WOW, I'm exhausted.
Got to the surgeons office at 8:45am, ready for my 9am appointment. I was seen immediately, where another pelvic was done, this time by Dr. Fiorica. The procedure was explained to me in full. The mass will be removed and a complete hysterectomy. He will also remove the mentum and check certain areas for any cancerous growths. He also made me aware that sometimes it effects the bowel and a section of that may have to be removed but he wont know until the surgery.
I was also told the results of my CA-125 blood test. Normal levels are 35U/ml. Mine was 114U/ml. The doctor said it was only a slight increase and he has seen that number in the thousands before. He is hoping it is all confined to the mass itself, but we still won't know until the surgery. I asked if there was any way I could keep the necklace a friend gave me in surgery but we decided against it. If I was adamant about it, I could have had it bagged and attached to my leg but if some emergency arose during surgery, or it fell off, they would not assume responsibility for it. So I decided not to.
I was given a list of instructions for Sunday. I basically can only have clear liquids (broths, jello, juice without pulp). I have to drink a bottle of magnesium citrate and do a Fleets enema that night. I have to drink 8 ounces of water every hour from morning till night. Than nothing past midnight. I have to be at the hospital at 10:30am and the surgery is scheduled for 12:30pm. It will take 2-3 hours of surgery, then post op recovery.
I also had to go over to Sarasota Memorial Hospital and do the pre-screening and pre-registration. More blood work, and EKG, urine sample... yada yada yada. More of the same instructions and I even got some Hibicleanse I am to shower at home with before I come in to the hospital.
I stopped at the pharmacy and got the mag citrate & Fleets. Then I waddled into Publix and got broth and jello for Sunday. I would have let Jeff do it but I wanted what *I* wanted and had to see the selection. Normally, jello that isn't laced with alcohol is unwanted. LOL
By the time I got finished with that.... I was DONE. I was out of breath and just feeling like crap. Got home, took a promethazine (anti-nausea), tramadol (for pain) and had something to eat. Now I need to call my family and take a damn nap.
So, that's it for now. You'll hear from me soon enough!
God Bless!
Friday, September 28, 2012
Thursday, September 27, 2012
Thursday September 27th, 2012 ***GOOD NEWS***
GREAT NEWS!!!!!!
I got a call this morning from Dr. Fiorica's office (the OBGYN oncologist) to come in at 2:30pm.
I got there, filled out some paperwork and had another general workup from his assistant.
The good news is I'm going to be scheduled for surgery on Monday. I have to go back to see Dr. Fiorica tomorrow so he can see me and discuss everything that will be done.
From what I understand, this thing is bigger than a basketball. It will be removed along with a total hysterectomy and the mentum covering it. He will also check lymph nodes and other places that cancer could form. The pathology will be done after it's removed.
I will have to stay in the hospital for up to 5 days from what I know so far so that everything is okay. Peristaltic movement must be resumed correctly in my intestines before I can go home.
I'll know the "exacts" tomorrow.
But, for now..... SURGERY MONDAY!!!! :)
I got a call this morning from Dr. Fiorica's office (the OBGYN oncologist) to come in at 2:30pm.
I got there, filled out some paperwork and had another general workup from his assistant.
The good news is I'm going to be scheduled for surgery on Monday. I have to go back to see Dr. Fiorica tomorrow so he can see me and discuss everything that will be done.
From what I understand, this thing is bigger than a basketball. It will be removed along with a total hysterectomy and the mentum covering it. He will also check lymph nodes and other places that cancer could form. The pathology will be done after it's removed.
I will have to stay in the hospital for up to 5 days from what I know so far so that everything is okay. Peristaltic movement must be resumed correctly in my intestines before I can go home.
I'll know the "exacts" tomorrow.
But, for now..... SURGERY MONDAY!!!! :)
Monday, September 24, 2012
Monday, September 24, 2012
Had my appointment today with the Women's Health Center at the DOH. Pretty much what I expected, just a routine appointment. Had a pap smear and a breast exam.... asked me a lot of questions. Referred me to the oncologist and put ASAP on it. They think I'll get in before the end of the week.
I'm just going with the flow at this point. So it's back to my world on my couch until I see the next doctor.
I'm tired.... I'm going to try and nap :/
I'm just going with the flow at this point. So it's back to my world on my couch until I see the next doctor.
