Sickness and Surgery

On conference Sunday I wasn't feeling so good but I thought I had a stomach ache. The next few days it just got worse and I was doubled over in pain. I went to see my family doctor Dr. Chappell to see if I had a bladder infection or what this was.  After a few tests, we came up with nothing. He said he could do a vaginal ultrasound and look inside to see if there was anything there. We did and he found a mass 14cm by 8 cm large.  It was too big to see on his screen so I went to radiology the next day and they discovered it was a tumor on my left ovary. I went to my OB and he said surgery was needed to remove it and then a biopsy to rule out cancer. What?! I couldn't believe this. How did this happen so fast since my Hysterectomy less than a year ago? I had many questions and the most prominent one was am I going to die? I was very worried. My mother died from cancer at the age of 41. It runs in my family, I was scared, worried, and most of all, not ready to leave this life yet. The next 5 days were a mess of tears and worry for me. I couldn't die yet.

I had great help from my neighbors bringing me food and watching my kids. I went into Surgery on Tuesday at 630 in the morning. Grandma Vincent came up to sit with Cory while I was in surgery. I went in around 8 and it lasted around 4 hours. When they opened me up, the tumor had wrapped around my intestine and a General Surgeon had to be called to assist in removal. The process was long and complicated and they were very careful to get it all. I was finally done and in recovery.

I had lots of visitors, pretty flowers, and support. Cory took care of the kids in the evening and was super dad. The kids are lucky to have him.

I was surprised by a visit from my dad, aunt Deena, and Uncle Dale. They drove from Idaho and  it was nice to see them.

My blood pressure for the next few days was very low 60/40 and I was very weak. I couldn't eat anything but ice chips, and then I threw up for 2 days. I had a horrible migraine that made me miserable  so I asked to stop my medication and to only take Ibuprofren.  It helped. I was on an IV for 5 days with fluids and on the 2nd day my IV infiltrated my arm and had to be removed and placed into my hand. I hate needles. I felt pretty awful. On Friday night I started feeling better and by Saturday they said I could be released. I would be home for Easter with my kids.

I have been home for almost 5 days and I feel pretty good. The biopsy came back as not cancerous and I am alive. I am resting and we have had great friends and family helping out with dinners and the kids. We are blessed!