Deported

The port removal surgery was this week. I rolled into the surgical unit at 6am (after spending a half hour the previous evening on the phone preregistering) to register AGAIN. They gave me my medical bracelet and allergy bracelet and I put on the fashion forward hospital gown.

I'm allergic to cats. I'm not sure what that had to do with my surgery but they tagged me anyway. I'm told surgical stitches used to be made of CAT GUTS so they just wanted the surgeon alerted.

IV's hooked up, CBC and various blood tests taken. I stopped taking Coumadin three days before this so I wouldn't bleed to death on the table. Eventually I got the sedative and they rolled me down to the dark, gloomy basement. Then they gave me more sedative. I stated my name and birthday 152 times to various staff and told them what I was having done. I didn't want to wake up without a right leg or something worse.

Finally I was taken into the operating room with all the bright lights. It always looks like it's right out of a medical tv show. The room was spinning and they wrapped/tucked my arms underneath me with foam things and I thought I'd fall off the skinny table on which I had just scooched from the rolling medical bed. I told them I was pretty dizzy and one of the six nurses and anesthesiologists said "Haven't you been given sedative yet?" just before I felt a huge RUSH of medication. Apparently they don't like chit chat in the OR.

They put tubes up my nose, rubbed various ointments or disinfectants all over my chest and covered my face with lightweight paper/tissue. I thought- ummm, they didn't do this last time- do they know I'm awake? Every Dateline and 20/20 I've ever seen about people that FELT their entire surgery because they weren't unconscious flashed through my mind. These people were about to slice me open and untwist wires from my vena cava. I certainly didn't want to feel it.

So I talked some more. I thanked everyone for their help with my port and asked if I could keep it. I was told hospitals no longer allow people to keep body parts or implantable devices because they are abused (someone put a gall bladder stone in a soda and made a person sick) so I couldn't take my port. Then they must have administered the Twilight medication; I remember faint voices but woke still on the operating table when they were finished.

No bandages, no mess. Just a glued up chest that feels tight, itchy and uncomfortable. I took the pain medication they gave me for the next day but it makes me sick so I'd rather go through the pain. No showers or baths allowed for a few days but then I'll be back to normal!

Bye bye port. Thanks for everything.

Meeting with my oncologist on October 18th and scans to follow. Love to all- :)

Thought

I've never met another Hodgkin's Lymphoma patient or survivor in person. I want to change that.

You can walk down the street and BUMP into breast cancer survivors. It's breast cancer awareness month now. I see pink everywhere.

I'm ecstatic for that support and that attention to breast cancer.

I'm just saying I would thoroughly enjoy spending time with another Hodgkin's diagnosee/endur-er/hair losing/port wearing/chemo puking/radiation ultra violet glowing/CT, PET, MRI scan vet/nose hair gone so I buy Kleenex in bulk/You're 1 in 25,000 that get this disease and I'm miffed off..... Hodgkin's Lymphoma friend. :)

RSVP's welcome.

That's all.

Port Removal Didn't Happen

Well, the surgery got postponed. The only opening was late Thursday afternoon and we gave it a shot, but with two children getting out of school and needing pick ups at that hour it just didn't work out. I am rescheduled for this week and will keep you posted!

Enjoying the fall weather. Yesterday we had on air conditioning. Today I'm in a sweatshirt and jeans. That's Missouri!

More soon!

Port Removal

I FINALLY scheduled the port removal. I've been wanting to get it out but things have gotten hectic and I just didn't take the time to schedule the surgery.

I go in Thursday afternoon! I will not be sad parting with this thing. From what I hear they give you the port if you want it. Maybe I can decorate mine and turn it into a Christmas ornament or something. Nah, I don't think so.

Adjusting to life as a cancer survivor. The whole experience is pretty surreal some days. We are all doing great and thank everyone for their prayers. :)

I can wear a headband!!!!

Ok, I'm reaching here.

But I can finally (somewhat) put my hair back (because it's so long and lustrous) with a headband!



And my eyebrows have needed a good waxing for months now. I just haven't done it yet because I'm so thrilled to have hair back on my face. Odd, I know. Who wants a hairy face??

Love to all!

Cathy

Stand Up To Cancer

Stand Up To Cancer is tonight on every major network!

My friend Alyson participated in "46 Mommas Shave for the Brave" this week in Los Angeles. Her son was diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma and these moms shaved their heads in support of their children.

Before



After



They will be at Stand Up to Cancer tonight- I believe at the very beginning of the show!

Have a great weekend everyone. :)

Put a Ring on it

This weekend Daniel's sister Sara was married! We took a whirlwind trip out of town. The ceremony was on a beautiful golf course and the weather could not have been more perfect.

Noah kissing the beautiful bride



Grandma Holly



Our girls- so grown up doing guest book and favors!



Mother of the bride, and Daniel! Resemblance... nah!! :)



Sara



The kids had SO much fun. We had to leave (3 hour drive) shortly after the music started but Noah got to boogie down for a bit. Apparently he was the life of the party..dancing around, raising his hands to the roof and screaming "Shake your booty" over and over.

Time to get the garter, but Noah refuses to stop partying.



Getting his groove on before the music even started



A beautiful ceremony, reception and day! Congratulations Sara and Travis.