When it IS a tumor

If you have been following my blog of late you will notice that my posts have, at times, been erratic. I have been having several health problems that have led me to feel exhausted and lethargic.  My doctor recommended me going in for an ultrasound and at first I said no hoping that the issue would resolve itself. A family member even counseled me that if it were her she would just "Put up with it".   But then after a particularly bad day I decided to book an appointment. That was two weeks ago. The morning after my ultrasound my doctor personally called me (never a good sign) and told me I had an 8 inch tumor or growth on my right ovary.  That's right, not 8 centimeters, 8 inches! That's bigger than a grapefruit. 

She said that things were going to move very fast and that she was calling the oncologist that day to send in the referral and that I would need to go in that day for blood work looking for cancer and then a cat scan for the next day looking to see if any other growths were in my abdomen.  I was terrified that if it was cancer it might have spread.  I'm only 35 with four children.  In an instant my whole life changed.  My husband was worried sick but was strong for me.  Did I mention I also have an anxiety disorder?

By the end of the week I had gotten all the tests done and back.  Big sigh of relief there was no spread of the growths, my lymph nodes were normal, and all my blood work was cancer free.  That very next Monday I saw the surgeon and on Tuesday morning the next day I went in to surgery to have the growth/tumor removed along with my uterus and right ovary.



Me and my nurses right before going into the surgery.

The biggest thing I was afraid of was actually dying on the table.  This was my first surgery and I was really afraid as they wheeled me into the operating room.  In the end the tumor was 9 pounds, and they drained a gallon of fluid from it before they removed it.  I did well during the surgery the doctor said.  When I woke up my husband was there and I remember smiling and saying "Yay I didn't die!"

  I was serious by the way.

On the way to my hospital room I did a princess wave at passing nurses which made everyone laugh.  I just felt so happy to be alive and have the surgery over.

More good news came when my doctor visited me and told me the tests of the tumor and uterus had come back.  Both it and my uterus were free of cancer!  I spent three days in the hospital learning what post surgery feels like. It was pretty painful, especially since they had to fiddle with pain meds to find one that worked right.  They made six incisions for the orthoscopic surgery across my abdomen, one of which was larger than normal to allow for the removal of the tumor.

Now I am at home for a six week recovery.  My wonderful mother in law has come to help me.  At first I thought I wouldn't need any help but boy was I wrong!  I can't imagine what I would have done without her.  Every night since I came home last Saturday someone from our church has brought us a huge yummy dinner and has been praying for me.  The most annoying thing is not being able to even walk normal.  I have to slow everything down and cant even do laundry!  Sitting at the computer hurts like the dickens so I'm only able to be online for about 10 minutes before I have to lay down.

But I am so thankful that I found out about it in time, I am so thankful to be alive,  and I am so thankful to have loving family members who are willing to sacrifice their time to care for me.