Three Weeks Post-Op

Yesterday marked three weeks since my surgery. I can say that my recovery hasn't been too bad. I still have a bit of discomfort here and there and too much activity wears me out, but I am improving and I am getting out of the house more and more. I'm still working diligently on crafts, though.

On Wednesday I drove my daughter to Pittsburgh for her appointment at the women's hospital. We were out from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. for that. She didn't get any instant answers, but they listened to her, really listened. That experience alone made it worth the trip and left her in tears. She has been brushed off and poo-pooed for so long. In short, they believe it is possible a hormonal imbalance could be at the root of many of her problems and are looking into. The doctor said it will not be an instant fix, but she believes they can help her. She had blood work done before we left and from what she can understand of the posted results it seems to show some hormonal things are out of whack.

Yesterday I drove to Walmart to pick up a few things we needed and was so happy to be out and about that I spent an hour browsing around the store. It proved to be a bit much and wiped me out for the rest of the afternoon.

Today my daughter wanted to escaped home for a while (her dog got sprayed by a skunk for the third time this year...and after a bath went right out and rolled in the grass where the skunk had sprayed so she needed another bath). I got talked into driving us to the Goodwill Outlet about 45 minutes from us. We didn't find much (some days are better than others there). We had lunch at the Raising Cane's next to Goodwill. 

All in all, I feel like I'm moving in the right direction. I guess Tuesday will tell. That's when I go back to Pittsburgh for my follow-up appointment.

Thankful Thursday

There is a lot to be thankful for today, but I think I'm just going to drop two on you and call it a day.

First, I'm thankful to even be able to post tonight. We've had terrible storms rolling through all day and the ones tonight have just been the worst. Part of the evening was spent hunkering down in the basement with our daughter's family. 

About 6:30 this evening everyone's phones started exploding with weather alerts. They weren't messing around, just said to seek shelter NOW. Apparently, the heavy rains were hiding the cloud rotation so that only radar was picking it up. They said if you waited until you could see it or hear it, it would be too late.

Thankfully, we didn't see the expected 80 mph winds. The chairs and rug on the pool deck had to be fished out of the pool when it was over, but we had no damage. A quick drive around the neighborhood showed nothing other than a lot of standing and running water. Other areas were not so lucky and thousands in the region are without power tonight and will face a big clean up job tomorrow.

Second, I am thankful for the report I got from my oncologist today. The cancer was at an earlier stage than believed and they got all of it. I do not have to do chemo or radiation. I just have to follow up for 5 years. 

Thank you, Lord! 

And thank you to the army of people who have been praying for me!

Saturday 9: Sugar, Sugar

Saturday 9: Sugar, Sugar (1969)

Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here.

This month Saturday 9 will be tasty, featuring songs with food in the title.

1) This week's song is credited to The Archies, a band that never actually existed. The song is performed by singer Ron Dante and studio musicians and backup singers hired on behalf of the five members of the popular Saturday morning Archie Show. Were you a fan of this animated series?  I loved The Archies! I even read their comic books. I think I still own (though, heaven only knows where it might be) a 45 of Sugar, Sugar cut from the back of a cereal box. Remember those? Also, I found a chair exercise video set to this song that we do with the consumers at work quite often. They also LOVE this song!

2) Archie was Archibald Andrews, a character first introduced in the 1941 comic strip. Archie was the linchpin, the leader of the band, and the center of his social group. Tell us about one of the popular kids from your school days.  I grew up in small town, white bread America. There was a boy from Puerto Rico in my class. He was cute and an artist, but it was being a bit more exotic than the other boys that had all the girls swooning over him. Sadly, he turned out to be not so nice (an abusive alcoholic) in his adult relationships. He's on FB so I know he lost his legs from the knees down in a drunken accident on a motorcycle and the serial marriages continue.

3) The Archies' drummer was Jughead Jones. He was smart, funny, and had a fondness for headwear. Do you often wear hats or caps?  No, I hardly ever wear them. If I do it's either because the temperature is below zero or it's a goofy holiday thing for work.

4) Reggie was the lead singer and bass player. He was a gifted athlete who liked to come in first. If he couldn't win with his natural talents, he was not above cheating. Have you ever cheated in a friendly game?  I'm sure I probably did as a kid, but as an adult winning doesn't mean that much to me.

5) Blonde Betty Cooper was on the tambourine. Her hobbies include playing baseball, caring for her cat, and helping Archie work on his car. Tell us three of your favorite pastimes.  Reading, crafting, and playing around on the computer.

6) Raven-haired Veronica Lodge was the keyboardist and joined Betty for backup vocals. She was a fashion plate, known and loved by Riverdale store owners because of her willingness to spend big bucks to stay on trend. What's the latest thing you've added to your wardrobe?  Um....probably beach shoes before we went on vacation last month. Oh, wait! I did buy a couple of souvenir t-shirts.

7) The biggest news story of 1969 was one of the biggest stories in history. On July 21, man first stepped onto the moon. Without looking it up, do you remember the astronaut's name?  Neil Armstrong

8) Also in 1969, Triple H was born and today he's in the WWE Hall of Fame. Do you follow professional wrestling?  Not these days. I was a big fan in high school and college. I even went to a big match in Pittsburgh.

9) Random question – Would you prefer to be: a) super successful in business or b) a politician elected to an influential office or c) a champion athlete?  If I thought I could make a difference I'd say a politician, but I think a lot of good people with good intentions (from both parties) go into office and find out they can't accomplish much if anything outside of their party's desires. I tend to believe our system has become very corrupted by those who get into office and stay for a lifetime. So, I will say a business person.

