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Tuesday, July 15, 2008

A Laughing Matter!!!!

Those who know me really well know that I'm not a laugher! I'm hardly a smiler! Sometimes my shoulders go up and down, and I appreciate a good joke and having a good time. But the belly-buster laughter that some people enjoy was just never my gift.

But today was different. I must say, this will sound so odd and so out of place and almost . . . . . disrespectful in some sense of the word, but today was one of the funniest days, and I laughed til I cried.

As you know, I was scared to death of this visit back to the surgeon who did the biopsy. Not that I didn't already know the diagnosis -- from the very first doctor visit two months go I was told that it was cancer and that the biopsy was a protocol procedure to tell them what KIND of cancer it was. My fear was that he would TOUCH the Black and Decker sized hole he made while doing the biopsy!!!! It was so big and so large and so tender that I just didn't want him pushing and poking around in there. But I DID want him to fix it -- just don't TOUCH it!

Was I in for a surprise!!!!!

My sister was my valiant hero today, marching in there with with with notebook and pen, ready to write down EVERYTHING this guy said about the diagnosis, treatment plan, surgery plan, etc., etc., etc. We were sure the mastectomy would be right around the corner, and that once he saw the mess he had made, he'd want to do it today, if not sooner! Juri was already trying to figure out if she could drive my car home if I had to go straight to the hospital -- it looked that bad to us.

OK!!!. . . . . I strip down to my waist, put that little scrap of paper on that is totally useless, as it covers NOTHING, and in comes Mr. Surgeon. He takes a look at the port side, does a little poke and says I'm good to go, that everything is working good (how would he know that?). Juri pipes up and asks what the stitches were for in my neck. (We had a "pinkie swear" agreement that we would not look at each other when she asked as we had already laughed til we cried over this.) You see, she had asked me about it the day of the surgery, and all I could tell her was that he walked by my recovery room bed and put his hand up to his neck and made a jesture that made me wonder if he had put the port in my NECK instead of my chest!!!!! I was too groggy and numb at the time to even care. But every time I mentioned to my sister that this was all I knew (and I did the hand gesture) she would just crack up!

So, now he explains that I have "very bad veins" in his Indian accent, and that he had to put it on that side. And instead of taking the chance of nicking my lung by digging for "the deep vein", he put it up in my neck. So I'm "good to go!"

And he thought, that's that, and was ready to leave the room.

Again, sister, with pen and notebook in hand, pipes up and says, "Dr., what actually was the diagnosis from the biospy?" And this Dr. Surgeon stretches out both hands and says, "It's CANCER! We already knew that -- it's CANCER!" It was such an emphatic answer that you didn't DARE ask another question. So she shut up!

And then I piped up and said, "How about this hole in my other breast?"

He said, "What hole?"

I said, "The hole that looks like you used a Black and Decker drill bit to do the biopsy!"

I showed him, and he said in his Indian accent, "That is not MY hole!" "And ma'am, I didn't use a drill, it was just a thin wire, and I did it way over here!" (pointing about 1 1/2 inches to the left of this hole!

Something about it was making everyone in the room laugh. It was just too funny. He wouldn't quit about this hole not being his and that I needed to get care for it somewhere else.

And he left the room and we were all done.

I got dressed, and it's a good thing my sister was silent because I just knew we would start and wouldn't be able to stop.

We got to the car, and I said, I KNOW NOTHING! I know no more than I did two months ago. And now I have a huge hole in my breast with no one to take care of it, no one wants to take ownership of it, and I get no surgery as they want to do chemo first. By cracky, I want this thing off!!!!

And so we decided to go shopping. Food shopping, that is. I thought it would help my diet a lot. I came home with a cheese danish, 3 cans of cheese dorito cruchies, tapioca pudding, potato chips and queso dip, and anything else I thought would make good, healthy eating!!!!

I'm sorry. I know I'm supposed to be somber, prayerful, scared, crying, etc. But today????? I'm just NOT! Everyone I have had to talk to today has laughed so hard with me, apologized for laughing, and has just gone along with it.

So the waiting begins. I'm waiting til tomorrow to get this hole checked out by a Dr. I was referred to. I'm waiting to hear from the Cancer center as to what the next step is in starting chemo.

Sorry I don't have more news for all of you who have been praying for me. But from what others have told me, this is not unusual or odd. It was for me, though. I'm just so thankful for this blog and a whole bunch of friends who will read this and wonder if I've fallen off the deep end. If I did, I'll pick myself up tomorrow and get on with business as usual I'm sure!

Thanks for listening tonight to my ranting and ravings!!!!

26 comments:

Wilma said...

Cora I wish I could help you with what you are going through. laughter is the best medicine. I do understand your laughter,tears and all. It will get better. You will get your answers and still have lots of questions and then some answers that you don't want or that won't make sense. My prayers and thoughts are with you.

Juri said...

Cor....oh no....I want to say something wonderful and spiritual, but reading your blog just started the laughter all over again! Me with my pen and pad....go figure!!!

Jur

papel1 said...

Aren't doctors frustating. It seems they never want to volunteer information. Its the waiting thats the hardest. Hopefully tomorrow you will let us know what they did about that hole!! I am trying to make a clever remark but am rather speechless.
Judy

Toni said...

Oh my goodness Cora!This is not what I was expecting when I wondered about how your day went today!!I`m glad your in good spirits about all of this!!I guess laughter is the best medicine!I`ll be waiting to here what happens tomorrow!!I`ll be praying!!

Julie said...

I checked your blog a couple of times today to see how you were. So glad you had a good laugh--sometimes I would rather laugh than cry. Keep holding on..the light will come. Julie

Lori said...

