Surgery Deets...

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Yesterday went stellar! Thanks to the folks from "Team Annie" joining me, and God orchestrating it all....
 

Team Annie

 

 

 

 

                             Eli & Daddy resting before the museum and operation...

Left Point Pleasant at 7 a.m. to make it to Philly by 8:45. Hit rush hour traffic. Got to U of P H 20 minutes late. Had the usual pre-something-stressful spat with Chippy in the parking Garage. No coffee and having to go tinkle with no john in sight - save a cold, lonely corner of a parking garage - which we did not utilize -  makes for a bad combo!

Pushed the elevator button to go to up 3rd floor and who did the doors open to but my wonderful sisters Lisa and "Gert"!  What a sweet surprise! Arrived to find Artis, the receptionist, all bubbly and perky, hilarious and consoling..."Aunt Nancy" was also there, waiting there to take Eli to the museum(s) THANK YOU, Aunt Nancy!!!! Eli had a rip-roarin' great time! 

I had made an apple pie on Monday for Dr. Tchou and while I was in the prep room the girls were able to present it to her which I was happy about! Dr. Tchou is a freakin' amazing doctor AND person! Plus doesn't she look adorable in her scrubs? Don't let her cuteness fool you though, she is BRILLIANT!

                                                                                                                         Dr. Tchou (Pronounced "Chew")

Went down to Radiology where they stuck a long 3" pin, a "marker" in my right thingy. Wow, what a hoot. And it hurt like hell when the local anaesthesia wore out that's for sure! I felt like a dart board! Then back up to wait for surgery. Had a wicked headache from no coffee..pound, pound, pound....ouchie, but I had to live with it. Everyone hung with me, except for when the girls went down to eat...I was starving...but I was okay. I knew I'd make up for that at some point in time. I told Lisa to eat a brownie for me and I'm pretty sure she did because when she came back up she was all smiles plus there was a little brown crumb on the side of her mouth (JUST KIDDING! LOVE YA LEES!) Many nice nurses and others took care of me, sticking me with all kinds of fun medical items like an IV etc. I felt in great hands the entire time as I gazed out the large wide windows of the hospital upon the gray, sturdy city buildings. I could also see CHOP across the street. I just knew I was in the right place, and it was worth the wait to get to U of P Hosp.
 

 Gomer...

 

 

Awesome Guy...I forget his name...  :(

Gert, Me, Lees....

                                                  My ugly feet in oh so stylish hospital slippers!I took a long nap, I was so bored plus hungry and tired from waking up at 5, plus all the stress...from 2 months leading up to this operation...Finally, I was awoken by this Doogie-Howser like anesthesiologist  "fellow" who came and explained all about the pain-killers I would be given during my operation...I signed a consent form. Of course I did!

Then I was whisked away I think around 1, I have no concept of time...down to the surgery place. I was yackking away 'til they put a stop to it through heavy pain meds in my IV and some mask they put on me to make me groggy and probably to make me hush up a little bit too...ha ha!

Then.................I woke up!

 Waking Up...

                                                  More Waking up...Isn't my sister Trudy a total FOX?
Believe it or not, I actually felt pretty good! Perky and yackking again! Surprised? I had some weird pshychedelic dreams during the operation. Too bad I can't remember them but they did involve a super colorful rainbow mermaid. (?????) Still had a headache, but wasn't hungry! WEIRD! So I just had some cranberry juice...crackers just were not going to cut it that is for sure...

Dr. Tchou popped by, she is sooooo wonderful, mere words cannot express it...Then I got "released" - got my walking papers....They gave me a bottle of Dilauded to take home (very nice form...we didn't have to make the usual post-op visit to the pharmacy on the way home....where you walk in all dishveled and crappy looking and humiliated with no make-up on and your hair sticking out every which way because you've been up half the night and everyone stares at you because they're all fixed up so nice... all showered with their make-up on perfectly and their clothes ironed and fresh as a daisy...) Eli & I took naps in the car. Chip was awesome, he drove there and back and made a kickass dinner too! When I came home I put on my new Hello Kitty pjs and plopped right into bed, and watched Animal Planet with Eli, as Chip served us dinner!

I now have two 1 1/2" incisions...one on my thingy and the other under my armpit. They hurt pretty bad so I am gonna lay low today and chill and take my meds. But Dr. Tchou is quite the artist I must say that. Her work is fine!

I'll hear in 7-10 days what exactly was found and what my next steps are....I was told by Dr. Tchou that I will have to go through chemo and radiation...barring any miracles - I might add - which I wouldn't be surprised to find because sooooo many people are praying for me....

But I have no fear for what is to come, for God is so good and the Bible tells me in Joshua 1:9 "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go."

I am beginning to see the cancer as a gift. First off, I didn't know you all cared about me so much. Thank you a million times over. Thank you to the moon and back as one of my little kindergartners says. Second, I also feel so much closer to God. An unexpected gift...a veil has been lifted....God is right by my side more than ever. (He was always there, but now I feel him even closer....as close as He can be...)

I am to the point of thanking God for allowing me to go through this...I realize that may sound very strange, but it is what's in my heart this morning...I am learning so much through all of this.....but more on that later...

Love, Annie
                                   Let's all admit it, there are times I've looked better...
                              but also times I've looked worse...and that is a pretty sad fact!
                                                           (HA HA HA! I crack myself up!)