I'm tired.... I'm going to try and nap :/
Wednesday, September 19, 2012
Wednesday, September 19th 2012
I have been keeping track of how many times I am in pain and it's severity. I have also been keeping track of my blood pressure and my weight. Plus when I have a bowel movement, it's consistency, and frequency. Should they stop, I have to get to the ER.
I've lost another 5 lbs in a week without trying, but then again the nausea kind of puts a damper on my appetite. My blood pressure is a little high ranging from 140/90 to 146/95. It's been like that for almost 3 years because of my weight and from what the doctors say, "high, but not worthy of medication".
It's the pain that has me concerned.
Sunday was pretty bad but I contributed that to over doing it Saturday night. On Monday I was annoyed about having to waste 4 hours at a doctors appointment that I didn't need. I had to stop for coffee creamer at the grocery store and there were no close parking spots. I had to stop three times, holding onto peoples cars, before I made it to the door. I also decided to get an application for a handicapped sticker, it's quite obvious I need one now before the surgery. I was uncomfortable when I got home Tuesday but nothing 800mg of Motrin and the heating pad on the couch couldn't relieve.
Yesterday I noticed that I couldn't straighten up erect to walk and my knees are kind of buckling. I went to the doctor for something to alleviate the pain and to sign off on the handicap sticker. My blood pressure was up a bit due to the pain and I explained that to the nurse. Good thing I have a medical background. When a new nurse came in to make notes for the reason for my visit, I lost it when I told him the preliminary diagnosis of ovarian cancer. He got me some tissues and I apologized for not being able to compose myself. He was very nice and said I was in a place where I was allowed, and encouraged, to say how I feel and not have to apologize for it. He held my hand for a bit and went to get the doctor. The doctor signed off on my requests and gave me a script for pain.
Anyway.... I was suppose to go see Tami at the Power of One in Venice but I felt so run down and all the walking had my right side banging. I figured I'd put on my big girl panties and suck it up and go. Then I looked at the weather coming up from Venice and that put the brakes on that. I didn't feel well and I wasn't about to drive in pouring rain, so I went home. Somewhere along the line, my big girl panties disappeared.
I started sinking a bit because I wanted to see Tami and the pain was creeping in harder. I took some pain meds and lied on the couch for awhile. I got up to see what was up on Facebook and my niece Rachel left me a video from Martina McBride, "I'm Gonna Love You Through It" that had me balling my eyes out. I love that girl SO MUCH, but I lost my big girl panties and said "fuck it"..... I'm giving myself permission to cry. I needed a good cry and Jimmy Bimmy cuddled up next to me and licked my tears away. Texting back and forth with Joanne helped me from not slipping too far. She's such a good friend, I don't know what I'd do without her love and support. I spent the majority of the day going from the couch to the laptop (until I couldn't tolerate sitting there) and back to the couch.
I slept in spurts and tossed A LOT. Every time I turned, I woke Jeff up because I couldn't help the verbal wincing. My knees hurt, my back, my hips, and mostly the pain in my abdomen. It actually woke me up. I went to bed at 2am and I couldn't take it anymore and got out of bed at 8am.
Today was the first day since I was diagnosed that I needed to take pain meds just to function when I got out of bed. Usually the heating pad helps, but this was more than just my back and hips. I'm agitated because I didn't sleep and the pain in my right lower quadrant is hovering around the "pissed off" range on my pain meter. That's good though.... at least it's not the "crying " range.
Before the pain meds kicked in, I was hunched over in pain. I was hanging onto the walls for support. And even my "safe" position was uncomfortable.
If I have one more night like last night and wake up like this again, or worse..... I'm admitting myself into the hospital.
So needless to say, today was a ranting day. I need to get this kind of crap off my chest so I can see it for what it is and make the correct choices about my health. My "safe" position on the couch is working and I'm going to try and take a nap.
Let's hope I'm not as cranky, or in as much pain, when I wake up :)
God Bless and send me prayers!!! Love you all!!!!
I've lost another 5 lbs in a week without trying, but then again the nausea kind of puts a damper on my appetite. My blood pressure is a little high ranging from 140/90 to 146/95. It's been like that for almost 3 years because of my weight and from what the doctors say, "high, but not worthy of medication".
It's the pain that has me concerned.
Sunday was pretty bad but I contributed that to over doing it Saturday night. On Monday I was annoyed about having to waste 4 hours at a doctors appointment that I didn't need. I had to stop for coffee creamer at the grocery store and there were no close parking spots. I had to stop three times, holding onto peoples cars, before I made it to the door. I also decided to get an application for a handicapped sticker, it's quite obvious I need one now before the surgery. I was uncomfortable when I got home Tuesday but nothing 800mg of Motrin and the heating pad on the couch couldn't relieve.
