Surgery

Posted by chrissy

Sunday 12/28/08

It’s official…surgery is really happening and it’s tomorrow afternoon. AHHHH!!!

I’m definitely not ready, but really when are you ever ready for anything that happens in your life. I’m feeling very anxious and worried. More about being put under rather than the surgery itself, probably because I trust my doctors and know they’ll do whatever they have to do to get everything done. I’m freaking out because I have to go under and I’ve never been put under, seeing how this is my first ever surgery. The worst part is that felling that I won’t wake up, so I’ll need to say goodbye before I go into surgery just in case. I absolutely hate that and can barely bring myself to think of it. It’s overwhelming to have that feeling and then to have to go through with it. I feel a bit overwhelmed with all the emotions that I have going on tonight and I have absolutely no way to get them all out, both because I don’t want to burden anyone else with this and I don’t necessarily know what to even call some of these emotions. Have you ever had that happen before??? Know that you are experiencing all theses emotions and there are a few that you don’t quite know how to label it or how to even explain it. I have to admit that this is hard. I am completely at the will of this disease and I have no control over anything anymore. For those of you that know me, know that thats not a very easy thing for me to deal with. I am one of those people who needs to have control over as much as possible and have a plan/list for everything I do. This has been one of the hardest things about this whole process and it’s been a lot of adjusting and learning for me. Oh well, this whole process has been so hard and difficult, but has a kind of blessing in that I’ve learned so much about myself and those around me. I now know who I truly am, just how strong I am, how strong my family and friends are, and who I can truly count on to be there for me no matter what. It’s been tough having to let go those that don’t show interest or concern for me during this time, but its the best thing I can do for myself. I need to be surrounded by true and honest love and support right now, those that want to causally give support or be there when it’s convenient for them are people that I dont’ want in my life anymore. This whole process had truly shown me who my true friends are, which is definitely a blessing. Anyway, enough rambling…I should try to get some sleep.  (We’ll see how that goes!?!)

Wish me luck!!!!! I’ll post as soon as I’m up to it and can do it.

Thanks for to all of you for all your support, you’ll never know just how much it means to me and my family. I am so blessed have family and friends like all of you.

 

Monday 1/5/09

I’m up and moving around, with the help of Bob and a walker. Here are all the details of whats happened over the past week:

Surgery was at 1pm on Mon (12/29). The last thing I remember is saying goodbye to my family and then I woke up in recovery. Needless to say I didn’t feel a thing and that’s probably a very good thing. My surgery changed once they got in with a scope to check everything out. Once the scopes were in, my liver surgeon found another 10 spots on the liver, unfortunately he was only able to biopsy two of them because the rest were very small. They came back as cancer so that stopped the liver part of the surgery. My rectal surgeon also found 10 to 20 polyps in the colon during the exam pre-surgery, but they looked normal so there shouldn’t be anything to worry about. Both surgeons came out at that point to let me family know what they found and what they were planning to do now with the new information. So, the rectal surgeon went in and removed the tumor and reasonable margins to make sure that they got it all, which means that the only thing I have left of the rectum is the muscle that helps you go. He then put in my colostomy, to bypass the surgical site and closed me up. I was pretty out of it when I woke up in recovery and realized that something had happened during the procedure because everyone was acting weird. It took until 3am that morning to get info from Bob, when we were up for 2 hours because of the pain. I also have some other news: #1–the margins came back negative, meaning that he got everything and no more cancer is there; #2–because of no more cancer, it appears that radiation is not going to happen anymore, meaning no IVF or fertility treatments for now; #3–when the doctor was retracting back my opening he must have pinched my femoral nerve (the biggest one in your upper leg), meaning that I have weakness in that leg that prevents me from walking on it fully and putting weight on it (only until it comes back, which could be soon or weeks from now). I’ll know more when we meet with the neurologist in 2 weeks. Other than that…I was taken off everything on Friday, but I was having problems going to the bathroom, so a catheter went back in on Sat. I also have not had a bowel movement yet, (I know you all wanted to know that), so I had an IV reattached yesterday to keep me hydrated in case thats whats causing it. Otherwise, I’m doing really well and can’t wait to go home, hopefully in the next few days. I’ll update if I hear anything else. Later!!

 

Thursday 1/8/2009

I got to go home today, just not until 6pm. I finally had a bowel movement last night and it has continued into today. I got the catheter out this morning and was able to go to the bathroom by noon, so that’s great news. I’ll keep you all posted as post-op recovery and appointments happen.

Permalink | December 28th, 2008

3 Responses to “Surgery”

  1. Barb Larson Says:
    January 6th, 2009 at 6:25 am

    Hi Chrissy,
    I’ve been thinking about you lately, knowing your surgery was the next step in your treatment plan. I work with your little sister and she keeps her work friends posted on your progress. I wish you the best through this chapter in your life. You’ll do great with the love and support of your family and friends. Stay positive and strong and make sure Megan waits on you hand and foot!

    Barb Larson

  2. Sherry DeLong Says:
    January 6th, 2009 at 12:21 pm

    Hey girl! I wanted to come and visit you in the hospital but your mom said you were pretty exhausted. I plan to visit you when you are in the comforts of your own home. Plus my girls wanted to see you too. Sophia is walking more and more now. Pretty soon she will be running. Everyone watch out. The twins had a hockey tournament this last weekend. They lost all four games, but Amber did have one goal and two assist. Abbie, well lets just say she goes to skate circles. I know you probably have heard this a millian times, but take advantage of the time to rest. Soon you will be back in the swing of things and be wishing for sleep. Take care and see you soon. Love from all of us in Wisconsin. Oh, P.S. I see the Viking choked again!!!!!

  3. CLAUDIA TREFETHREN Says:
    January 8th, 2009 at 4:06 pm

    DEAR CHRISTINA,
    YOU DON’T KNOW ME BUT MY DAUGHTER IN LAW, BARB TREFETHREN WORKS WITH YOUR MOM. SHE SENT MY THE EMAIL WITH YOU WEBSITE AND ASKED FOR PRAYERS FOR YOU. I SENT IT OUT TO ALL OF MY CLASSMATES SO YOU HAD LOTS OF PRAYERS SAID. I AM SO HAPPY THAT THINGS HAVE TURNED OUT SO MUCH BETTER THEN YOU OR ANYONE ELSE COULD PREDICT. I WISH YOU THE BEST!
    SINCERELY, CLAUDIA TREFETHREN

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