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Monday, January 12, 2009

It's Over!!!!

I can't believe I didn't post anything just before surgery to let you all know exactly when, etc!!!!! I guess my thoughts were just flying from one direction to another. I'm just glad it's all over. Thank you, Lea, and Juri, my sister, for taking up the slack and at least reporting that I'm still alive and kicking!

I panicked when no one called me Tuesday night to tell me what time I was supposed to be there Wednesday morning. They specifically told me that someone would call with the surgery schedule at about 4:30 on Tuesday. By 6:30, no one had called, everything was shut down at the hospital, etc., etc. Finally, sometime after 7:00, Claudia, with a VERY New York accent, called and told me to be there no later than 6:00 am. And you know, of course, I laid in bed waiting for that alarm to go off, as I had to shower with the anti bacterial soap first.

So off we went --- my trusty sister and my brother in law driver took me to door D and in we went. Why is it NOTHING is ever normal for us???? We end up with raised eye brows and supressed giggles all the time. This tiny, little gal with the softest voice ever finally began calling out some names, including mine. Juri hugged me good-by as she was not allowed to come. And off we went down the hall.

Meanwhile, my sister is wondering if that is where they wait for the duration. She went to the window and asked the lady this question. And she got scolded with, "The lady TOLD you she would come back for family later!!!!" Juri said, no she didn't! The lady said, Yes, she did!!!!! Soon, another person asked this same lady the same question, with the same responses!

I was taken to a little room and told to strip and put on a hospital gown. A blood pressure cuff was put on me, and wouldn't you know, my blood pressure was sky high. The nurse kept taking it, but it just stayed up there. My biggest worry for weeks was the bathroom issue, so with every urge, I hopped out of the bed and ran for the bathroom. Of course, being me, I didn't read the sign on the door and walked in on a poor old man. There were no locks on the door!

Soon, my sister arrived and we stared at each other for a while. We were out of things to talk about. Then, it was my turn to go. We said goodby again, and I was wheeled to the pre-op room. This group of nurses, etc., were a VERY happy group. They took my BP again, and it was still high. The nurse said she was going to give me some "La La Land Juice" and did I want to go to Hawaii or the Carribian. I said Hawaii! My Surgeon came in, began writing with a magic marker on my arm, and then had an argument with the nurse who said she couldn't read his initials he had just scribbled on me. So he redid them again. By this time, it all looked like a cultish tatoo. Soon, I was wheeled into the operating room. Another tiny, little old lady said, "Hello, I'm Molly, and I'll be withouth throughout this whole thing!." She began to push on my neck, but in a few seconds, I was gone off to Hawaii, I guess, because that was the last I remembered. . . . until. . . .

The recovery room!!!! Someone was yelling my name. I woke up screaming in pain. Someone behind me asked how bad the pain was on a scale of 1 to 10. I yelled 20!!!!!
In a few seconds, I was out again, then woke up painless in my room.

My sister came in, said all went well, and I think I went back to sleep. Next thing I knew, a tray full of different liquids was in front of me. Broth, sherbet, orange juice, tea, etc., etc. I was thirsty, so managed some of that. A little later, they came with pain pills. I took those, and went back to sleep. When I woke up, I was dizzy and HOT! Off came the blankets. Then cold. On with the blankets!

It was all down hill after that. The pain pills did NOT agree with me, and I was getting sick to my stomach as Thursday came on. Trouble is, I had already seen my surgeon and told him I was fine and wanted to go home, and he signed the discharge papers. And this crazy nurse kept wanting me to eat. Have you ever been sick as a dog and someone stick rubber chicken and spinach souffle under your nose????? NOT a good thing! And I'm not a good thrower upper! Lots of noise, moaning, groaning, etc. You would think an elephant was dying in the room!

Finally, I had had enough, struggled to get my clothing on, and a very irritated nurse got a guy with a wheel chair to wheel me out. What a picture! There I was with my puke bucket as he wheeled me down to the car. But I just wanted home, my own bed, and let me die in peace without the smell of chicken and spinach in my nose!

I did much better at home!

