Time Flies!

Today marks eight weeks since my operation. That certainly passed quicker than I expected!

I tried laying on the floor on my stomach today and it still felt a little bit swollen - distinctly different from the speedbump-like feeling of Lumpy, but not quite normal yet. It's also still uncomfortable to lean against a counter. However, I don't notice any restriction in movement during my daily routine and I was able to pick up my three-year-old niece today with no problems. (Well, she made me realize that I could stand to lift some weights, but that has nothing to do with my stomach!)

Yesterday I started back to work full time. I didn't notice any excess tiredness yesterday, but boy was I ready for a nap this afternoon! Right around 2:30 or so I could have laid my head on my desk and been out like a light...which makes me wonder why I'm sitting here typing instead of going to bed.

Getting Back to Normal

What a momentous day - the inevitable return to work. I felt surprisingly nervous this morning, almost like my first day at a new high school all over again! I thought that the day would fly by and that it wouldn't tire me out. In fact, only half of that came true. I was ready for a nap after I'd been there for only an hour! Apparently chit-chatting and remembering passwords cause fatigue. I knew that the day would fly by since this week I'm only working half-days.

I enjoyed seeing my co-workers, but simultaneously I was wishing to be at home scrapbooking and watching Desperate Housewives. I almost felt like an outsider at first and sort of had to ease my way into the group again. I don't think anyone else felt that way and by the end of the day it had dissipated, thank goodness. Going back to work also made me feel less like a patient in recuperation and more like my usual self.

The best part of the day: I wore my regular work clothes and everyone noticed!!

Insomnia Then vs. Insomnia Now

As I have learned in the last few months, insomnia can strike at any time for a number of reasons. Here are a few:

Worry
Before my surgery, I had a hard time falling asleep most nights due to worry about what was going on inside me, whether I would wake up from general anesthesia, and how much it would hurt after the operation. (I know, why worry about the third one if I was worried about the second one? And yes, that question kept me awake some nights too!) So I would lay down in bed and then get up and pace and finally be so tired I couldn't keep my eyes open.

Recuperation from major surgery
After the operation, once I started feeling less tired in general, I discovered that no matter how tired I felt I was wide awake once I turned the light off. Maybe sleeping in a seated position on the sofa contributed to that, I don't know, but the solution seemed to be mindlessly jumping from website to website until 2:00 a.m. and then sleeping until 10. I'm assuming that was just my body adjusting itself since my sleep patterns slowly returned to normal.

Completely Random?
And then there's last night. I stayed awake a little while longer than Jon and finally felt tired. So I went to bed and all of a sudden there were tons of "urgent thoughts" racing around my mind. After about 45 minutes I drifted off only to wake up again at 2:40. Uggh! The internet didn't seem to do the trick and around 4:45 I talked to myself sternly and sent myself to bed. Now brace yourself for this shocker: 100% ineffective! Anyway, after another half-hour (or hour?) of tossing and turning I finally fell asleep again, but 8:30 was my final wake-up time. What an annoying night! And why did it happen? I mean, really, what are the chances that a 32-ounce Coke and a 20-ounce Starbucks, both after 3:00, could have had anything to do with my restless night?

More Happy Happenings

Aaaah, a nice warm bubble bath - what a way to start my day! I slept in until close to 9:00 this morning and hopped right in the tub filled with Sweet Pea bubble bath from Bath and Bodyworks. I loved it! This was the first time I was able to take a bath since my operation.

Of course after that came the thrill of doing laundry all by myself. Seriously. It's awesome to be able to retrieve clothing from the dryer at will rather than bugging Jon to do it for me!

I'm still getting better every day, so I think that by the time I go back to work I'll be in pretty good shape. Oh, one great thing is that I was able to wear my own jeans today! They were still a bit tight, but I could breathe and sit in them. Hopefully the swelling will continue to go down until my pants fit correctly again.

A Day of Good News

Wow, four weeks already!

The doctor told me that everything looks good and that the official pathology report agrees with the preliminary diagnosis of Begnign Mucinous Cystadenoma. Yay!

I still have a little bit of pain but he wasn't worried about it. He said that I should take it easy for a little while longer, so I'll go back to work on the 9th of November, but only for half-days, then start back with a regular schedule on the 16th.

He actually told me that everything looks so good that he doesn't need to see me again unless something unexpected happens or the pain doesn't dissipate as he's expecting it to. I guess this means that Jon's duty of waiting on me hand and foot is finished...darn, back to laundry duty soon.