Yesterday I noticed that I couldn't straighten up erect to walk and my knees are kind of buckling. I went to the doctor for something to alleviate the pain and to sign off on the handicap sticker. My blood pressure was up a bit due to the pain and I explained that to the nurse. Good thing I have a medical background. When a new nurse came in to make notes for the reason for my visit, I lost it when I told him the preliminary diagnosis of ovarian cancer. He got me some tissues and I apologized for not being able to compose myself. He was very nice and said I was in a place where I was allowed, and encouraged, to say how I feel and not have to apologize for it. He held my hand for a bit and went to get the doctor. The doctor signed off on my requests and gave me a script for pain.
Anyway.... I was suppose to go see Tami at the Power of One in Venice but I felt so run down and all the walking had my right side banging. I figured I'd put on my big girl panties and suck it up and go. Then I looked at the weather coming up from Venice and that put the brakes on that. I didn't feel well and I wasn't about to drive in pouring rain, so I went home. Somewhere along the line, my big girl panties disappeared.
I started sinking a bit because I wanted to see Tami and the pain was creeping in harder. I took some pain meds and lied on the couch for awhile. I got up to see what was up on Facebook and my niece Rachel left me a video from Martina McBride, "I'm Gonna Love You Through It" that had me balling my eyes out. I love that girl SO MUCH, but I lost my big girl panties and said "fuck it"..... I'm giving myself permission to cry. I needed a good cry and Jimmy Bimmy cuddled up next to me and licked my tears away. Texting back and forth with Joanne helped me from not slipping too far. She's such a good friend, I don't know what I'd do without her love and support. I spent the majority of the day going from the couch to the laptop (until I couldn't tolerate sitting there) and back to the couch.
I slept in spurts and tossed A LOT. Every time I turned, I woke Jeff up because I couldn't help the verbal wincing. My knees hurt, my back, my hips, and mostly the pain in my abdomen. It actually woke me up. I went to bed at 2am and I couldn't take it anymore and got out of bed at 8am.
Today was the first day since I was diagnosed that I needed to take pain meds just to function when I got out of bed. Usually the heating pad helps, but this was more than just my back and hips. I'm agitated because I didn't sleep and the pain in my right lower quadrant is hovering around the "pissed off" range on my pain meter. That's good though.... at least it's not the "crying " range.
Before the pain meds kicked in, I was hunched over in pain. I was hanging onto the walls for support. And even my "safe" position was uncomfortable.
If I have one more night like last night and wake up like this again, or worse..... I'm admitting myself into the hospital.
So needless to say, today was a ranting day. I need to get this kind of crap off my chest so I can see it for what it is and make the correct choices about my health. My "safe" position on the couch is working and I'm going to try and take a nap.
Let's hope I'm not as cranky, or in as much pain, when I wake up :)
God Bless and send me prayers!!! Love you all!!!!
Monday, September 17, 2012
Monday, September 17th 2012
WHAT A WASTE OF MY DAMN TIME.
Today's appointment at the Wellness Clinic was a referral mistake made by the hospital. I waited 4 hours for nothing.
Insert several colorful curse words here.
The OBGYN's there do not do surgery or biopsies. Well gee people, guess what?
I NEED A BIOPSY.
Now I just wait until NEXT Monday for my appointment at the DOH to see their OBGYN.
Wooosaaaaah. Keep calm. Good thing for Ativan.
Today's appointment at the Wellness Clinic was a referral mistake made by the hospital. I waited 4 hours for nothing.
The OBGYN's there do not do surgery or biopsies. Well gee people, guess what?
I NEED A BIOPSY.
Now I just wait until NEXT Monday for my appointment at the DOH to see their OBGYN.
Wooosaaaaah. Keep calm. Good thing for Ativan.
Sunday, September 16, 2012
Sunday, September 16th, 2012
Lots of pain today :/ Trying to fool myself that I can do things that I normally could do.
I over did it last night. I worked all day and went to hang out with some friends to watch the Gators game. I just should have gone home after watching the Gators kick Tennessee's ass. Instead, I went to a club where Jeff's brothers band was playing at around 10pm. By midnight I just HAD to leave, the discomfort was just too much.