The only thing that was a little of a disappointment was the findings of the surgeon. Under my arm, he found a mass that he said was "most assuredly" cancerous, but it had entangled itself around the nerve to the shoulder and he had to cut the nerve to get it out. So I guess I will have trouble with the shoulder the rest of my life. I am thankful he found it and got it out, though.

So I have been home since Thursday afternoon. First few days were difficult, as I felt dizzy, sore, and struggled with things like. . . how to get up and down off the toilet, how to get in and out of bed, how to reach for stuff when you are strapped up in an ace bandage, etc.

Today is the best so far. In fact, it's noon, and I haven't had a pain pill since about 4:00 am. I've done some laundry, washed myself up, emptied drains, walked outside with Buster, and tried to do some normal stuff. I'm just glad each day seems to be a little better than the one before.

The surgeon wanted to see me in a week after the surgery, but today was the only day he was seeing patients in the office, so I'm going to somehow try to get there. I'd rather be checked out early and know everything looks ok than wait and have something go wrong. My trusty sister is going with me again! Ya just gotta love her, don't ya???!!!!!

Thanks to all of you for all your prayers! I think I was thinking of all of you just before I conked out for surgery. I had such a thankful heart for all of you! Who would have known a year ago when I started blogging that all of this was in store for me. . . . and that all of YOU would be there to support and pray for me???? God is so Good!!!!!

26 comments:

Leaon Mary said...

Oh SWEET CORA....
Tears are filling my eyes, reading what you endured... but YOU ENDURED!!!! I'm so thankful CORA... and just PRAISE GOD!!!! I'm oh so thankful!!! To read that you're taking Buster out, and managing to get around... I'm just praising the Lord, Praising the Lord!
So happy the surgeon found thee other place .... and got it OUT!
HOW ABOUT A TOAST; CLANKING OUR GLASSES OF KOOLAID TO "HAPPY NEW YEAR CORA!!!!!!!!!!!!" HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! HERE'S TO LOOKIN FORWARD...!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
SMOOCHY HOLYKISSES,
Lea

Gone said...

Cora...I'm so thankful for all the people praying for you...and the courage God gave you to endure, dear!

We'll continue praying for you and keeping you on our PRAYER LIST on our blog.

~Blessings,
Jan

Julie said...

Yea!! You did it, and you even mangage to find humor in it all. I hope you continue to improve day by day. Take care--Julie

tam said...

Cora-I am so glad it is behind you now! And you have such a great attitude about it too-good for you! I hope you continue to recover quickly-just don't over do it! ~Smiles~Tam!

Ruthie said...

Oh, it's so good to hear from you and know you're doing OK. From now on, it should get better.
Take care and thanks to your sis for being there for you.
Continue to pray for you and your recovery.
Hugs.♥
Ruthie

Toni said...

Cora,
I`m so thankful to God that everything went well and you are home!!I`ll keep you in my prayers for a quick and painless FULL recovery!!
Love and blessings,Toni

Linda - Behind My Red Door said...

OH Cora it was just so wonderful to see your blog updated on my blog roll! I am so glad this step is OVER! I hope each day gets better and better and the trouble with your shoulder isn't as bad as predicted.

Be good to yourself. You have been through a lot. And tell that sister of yours that I think she is just the best! I am so glad you have each other!!

lots of hugs, Linda

Primitives By The Light of The Moon said...

Cora~ My thoughts and prayers have been with you and I'm glad the hardest part is over. I'll keep praying that with each day you'll continue to feel better!
Hugs,
Ginger

Kit said...

God Bless You! Get Better Sweetheat and know our prayers are with you. You are a trooper and God is watching over you. Kathy

Deb said...

Hi Cora! Indeed! Indeed! God is Good! Don't you just LOVE HIM! I DO! And I'm so thankful to Him that He's brought you all this way and back to us! I loved your story about the goings on before the surgery! It's great how you can be humorous and thankful through it all. I'm so glad you're feeling better now and I pray that you will continue until you're BACK to your old self again! PRAISE GOD! Deb

Joyfulsister said...

