Post Op

I realize it's been awhile since I posted...too long.  Yes I've recovered from surgery, thank you for all the thoughts and prayers. Surprisingly, it wasn't as bad as I anticipated. The worst parts were the first week, truly.  Between the gas they pumped into my body, and not really being able to sleep well...those were the worst.  However, full recovery did take quite some time. 

I could give you the nitty gritty of the surgery, what they found, etc.  But instead, I'll say that it wasn't cancer (praise the Lord) and that my community really came around me in amazing ways!  Here's the rundown of the ways that God blessed me! 

My friend Mallory took me to the hospital the morning of, and stayed with me all day and all night.  Two of my cohort members, Christa and Tiffany visited in the hospital that night.  Then Christy Correll-Hughes met me that morning, walked the halls with me trying to get the gas from surgery out from my shoulder blades (yeah, it's painful and odd), when I was released drove me home VERY carefully (you feel every bump and thump), and made sure I was set until Sarah came over.  Sarah Mudd, friend from Baylor who now lives in South Carolina drove down and spent the weekend with me!  Friends then brought me food every evening.  My cohort and advisor signed up for meals (sometimes twice a day).  The love and care I was shown was humbling.  I am blessed and so grateful! 

My sister joked that I was an office supply store after surgery.  At first I was stapled, then after they were removed it was replaced with glue and tape.  Here's a picture below of my staples.

Pre-Op Regimen

At noon today I began the pre-op regimen...I'm not sure what stinks more, the thought of surgery & recovery or all the pre-op stuff they're making me do (blood work, flushing my system, etc).

Kidding, I realize surgery will be worse, but still today's regimen is not pleasant either.

Grandpa's Surgery

Thank you to those of you who have asked and been praying for my family. I just spoke with my grandparents and my grandpa's surgery is scheduled for this Tuesday, August 24th at 8am (pst).

The surgery will go as follows:

They'll open him up and use a camera to survey the cancerous tumor.

If they find other places where the cancer has spread, they'll close him up and make him comfortable until he leaves this earth.

If they only find the one cancerous tumor (which is what they're expecting to find) then they'll remove it, do some other work, and then patch him up.

My grandparents are in good spirits and trust that God will use whatever outcome for his glory. My grandpa finds every opportunity to share his story of God's love; this is just another opportunity to do that.

I'm obviously praying it's just a cancerous tumor, that it can be removed with ease, for a quick recovery, and to restore my grandpa to full health.

I (and my family) would appreciate your prayers. Thank you.

post surgery!

