today? The Doctor was very pleased with the 4 hour surgery and your prayers were answered in that I only had to have the DaVinci Robot inscisions –my doctor did not have to cut me from “stem-to-stern” to do what she had to do. I only have 6 inscisions, 5 of them are about 2 inches long, spaced across my abdomen, and they are healing. Where is the sixth one you ask? OK… it’s sort of personal… the sixth inscision is actually in my naval… there you have it. I don’t know why, but I am embarrassed by telling you that.
The Doctor told my Family that the surgery went well and she was pleased with what she found. We will get the pathology reports and her full evaluation at the upcoming post-op visit along with her suggestion on what treatment options to continue with at this time. I already know that my cancer by it’s very nature is considered a Stage III, because of the way these cancers are staged. Primary Peritoneal Cancer is always Stage III or Stage IV.
As far as a prognosis goes, my Doctor has always “gone for the cure” and that has been her attitude from the beginning. I am not sure that I have been able to embrace her optimisistic attitude — it is my life after all. Hopefully the post-op visit will give me more hope and the ability to be more on board with her ideals. There are moments when I have actually begun to think that I might REALLY have a chance to win this fight –but truthfully –they are only moments not even minutes. And so, I am looking forward to the post-op visit and to the information it will give us. Thank you for all your prayers. They are working.