Currently...

Life continues much as normal...with the odd, cancer-related appointment, phone call, or whatever thrown in. 

I met with my PCP this past Friday. It was decided that the "slight oddity" in my EKG is nothing. On the other hand, a slight heart murmur was heard for the first time. I have to get an echo cardiogram to check that out. I can't get one before the scheduled day of my surgery. I guess that's okay. I left a message with the doctor today, but didn't hear back yet. I still have to get blood work to test kidney function done in the next day or two because Monday is when I go for the full-body CT scan and I have to have it done with injected dye and the dye I drink.

The HR person at work faxed the paperwork for my family medical leave of absence (FMLA) to my surgeon's office today. The nurse said she'd send it back as quickly as possible. 

Our daughter has been helping me sort through things and decide what to keep, what to donate and what to toss. I want the house clean and the clutter gone before I am stuck at home for a month. We filled up our big toter can this week and I took 6 bags of stuff to Goodwill. I'm hoping to just be able to relax and work on crafts while I'm off work (we have a big craft show in November).

I'm reading a cozy mystery series set in an antiques shop that I picked up at the YWCA's used book store.

I'm watching a lot of fall romance movies on Peacock+ and Hallmark.

I'm eating...less. I just don't seem to be that hungry lately. Tonight we had cheeseburgers (no buns) with veggies...mixed veggies for Tim and Brussels sprouts for me.

I'm thinking about what I will do Friday evening with a night to myself. Tim has to go to a minor league baseball game as a work team building thing. He hates baseball (and team building exercises) but he's going to take our grandson and that will make it fun for both of them.

I'm feeling pretty good except for my darn leg. Once this cancer stuff is behind me I think we're going to have to get serious about figuring out what's going on with the muscle or tendon or whatever. It seems to be the worst right where I imagine it connects to the side/back of my knee and no amount of movement/stillness/stretching/exercise/ice/heat seems to make a bit of difference.

I've been enjoying looking online for ideas for my skeletons at Halloween and shopping for some things to add to the display. I don't go all spooky. I'm sticking with my tropical/pool party theme. When the time rolls around I'll be sure to share photos.

I am thankful for my family and friends, good doctors, good insurance, and not too many hassles getting things done.

I'm laughing at...

Oops! I forgot about the August Happiness Challenge, so I'm just going to jump in today. 

Here's my symbol for the month...

As for what made me happy today, it was being out at a local park with my work bestie and our clients. It was such a beautiful day to sit by the lake and enjoy the sunshine and a gentle breeze. My client is non-verbal and he can't physically do a lot, but he had his face up to the sun and laughed and laughed. Seeing his joy made me happy I can give him moments like that.

Getting a Few More of My Ducks In a Row

First of all, thank you to all who are praying. I appreciate it, and you, so very much.

Things continue to move along and line up. Today my CT-scan was scheduled for Monday, August 10. It will be done with both IV contrast and oral contrast (yuk!). I also learned I have to ask my PCP to send an order for blood work to test kidney function before the CT-scan.

At work, I was able to touch base with HR and have the forms to fill out for my second Family Medical Leave of Absence (FMLA) of the year. I still have 10 weeks available on my first one, but that was to help my daughter and can only be used for that. This one will be for me. I won't be paid while I'm off, but it holds my job and allows me to continue my health insurance for $50/month. 

Word is beginning to get out and I've heard from a few people today. One, a big surprise. Surreal still describes how it feels.

Life Just Took a Sharp Turn

This year continues to be the "gift" that just keeps on giving. If you visit here on a (semi)regular basis you know that this year has brought a LOT of things for my family to deal with. As of yesterday we've added one more.

Cancer.

I received a diagnosis of endometrial cancer yesterday. It is early stages, what they call 1C. Still, my oncologist (yes, I have one of those now) is not wasting any time. I got blood work and an EKG before I left the hospital yesterday. I am scheduled for a total hysterectomy on August 27. My pre-operative appointment with my PCP is next Friday. I am waiting for them to call and tell me when they schedule me for a full-body CT scan.

Whew.

The scan is important as it should show whether or not there is cancer anywhere else. If there is, my treatment schedule will change as I will have to do chemo before surgery. My doctor doesn't think this is likely, but we have to check. If the scan shows nothing then I will just have to have some radiation after the surgery.

It's kind of weird how life is the same today and yet totally different.

I spoke to my work and told a few people there. The HR person wasn't in today so I still need to see her and figure things out. I will have to be off at least 4-6 weeks.

My husband is being very supportive, an absolute rock and has already asked for the days I have the surgery and follow up off. 

My daughter is doing what she does best, talking about it with all the family and digging and researching online. 

My mom still has her hands full with my stepdad and can barely manage that. Her stress levels have been on the rise again since he came home a week ago. I know she cares and is worried, but she doesn't have it in her to be supportive right now.

My sisters-in-law and nieces have circled the wagons and come out in force to offer support. I have to admit it's kind of surreal reading the family texts and it's all about me and my health.

I haven't gone "public" anywhere else. My daughter asked if I was announcing it on Facebook. I told her no, not yet, anyway. Maybe I will when I have a better idea of how things are going to go.

I'm not afraid. I trust the Lord to take care of me. Still, I'm kind of over 2026 at this point.

I will be using the blog to chronicle the journey.