Thursday, January 22, 2009

Recovering...

I have been home now for ten days and the difference between day one and day ten is just enormous. When I came home the first day I was still full of the drugs that I had been having for the previous three weeks. I had no stamina, no energy, no ability to do much for myself.

Today, I organized my clothes. Mom made me do it because she’s been doing our laundry and she couldn’t figure out where anything went in my closet. I took a good restful nap, walked to the mailbox and went to Charlie’s junior high band concert. He was fantastic! My goal since I came home was to be able to go to this concert and walk in on my own two legs. And I did. And I got to see my baby boy play his music. He was so nervous. He was also so proud of himself and of course, I cried.

Tomorrow I go back to the doc for surgical follow up and to establish a new plan. I am getting stronger every day and I am ready to fight again.

And now, what shall my next goal be? Kick cancer's butt, mmmm, I think so....

Friday, January 9, 2009

Returning to the Real World

One week ago today, I had surgery to repair the various problems that have happened because of the tumors and various other things. I knew I would be having the fistula repairs and this was extremely important because they were causing incredible amounts of pain. What the docs didn't know until they got into the abdomen was the extent of more tumor growth around my bladder. So the surgery was longer and harder that we had imagined. The recovery has been no picnic either.

But today I really am feeling better. I have more color, more strength and a better smile on my face than I have had in a long, long time. I don't know when I will be released, mostly because my digestive tract is stubborn and until it decides to start pushing the old gas through, I wait. I sit, I read, I knit, I walk, I sleep, I sit, I wait, I walk. And none of this is a bad thing. I really need this quiet time for recovery. It has been extremely beneficial to have time to just 'be' and I think it really helps with the healing process. And the truth is that eventually, my digestive system will start working again, they will pull the NG tube, remove the staples in my stomach and off I will go.

Thanks to every one for all your prayers, good energy, kind words, and thoughts that have helped to carry us through these heavy days. When I look around at the patients beside me I realize how incredibly lucky I am. As hospital experiences go, this has been a good one, good nurses and good staff and a good quiet environment for me to recuperate in. Love and hugs and kisses to all,

Maggie