Sleepy Head, Sleepy Head

I feel so lazy these days...I've been napping in the mornings after Jonathan leaves for work, so today I decided to not do that. Big mistake! Taking a shower and going for a walk wiped me out! Since then I've been sitting on the sofa mostly just watching TV. I've been staring at the laptop but not actually doing anything with it. I guess the moral of the story is to keep taking it easy and sleep while I have the chance.

Jon is ready to take me to dinner and I'm ready to go to bed for the night...okay, since it's not even 5:00 yet he wins, but I have a feeling it's going to be a pretty early night for me.

The Good, the Bad, and the....Ugly??

On the bright side, I drove for the first time today! I felt a little bit awkward after more than a fortnight of being a passenger. Jon talked me into it by saying that he should be with me the first time in case I had any problems, but that if all went well then I could drive myself to the boardwalk and enjoy the beautiful days. He's so smart!

On the dark side, my healthy eating habits I've been honing disappeared when I gave into my craving for a Big Mac and french fries. And now I'm sitting here with a stack of Oreos and a glass of cold milk. Well, we went shopping today, so I should be set for another week of wholesome nutrition.

And as for the ugly part of the day...it's official - I have a scar! Jonathan removed the SteriStrips for me this evening, so I decided I can't call it an incision any longer. A couple of them hurt as he ripped them off, but most of them felt really good. Like when there's an itch you just haven't quite been able to reach and you finally get it in just the right spot. Anyway, when he was done he looked the scar over and said, very enthusiastically, "It looks good!" I haven't seen it yet because the camera wasn't handy, but it certainly wasn't nice looking the last time I saw it.

Odds and Ends

• My incision/scar is mildly itchy in general, but goes through periods of intense itchiness which drive me crazy!
• I tried sleeping in bed last night, but discovered it's too soon for that.
• I'm able to cough and sneeze with only a minimum of discomfort.
• I didn't take any medicine yesterday!
• Putting together a salad (of pre-cut vegetables) was hard work yesterday, but I did it all by myself.
• Three more things I can do by myself now: check the mail, put on socks, turn on the lamp next to the sofa.

A Night on the Town

Normally on Tuesdays we go to my mother-in-law's house for dinner and scrapbooking, so Jonathan decided to vary my recent routine by taking me there last night. My nieces were coached ahead of time that they weren't allowed to hug me and I was given a dining room table chair with arms. Luckily dinner was pizza, so I was able to eat it in a fairly reclined position.

After dinner we went to Wal-Mart for a few odds and ends. I knew I was already tired out from the effort of getting in and out of the car twice, but I decided that I could trudge into the store...and that was utterly exhausting. (Not to mention that it increased my pain level a bit - bad idea in retrospect.) The plan was for Jon to push me around in a wheel chair, but all they had were electric ones, so I ended up leaning back while Jon worked the controls and steered as he walked. That was still terribly hard work since there wasn't any head rest and I could hardly keep my eyes open as we headed for the exit.

I slept until 9:15 this morning, which is late for me even as I've been recovering, so I think that it will be awhile before I try adding so much excitement to my life again.

VIP Treatment

The staples are out!!! It hurt alot less than I thought it would - in fact, almost none at all. There are SteriStrips along the incision now to help it stay together. They're alot more comfortable than the staples were!

I felt pretty special when they ushered me in through the back door, gave me the exam room two steps inside the door, and showed Jon to the lobby to sign me in. The only thing missing was a red carpet. I even received a gift bag to take home: the nurse gave me all 21 staples plus the staple remover wrapped up in the fanciest brown paper bag she could find.

The Operation

I finally posted pictures this evening. www.photobucket.com/jerusha1102 In addition to some before and after photos, there are three photos from during the operation, so if you don't want to see them taking this thing out of me, don't look at these pictures.

The operation lasted for 42 minutes, 15 of which was spent waiting for results from a test on a biopsied piece of the cyst. Then I spent an hour in the recovery room. My surgeon said this was as simple as possible - they found exactly what they expected and there were no complications. The cyst measured 19x12x9 cm and weighed about three pounds.

Eventful Day & How I'm Doing

I bet that none of you had a day as exciting as mine. Not only did I wake up and change my clothes, but I went on to take a walk and later I even took a shower!

The walk was from our patio door, around the end of the building to the main entrance and back to the sofa. It even included a small hill in the sidewalk - boy did I get my exercise! Total distance: maybe 1/16 of a mile, if that.

The shower was way more work than I ever expected, but I sure feel better now! Of course, with all that excitement, I didn't get any pictures posted, so maybe I'll get to it tomorrow.

