Monday, June 29, 2009

Surgery went well!

God definitely took care of me this week...especially when I needed it.  The day of my surgery, I was very nervous and anxious.  As they brought me back to get me prepped for surgery I was assigned a nurse that was gift from God.  She was a cancer survivor and living cancer free for over a year now.  Being able to talk about our journeys together gave me a sense of peace and relieved my anxiety.  She was such an encouragement to me.  Little does she know how much she did for me that day.   The surgery went smooth and I woke up nausea free.  The doctors were awesome and did a great job!

The next day, I had to go to my daily radiation therapy session.  I was so weak and not feeling well from the surgery so I was having a hard time thinking about being pinned down to the table with the mask on.  I was in tears in the waiting room really needing a break to recover.  Surprise, surprise, the machine broke down so I was able to have the break I so needed.  Another gift from God!  

The first few days following surgery I was pretty sore.  I spent a lot of time in bed and sleeping. But, I am already feeling so much relief not having the pressure to eat.  I am so glad I made the decision to have feeding tube put in.  

Exhaustion is starting to set in and I have been taking a lot more naps lately.  They were right when they said radiation will literally zap you from all of your energy.  I am feeling very out of sorts lately.  The combination of surgery, new pain meds and radiation/chemo has really taken its toll.  My body is trying so hard to adjust...I have never been one to handle medications very well.  I am just glad the surgery is over so that I can now focus on getting to the end.  Once this week is over, there will only be 3 weeks left.  

Thank you to all of you that prayed for me during my surgery.  I definitely was at peace and felt your prayers.  Please continue to pray that my side effects will be manageable, that the vision in my right eye will be spared and that the cancer will be gone after radiation is completed!

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

Sue,

Been wondering how everything went. Great to hear a good report. Continuing to keep you in our prayers.

Mark K.

Anonymous said...

Jason said the surgery went well and that you were pretty tired from it. I'm glad you are starting to come around. And it's great that you are seeing the end of the treatments. That alone will give you strength to get through it. I always say I can get through anything as long as I know there is an end in sight. Keep fighting Sue, believe, you know you can do it.

Susan Thomas

Anna Raese said...

God is so awesome! Knowing full well you needed a break the machine breaks down. That is totally God at work!! Love it!! I will continue to pray you through the next three weeks!!! You can do it!!

Anonymous said...

It is amazing at how God sends us little gifts. Nurses, breaking machines, hats, baby birds... :)

You can do this, Sue! I know you can! (Face slap already in motion. Go ahead, say it..."SHUT UP! YOU do this!") But imagine my two arms reaching through the computer screen in front of you. Here they come....SQUEEEEZE! Yes, you can! If I can do it, you can do it!

My cancer was not in my face. But I did lose my vision for a couple of weeks due to a stroke...a fluke as a result from my chemo. Most of the effects did up reversing themselves, but I remember "bargaining" with God...I'll trade a little vision to feel better...PLEEEEZE!

Scary. Frustrating. Overwhelming. Exhausting. Sick and tired of being sick and tired...and people telling you what you can or cannot do.

SQEEEEEZE....! We are praying for you every step of the way, my friend. Every step of the way...

Anonymous said...

Jami Helvick

Jen Zick said...

Praise God for a good surgical outcome...and so glad you're already more than 1/2-way through radiation. Someday you'll be the inspiration for others the way that nurse was for you!
Hugs, Jen

Anonymous said...

I am so excited to get such a great update! I know you are being watched over and taken care of and it was proven to you on surgery day. Keep up the hope and count the days until you have completed your treatment. You are such a strong person, you can do it!!!!!

Ruth L.

Anonymous said...

Sue,

I'm glad to see such a great report from your last week. I know you can't have many moments without a smile around your house with the two beautiful daughters you have. Their energy and happiness lit up our house this morning.

Jeremy