Seeing humor in times like these is crucial! It's cool to laugh!!!
Doctors - hmph - It's not my hole, it must be someone else's. Maybe it was that troll under the operating table. Oh Brother!!

Charity said...

I think you need to give your Dr. your cheese danish. He sounds way cranky. I bet his blood sugar is low....

Chariyt

Tammy ~ Country Girl at Home ~ said...

Cora,

I guess all I can say today is that laughter really IS medicine to the bones! Maybe the Lord just knew that's what you needed today. I really do hope you find out more answers....still praying for you here!

~ Tammy ~

Joyfulsister said...

Hi Cora!!

Is this the term where "Unspeakable Joy Full Of Glory" comes From.
*smile* Well Laughter is good medicine for the soul.
I was thinking of you yesterday and sent you a note about your award on my blog, you inspire me more then you know sister.
And what a great sister you have in Juri to be by your side. pen, tablet and all!!
Hugz Lorie

Renna said...

Just keep on laughing, Cora, and releasing those endorphins. Laughter does good like a medicine. If it were not true, it wouldn't be in God's Word! :-)

I'm so glad you posted. I was afraid you might be too tired, and yet I was so anxious to hear how your day went.

God bless your sister for being there with you, and for you!

Judy's Vintage Collections said...

Cora, you made me laugh too!
Hurry up and then wait is what I always say the medical world is about...I guess it now waiting to see what will happen next...
in prayer for you!
from the heart of Texas!
afriendtoyou!
Judy

2 Much Farm Primitives said...

You go girl. Nothin' helps better than a good ole laugh. Keep us posted, and we'll keep praying.

Love ya,
Vic

Something Nice and Pretty said...

I'm thinking and praying for you Cora.

*Rondell*

Anonymous said...

I just went to a dr. for a checkup and asked him about a few concerns I had and he was more interested in telling me about his new side business than in answering my questions, so I can relate to this. I came home and all evening kept saying "I didn't get any help at all!"

You are such an inspiration to me - I appreciate the way you are so candid and real in your posts and always uplifting! I really see the Lord shining in your life, and am keeping you in my prayers!

Blessings,
Nancy

Mel said...

Cora,

I do not go to the doctors often, only if I have to.(I think that is hereditary) A few years back, when my spouse was diagnosed with 2nd stage lung cancer (turned out to be a necratizing granuloma) encapsuled in one of his lymph nodes, we learned to arm ourselves with as much medical information as we possibly could; as you are figuring out, doctors these days will not tell you what you need to know if you don't ask the proper questions. We don't know what to ask lots of times, I mean we are not doctors, right? We will pray that God will bless you with a complete healing, medically, emotionally,physically, etc.etc. Meanwhile, you keep your chin up and laugh away... All will be okay!

nancy huggins said...

I am still praying for you Cora and would also like to wish you a VERY HAPPY BIRTHDAY...Thigs will start looking up soon..I just feel it in my bones :)
Laughter is a great medicine and is the music of the soul.
(((HUGS)))
Nancy

Anne Fannie said...

Hi Cora, I have been reading your blog lately and I have been afraid to say anything. I guess I didn't really know what to say. You have been in my thoughts and prayers. It is good to read that you are in good spirits and I have to tell you, you have the best support anyone could have, your sister Juri! I will continue to pray for you.
Love, Ann

Thia said...

"I know I'm supposed to be somber, prayerful, scared, crying, etc"

Says who? Laughter is good medicine. You laugh if it makes you feel better! The Bible says, there is a time for everything!

CathyJean said...

Oh, my Cora!
I can't even imagine the frustration. But the laughter is good medicine (Prov. 17:22), a gift from the Lord.
Praying for you ~
Hugz,
Cathy

a portland granny said...

Oh my! You are having quite a time physically right now. I'm so sorry. I must read more of your web site to get the rest of the story.

One thing I already know--you're my kind of girl! Loved your choice of "comfort" foods!!. I'm with you there!

Thanks for visiting my post. Where did you find my blog?

Trust your quest for the right medical help is forthcoming.

Blessings
Joan

Farmhouse Blessings said...

Cora, I'm glad that you were able to laugh in the face of adversity. But whether you're laughing or crying, I'll be right here for you. Praying and laughing and crying with you.

Love,
Lea

Deborah said...

I didn't actually start laughing until I read the list of great diet food you bought. That's my kind of diet!!

jane-of-ark said...

Hummmmmmmmm, Cora, it sounds like a new game show...."Who's Hole is it Anyway?" (giggle)

Mirth is God's medicine. Everybody ought to bathe in it. ~Henry Ward Beecher

Continuing to pray for you...

Love & Laughter~~~Jane

Katy said...

Oh my gosh....the dr seems sooo insensitive Cora...I am glad you were able to laugh...but it actually upsets me. I wish i were there to flick him in the nose!
I don't know exactly what I am talking about...but have you ever seen the commercial on tV for the "cancer treatment centers of america"? There, they are said to be thoughtful, considerate and helpful. They know exactly what they are doing...and won't act like you are a number.
I am sending you HUGE cyber hugs Cora!!! xoxo

Cookie said...

Just keep on laughing! keep on keeping on! Those darn Doc's! Anywho, Still praying! I do have to say I thought about you the other day when my breast starting hurting. What side did he make the hole on?? Maybe it's sympathy pain or maybe I should get to the Doctor!

Anonymous said...

I just wanted to drop in and say that I am keeping you in my prayers. How wonderful that you have your sister by your side. Wishing you peace and laugher.