In the hospital, I was allowed to start eating solid foods at breakfast time on Wednesday. I had a Dilaudid drip and something else in the IV until about mid-morning or so, then they took all of the IV away and gave me ibuprofen and oxyIR. The surgeon came in and talked with me around lunchtime and shortly after the nurse took off my bandage, leaving only the staples and a very wide velcro belt they call a binder.

I first got out of bed around 6:30 on Wednesday morning and used the bathroom on my own. It was pretty rough and the binder plus a pillow came quite in handy! Shortly after dinner the surgeon came in and said I could leave that evening and by around 9:00 or so I was being wheeled to the front door of the hospital. I still miss the hospital bed that did all the work of sitting me up and laying me down, but I'm definately glad to be home.

Yesterday and today I've been rather sleepy, but getting up and down is getting easier. I may actually be growing some arm muscles! Various people have been helping me out this week and people are planning to be here until the end of next week to help while Jon's at work. I surely couldn't make it through a day without all of this great help. Plus I've had a few phone calls and emails from people. So far I haven't talked for too long, but it's nice to hear from people. Thanks everybody!

I'm Home Now

I actually came home around 9 last night, but I've been pretty tired since then. The operation went nice and smoothly and the surgeons didn't find any surprises. I have some pictures that I will post on my Photobucket site tomorrow. I'm pretty tired right now and jon is about to bring me some dinner, so I'll write more when I ahe more energy.

Feeling better

The pain is managable and she getting up on her own to make small trips to look out the window and use the bathroom. The hospital has supplied her some games to keep her occupied. She says she actually enjoys the hospital food...lol I guess I really need to step my game up! They have removed the IV and pain meds and now she is using standard pain meds in pill form.

Surgery is done!!!

The docter has come in and let me know that everything went well. He said that there was zero complications and that she is in recover. Hopefully she will be in here room soon. I will update this for through out the day or until she feels up to updating it herself

Ready to Go

I guess I'm as ready as possible for this exciting day. I certainly feel thirsty enough! Yesterday's liquids-only fast wasn't as bad as I thought it would be, but so far this morning's absolutely nothing fast is turning out the way I thought it would.

Jon is going to add a short update after the surgeons tell him that all went well and I'm in recovery, then I'll let you know how I'm doing after I get home.

A Plucked Chicken

Have you ever felt like a plucked chicken before? Looking at my shaved stomach reminded me of a chicken before I stuff it and season it. Just an extra reminder that the big day is almost here, I suppose. My blood work came back okay, so now I'm just counting down.

Today I get to work in the morning, then go shopping this afternoon for stuff that may be helpful after surgery - paper plates, bottled water, and who knows...maybe even some sweat pants. I'm not even sure when I last owned sweat pants!

Tomorrow I'm planning to spend with a friend doing something super fun. We just haven't decided yet what that will be. Hmm, maybe I'm more spontaneous than I thought.

And Monday ought to be...well...I don't know what to call it, but I'll be restricted to liquids only after breakfast so I'm planning to just stay home. Maybe get caught up on laundry. So I guess I could say that Monday ought to be productive.

Two Things

#1 - The photo at the top of my blog is along the Havre de Grace boardwalk and I took it earlier this year. It was such a beautiful day!

#2 - I Googled "Mucinous Cystadenoma" and found this website:

http://www.mypacs.net/cases/MUCINOUS-CYSTADENOMA-OVARY-857115.html

It has some ultrasound images, some CT scan images, and photos of what was removed from that person. Not the most appealing photos I've ever seen, but now I have an idea of what Lumpy may actually look like.

Aaah, the joys of surgery...And some answers

Today was my pre-op appointment with Dr. Bellantoni. He confirmed two things: Lumpy hasn't disappeared and my heart is still beating. Okay, it sounds kind of strange now that I'm typing it, but it was a good way of putting me at ease....it made me laugh when he listened to my chest and actually announced that my heart was still beating.

And I found out about all the uncomfortable things that will happen between now and my operation. First, he swabbed my nose for Mersa (is that spelled right?) while I was in his office. Next: more blood work tomorrow. Then: Shave from belly button to pubic bone about five days before surgery.

And finally, the 24 hours leading up to the big event ought to be tons of fun: Liquids only beginning at lunchtime; nothing, including water, after midnight; an enema at 4:00 p.m. and one at 8:00 p.m.; and a special soap called Hibiclens to wash with in the morning before heading to the hospital. As I told the doctor, boy am I glad I don't have to do this every day!

