Home From the Hospital!

The hospital wifi didn't work too well, so it's been four days since my last post. A lot has happened since then. I'll try to fit it all in.

In a nutshell,

1. The surgery went well. According to Dr. Berrey, "the margins looked good."
2. I have a HUGE dent in my leg - picture to come later.
3. The mass is malignant. The tumor is Giant Cell Tumor of the Tendon Sheaths (GCTTS). Benign masses of this type are extremely common, whereas malignant masses of this type are extremely rare.
4. The mass is in lab being confirmed. It appears to be Stage 2.
5. Radiology is definite. Chemo is not useful for this cancer.
6. If it metastasizes, it typically goes to the lungs first.
7. Chest xrays and CT scans will be a regular part of my life from here on out.
8. Clean hair and bod are very difficult when you absolutely cannot get an entire leg wet.
9. Shands Hospital is tops in my book. Ortho took very good care of me.

When the GP first called me and told me the mass appeared to be cancer, I freaked out. Who wouldn't? Eight days later, the mass it out. It took five of those days for me to actually calm down to the point that I could function and approach this positively. Three more days for me to get to a point of acceptance for surgery. Then, when Dr. Berrey confirmed it is cancer, I think I took it very well. It's like. Now we know, what next? What matters to me now is that I do all I can to defeat this cancer and ensure it does not recur. So, Monday I'll be scheduling the first of I don't know how many radiology appointments.

My family keeps asking me, how long for this, how many treatments for that. When I ask Dr. Berrey, he says "as long as it takes." And that should be the proper approach.  I need however many treatments as are needed. What is important is that I approach this new event in my life in a positive manner and that I put God in His proper place in my life.

So much has been crazy in my life the last four years. I have not been happy. And now it is time to stop the pity party. It is time to accept my life as it is and to enjoy it. Warts and all.

And now for the more humorous parts of the last four days.

So, I go into pre-op and the nurse is trying to find a vein for the IV while the Anesthesiologist is talking to me, asking questions, etc. The contrast MRI the week before was given in my left hand, but not before the tech blew a vein. The pre-op nurse? Trying to get an IV in the same hand! Naturally, she fails...after she hits the nerve the tech hit last week. So, now she's looking at the right hand. Aaand she starts poking, while the Anesth. is getting my BP and asking me questions. I'm getting a bit light-headed and clammy and whiten up, so they get my head down STAT. The Anesth looks at the BP and nearly chokes. In a voice half an octave higher than before, she asks me if I want to know my BP. I'm like - no way. And just then, the pre-op nurse gets the IV in. Finally!!! Fifteen minutes later, the Anesth tells me that while they were getting the IV in and taking my BP it was 173/123. WHOA!!! But then everyone says - "That's when they were sticking you!"

And later that night, my night nurse, Tony, tells me I've got to pee by 11:00 PM (12 hours after surgery began). So I drink. And drink. And drink. And drink. But nothing. Not one drop comes out. 10:00. 10:30. 10:45. 11:00. 11:15. 11:30. And Tony puts a saline drip on me. Around 1:00 AM Niagara Falls comes a-knocking. And 2:00 AM. And 3:30 AM. And 5:30 AM. Tony and I were best buds that night!

Mom and Dad are in town now. They'll be staying for a couple weeks, and I really appreciate that. I need them to help me and Rufus and the kids and to be there when I visit Radiology.

Many thanks for the prayers, positive thoughts, everything. More to come tomorrow!