i survived! today is Thursday, January 24th and I am happy to say that I am done with surgery! although I was becoming quite fond of my lump, I'm glad it's gone and that the surgery is behind me.  I was admitted to the hospital on Tuesday morning at 5:45am...wowzer!  the woman who checked me in was a hoot.  Between her jacket, beanie babies, mugs, and music...all in dedication to Elvis, I felt as though I was checking into a museum.  After taking all my information she gave me an identification armband...standard for any hospital, however, the next item she gave me was a little less orthodox....a tracking device.  Yep, that's right.  They scanned the tracking device and then placed it too around my wrist.  I was told this was so they can monitor where I am at any given time.  Maybe they know I'm a chicken and thought I'd try to run away :)  From there I was went up to out patient surgery and was checked into room 223...then the waiting began.  At 6:30am a nurse came into let me know what would be happening.  She said around 7:30 someone would take me to the prep room, from there they would give me an IV and get me ready for surgery.  Before then, I had to slip into a gown, and remove all my jewelry.  This was harder than I thought.  About three years ago I had my cartilage pierced and until the 22nd of January, had never removed the earring.  Well, they wouldn't wheel me off until I removed it.  Two nurses, another random, and Karen Hall (the hall director who went with me) all attempted to help get it out...finally Karen succeeded and I was off to surgery!  Arriving in the 'recovery room' (pre-op) I waited again.  Soon a nurse and the anesthesiologist were by my bedside preparing to stick me with all sorts of needles.  The nurse looked at all my veins attempting to find the best one.  Usually having good veins, I didn't see this as a problem.  However, when they ask you not to eat or drink prior to surgery, apparently your veins shrink.  So the first attempt was at my wrist.  She first did a local anesthetic (which hurt), but then the actual IV line didn't because the site was numb.  Unfortunately, she couldn't get the IV line to float into the vein, so she had to remove it and try again in another location.  The second one was successful!  WOOHOO!  One of the anesthesiologists then came over and spoke to me about the process and asked about my nervousness.  I said I was a bit nervous and he asked if I wanted a shot of tequila.  Well...whatever he put in my IV was fabulous.  I didn't have a care in the world!  I just wish they could have given me whatever it was in pill format the night before! :)  Anyway...soon I was wheeled off to the surgery room.  From there the doctors moved me onto another table (which was freezing cold) and placed a mask on me.  The anesthesiologist was talking to me about this, that, and the other, then had me raise my right arm (which I had to think about for a bit)...I remember my arm being up for a bit and then I remember slowly waking up in the recovery room.  The nurse said my vitals were good and that they'd be moving me back to the normal room.  At this point I was stiff but not in any pain.  Shortly after returning to the room, the pain hit.  My throat was sore and I felt as though it needed to be cleared, and my neck was in more pain when I would cough.  The nurse came in about an hour later, had me take some crackers and said when I finished them I could get some vicodin...I ate those crackers like no other!  :)  She said the vicodin should make me comfortable and that I should have felt the effects in 20 minutes.  Well, 35 minutes later, I was still in pain, so another vicodin was issued on the hour.  Well... about 2 hours later...finally some relief.  The vicodin kicked in!  At that point, the nurses let me know that after I could accomplish a few easy tasks (peeing on my own and keeping liquids down), they could release me.  I was surprised!  It sounded as though I'd be going home shortly!  WOOHOO!  So about 3pm, I was on my way home!  In and out! :)  I wish I could say this meant that I was feeling fantastic, but I wasn't...but at least I was on my way home!  

today's now Friday and I'm in little to no pain.  However, I am still sore and I fatigue easily.  There are other fun stories related to this experience and I'll have to share them later...cause I'm out for now... nap time! :) 

Many of you know, but for those of you who don’t…I went to the doctor last Tuesday (September 18th) for a follow up on my toe that I had fractured back in May. At that visit, he noticed a mass on my thyroid (good catch). So I had some blood work done (my favorite thing) and my thyroid numbers were normal (.09, normal numbers are .03-5.1, but on the lower side (lower levels mean overactive thyroid).

From there they did an ultrasound (on Monday, September 24th) to determine whether or not the mass was fluid filled or solid. During the visit, it was noted that the mass looked to be a liquid filled cyst with minor debris within the cyst (ucka!). However, the test results were sent to my doctor and radiologist in order to determine the next course of action.

Which brings me to today…after much waiting I spoke with one of the nurses at my doctors office. She said that the radiologist and Dr. Blattman both agreed that I should have a biopsy preformed on the cyst. A referral specialist is suppose to call me within 72 hours in order to schedule a FNA (fine needle aspiration) test in order to determine if the cyst is benign (which Dr. Blattman said it is a good chance of being). With that said, I now get to wait.

For those of you who know me well, this experience encompasses the two things in life I love the most: waiting and needles! Overall, I’m holding it together. I have truly had a peace about this situation and I pray I will continue to have the same peace as I go through more waiting and more tests. I know that God is in control and that he holds me in his hands (Col 1:17).

More randomness:
Before this academic year began Matthew 7:7 and a Bethany Dillon song, ‘Hallelujah’ were continually brought to my attention. Matthew 7:7 says, ‘Ask and it will be given to you, seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened.’ The chorus to Bethany Dillon’s song is:

Hallelujah, hallelujah, whatever’s in front of me, help me to sing hallelujah
Hallelujah, hallelujah, whatever’s in front of me, I choose to sing hallelujah

Initially, I figured this verse and song had to do with the next steps of my life (and they probably do as well), however, they also have such practical and immediate purposes.
So why tell you all this? In part because I figured you would like to know, and in part so that you can join me in prayer as I continue through this ‘experience’. I do covet your prayers at this time! Thanks!

P.s. Anyone else think I may be allergic to Texas? :)