Cora,
Don't you remember!!! we had a beautiful Hawaiian dinner when you came to Hawaii. It was during the virgin Pina colada you left back to your hospital room lol.
( Thanks for choosing Hawaii *smile* I'm glad everything went well, sorry you woke up in pain my sisath (((((Hugz)))). and I just want to give a shout to Juri,
Yay Juri, you rock girlfriend!!
Take care of yourself Cora, and rest rest rest and please know I continue to pray for you each day.

Luv Ya Lorie

Farmhouse Blessings said...

Dearest Cora,
It is soooooo good to know that you're at the other end of this connection. I have been praying and singing "Sheltered in the Arms of God" for you often since the morning of your surgery. So glad the surgery is behind you and now its just time to "just do the next thing" ... AFTER you let yourself get better. What's this about doing laundry????? Oh you should just see the look I'm giving you! LOL

Love you a bunch and so glad that today was better,
hugs to you and Juri,
Lea

Debra said...

God bless you...I love you!
Keep looking up-it's gonna get better, I know it!
Give Buster a hug for me. Did you see the duck email I sent you?
Love, Debra

Sherri said...

Man this brings back memories of what my sister Jerri went through. I pray you have a better and sweeter time than she did. You are in my thoughts and prayers if there is anything I can do please ASK! Blessings...

Living Life with a Joyful Heart said...

Cora, it so good to hear from you, that's good that your up and doing things, but don't over do it to much. I think we are so eager to be feeling better that we can tend to do to much, remember one day at a time one minute at a time.
take care of yourself

Hugs,
Mary

Anonymous said...

I know you're getting better when you can blog again! The light is growing at the end of the tunnel...been quite a journey, hasn't it? The Lord in His mercy has seen you through and we will continue to hold you up in prayer for a full recovery...rest in Him dear sister..God bless and keep you

papel1 said...

I was so glad to see you writing in your blog. Hope your appt. goes well. I am glad its over.
Judy

basketsnprims said...

Cora, I'm so glad to see you blogging and that today was a better day for you. I pray each day you feel better & better. God bless you!

Pam

Judy's Vintage Collections said...

Dear Cora, I too am so glad that is now behind you...I have kept you in my prayers and woke up praying for you that morning...I was so thankful that your sweet and loving sister let us know how you were that day...It too is good to hear your humor...you put a smile on my face...so thankful that your surgeon was able to get it all out...Like you said, God is good! I chreish the artwork of your I have hanging in my living room...and it give me great joy to pray for you....the church I go to knows you very well too...You are well love as we all surround you with our prayers from across the US and other country too...
Be safe in Jesus is my prayer...
From the heart of Texas...
A BIG HUG!
Judy

Anonymous said...

I'm keeping my fingers crossed for a speedy recovery!

You've shown much grace throughout all of this.

•♦•©The Olde Weeping Cedar •♦• said...

Hi Cora-
oh- What a wonderful post to read...So good to 'see' ya back!
Prayers have been goin up and they will continue.
I'm glad each day is better than the one before

(((HUGS)))
-Kath

Angela said...

You done good honey!! So glad this is over for you!!!!!!!! We are praying still.

Valley Primitives Gift Shoppe said...

I am so glad to hear that is behind you now! I will continue to pray for a steady and full recovery for you and for the strength to get through each day!
Kim

Kay-The Rustic Cottage said...

I am just so excited to read a post from you!! Praise God that all went well. Continuing to pray that you heal quickly and remain pain free!!

*Linda Pinda* said...

Gentle {{{Hugs}}}
and much thanksgiving to our Lord who is keeping you in His tender care.

From the East to the West, the North to the South, From Heaven to Earth you are loved. May this part of your journey be over soon, and the rest of your healthy life continue to serve as a source of courage and faith to all those who will benefit by your experiences.

Much Love & Prayers... *Linda* & family:)

Stacy Lambert said...

Cora,
I haven't check in for a while. I am so glad everything went well with you. I'm sorry you got so sick and I wish I could be there to help with all of the things you need to do around the house. I will be having surgery in the near future. Early April. Thanks for all of the info/advice. I really need it. Good luck with your recovery. Take it easy. God bless you. You are a very strong and inspirational woman.
Hugs,
Stacy