I’m Not Half the Woman I Used to Be

The month of July has pretty much been swallowed up with the drama of having an ovafallopandectomy. I guess that’s what you would call it, although the spell checker seems to be bothered by that word. Whatever. Anyway, I started being a little bit annoyed by a lump (I named it Jim) in my lower left pelvis some time in June so managed to make a doctor’s appointment for the first week of July to see what it was. After a CT scan, it was diagnosed as a large complex ovarian cyst. Whoopee!! I was then referred to a gynecological oncologist, who examined me and determined that surgical removal of the cyst would be the best option, at which time it would be tested for cancer, etc. I went in for surgery on July 24 (Pioneer Day), and woke up to discover that I have endometriosis (which is what caused the trouble in the first place) (hmmm . . . spell checker doesn’t like that word either, even though I know I didn’t make that one up!) and one fewer ovary and fallopian tube. Pesky redundant organs! Let’s get rid of ‘em all! No cancer, though (thank goodness!). I spent two nights in the hospital hooked up to (at one count) seven different tubes, which was definitely a record for me, and one experience I can’t recommend generally, although it was certainly what I needed at the time. So for the past week, I’ve been attempting to manage the pain, catching up on my sleeping and reading, and generally getting on my mom’s nerves with my demands for food and kitty care and yard work, etc. (She was kind enough to fly out for a couple of weeks to take care of me; what would I do without her?!) I think eventually I will be able to quit taking drugs several times a day, perhaps walk more than a few feet before collapsing in exhaustion and doubling over in pain, and shower on a more frequent basis and without it being the most strenuous part of my day. I will cling to the memories of having done so most of my life until then. And also to the fantastic friends and family I have, who have lavished me with cards, gifts, flowers, calls, visits, and most importantly, prayers. Thank you for your love and support! I am truly blessed. Especially now that Heather has learned to keep off the owie part of my body in her never-ending quest for Quality Lap Time. Yea!

Monday, July 30, 2007