Now I am paying the price for it. Four beers throughout the span of 6pm to 11pm is NOTHING compared to what I could normally consume. But I don't doubt that it may be a contributing factor. Sitting up in uncomfortable chairs and moving around too much actually bothers me. Today I have hellacious menstrual cramps that I know aren't from an oncoming period :/
Note to self: STOP IT. Know your limits.
Tomorrow I have an appointment at the Wellness Center at 12:30pm, but it's a first come first serve deal. I HATE dealing with the fact I have no health insurance. Anyway..... I don't know what is going to happen but I know I have to bring all sorts of paperwork in order to qualify.
Hopefully someone will be able to tell me *WHEN* I will have the much needed biopsy done.
But for now I'm going to take another Motrin 800mg and lie down.
God Bless! :)
I over did it last night. I worked all day and went to hang out with some friends to watch the Gators game. I just should have gone home after watching the Gators kick Tennessee's ass. Instead, I went to a club where Jeff's brothers band was playing at around 10pm. By midnight I just HAD to leave, the discomfort was just too much.
Now I am paying the price for it. Four beers throughout the span of 6pm to 11pm is NOTHING compared to what I could normally consume. But I don't doubt that it may be a contributing factor. Sitting up in uncomfortable chairs and moving around too much actually bothers me. Today I have hellacious menstrual cramps that I know aren't from an oncoming period :/
Note to self: STOP IT. Know your limits.
Tomorrow I have an appointment at the Wellness Center at 12:30pm, but it's a first come first serve deal. I HATE dealing with the fact I have no health insurance. Anyway..... I don't know what is going to happen but I know I have to bring all sorts of paperwork in order to qualify.
Hopefully someone will be able to tell me *WHEN* I will have the much needed biopsy done.
But for now I'm going to take another Motrin 800mg and lie down.
God Bless! :)
Thursday, September 13, 2012
Thursday September 13th, 2012
I went to the hospital today to pick up a copy of my CT scan. With the biopsy not being done yet I am not going to look at it and get completely bat shit out of my mind upset. It's bad enough that I understand the doctors report. And the nice woman at medical records is faxing my files to Moffitt Cancer Center.
**Final Report SCT - CT Abdomen - Pelvis W IV, WO PO
9/10/2012
The lung bases are clear. The liver is unremarkable. Cholelithiasis. The spleen is normal. The pancreas enhances homogeneously without local lesion. Adrenal glands are normal. The kidneys are unremarkable. No obstructive uropathy. Within the abdomen is a large sepated cystic mass with internal enhancement and nodules. It occupies the entire abdomen and pelvis. In largest dimension it measures approximately 32x33cm. There is surrounding inflammatory change and mesenteric inflammation. Diagnostic consideration is for ovarian mass/tumor. Bladder contour in normal. No inguinal hernia or mass. No focal osseous abnormality.
IMPRESSION:
32cm cystic mass occupying the entire abdomen and pelvis, likely due to ovarian cancer.
Surrounding mesenteric inflammation.
Cholelithiasis.
I also went to the department of motor vehicles today for an application for a handicap hanger for my truck. Trying to be a bit proactive here because I know I am going to need it for after the surgery. And I am also finding it rather painful to walk what seemed like a short distance only a few months ago.
On a good note..... I am going out with some friends to cheer on the FL Gators on Saturday!
**Final Report SCT - CT Abdomen - Pelvis W IV, WO PO
9/10/2012
The lung bases are clear. The liver is unremarkable. Cholelithiasis. The spleen is normal. The pancreas enhances homogeneously without local lesion. Adrenal glands are normal. The kidneys are unremarkable. No obstructive uropathy. Within the abdomen is a large sepated cystic mass with internal enhancement and nodules. It occupies the entire abdomen and pelvis. In largest dimension it measures approximately 32x33cm. There is surrounding inflammatory change and mesenteric inflammation. Diagnostic consideration is for ovarian mass/tumor. Bladder contour in normal. No inguinal hernia or mass. No focal osseous abnormality.
IMPRESSION:
32cm cystic mass occupying the entire abdomen and pelvis, likely due to ovarian cancer.
Surrounding mesenteric inflammation.
Cholelithiasis.
I also went to the department of motor vehicles today for an application for a handicap hanger for my truck. Trying to be a bit proactive here because I know I am going to need it for after the surgery. And I am also finding it rather painful to walk what seemed like a short distance only a few months ago.
On a good note..... I am going out with some friends to cheer on the FL Gators on Saturday!
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