Luckily, no x-ray or EKG is required. He said to tell everyone it's because I'm too good looking to need that.

But that really it's because I'm too young.

He also answered some questions. So for anyone who's curious and likes more details, here are some answers:

• The operation will probably take about an hour, as long as they don't find any surprises.
• The plan is to remove the cyst, almost definately the ovary, and possibly the tube.
• They are going to do a horizontal bikini line cut on the exterior and a vertical cut on the interior. This will heal better than a vertical cut all the way through plus it will look nicer.
• It will require a drain that will probably be in for a couple days.
• I should plan on being in the hospital for two nights, but it might be only one.
• The anesthesiologist will most likely be a CRNA, but the supervisor is an MD and will be nearby in case he/she needs to take over.
• He can't say what the cause of this is until they are able to see it and test it. Then he may be able to answer that question.
• He said that to put a name to it right now, he would call it a benign neoplasm. (Neoplasm means "new growth.") His best guess without seeing and testing it is that it's a mucinous cystadenoma.
• He is happy to take a picture of it for me, as long as I remind him that morning.
• They will probably close it up with staples.
• They will probably give me a dilaudid drip for pain afterwards.
• He has had some patients who are back to normal after two weeks and some who are still in pain after ten weeks.
• During the operation, they will be able to send some of the tissue to be frozen and looked at under a microscope to help confirm their findings that it's non-cancerous.
• Further testing will be done on it, but the results take several days to get back.

Three More Weeks

Nothing exciting to report today, but I just thought I would mention that there are three more weeks to wait. I'm getting somewhat impatient - let's get it over with already! Of course, when I get too impatient, I remind myself that this long wait is worth it because I have two top-notch surgeons...if I had "shopped around" for someone who could fit me in sooner, would I have ended up with the same caliber of doctor?

What A Day

Aaah, there is nothing like a relaxed day of shopping for 10th anniversary festivities to take my mind off Lumpy (that's what Jon named it...it's not a boy, it's not a girl - it's Lumpy!)

Jon made a reservation at The Melting Pot for tomorrow evening, so a trip to the Hair Cuttery was on this morning's agenda. Then, since I was in Bel Air anyway, I decided to take a gander at a few of the stores around town and found some great bargains. I ended up with a dress, a new pair of shoes, and a purse. Plus I treated myself to a soft pretzel at the mall and lunch at my favorite Chinese restaurant. Quite a fun day! It ended on a sweet note when Jonathan stopped for waffle cones at Bruster's with me.

Sure, there was stuff waiting to be done at home - laundry, dusting, going through the junk in the spare room - but why bother with all that when a day of de-stressing falls into your lap? Just the small amount of pampering at The Hair Cuttery perked me up and set me up for a great day. The lesson I learned: Never underestimate the power of a talented and talkative hairdresser.

New Clothes

I finally broke down and bought some maternity pants at Target this weekend. At first I balked at spending money on a pair of pants with an expiration date but I couldn't figure out any better way to avoid going to work in my birthday suit for the next five weeks, so I finally just went for it. And boy, are they comfy! They were definately worth every penny...and I've only worn them twice so far.

Good News

I have been wearing Jonathan's pants to work in an attempt to avoid buying any since this is just a temporary condition. But they have been just a shade too large and I'm always pulling at them to make sure they don't fall down as I cross the lobby at work. So my good news today is that, for the first time, they no longer feel too loose so I can stop worrying about that!

Of course, I am curious which sports ball this thing is closest to in size now. Or has it graduated to some other comparison chart?

It's a Date!

Finally, they have given me a date!

My operation is scheduled for September 22 at 11:30 a.m. at Upper Chesapeake in Bel Air. They're expecting a night or two in the hospital and 6-8 weeks of recovery time.

Welcome to My Blog!

Since I thought that more than one person might be interested in this news, I decided this would be the easiest way to let everyone know what's going on.

My left ovary is enlarged and will be removed - soon I hope! Actually, I think that it is a tumor or cyst that has grown so large that it's almost impossible to tell where the ovary ends and this thing begins. At the end of June, it measured approximately 15x12x16 centimeters, or as my doctor put it, about the size of a volleyball. It's continuously growing, so I'm at the point now where I have outgrown most of my pants!

It doesn't hurt and I don't know what caused it. It is in the realm of "normal" as these things go. I am waiting to hear a surgery date and I'll post it here once I find it out.

I know I'm pretty bad at keeping up with emails, so if you have questions or comments it will probably be easier to just post them here since I'll be updating this periodically anyway.