I texted my brother the other day. Told him he better get a routine colonoscopy. Better off to know than to let it ruin your life. He replied something to the effect of "ignorance is bliss." After all of this, I might agree.
I visited my surgeon to have our final pre-op, question and answer session. After closer review of the pathology report, she told me I have pseudomyxoma peritonei -- an ovarian or appendix mucinous tumor which results in a highly viscous material. Think "goo" from Ghostbusters, infiltrating one's organs and wreaking havoc; it's the jelly form of cancer. It was the cause of Audrey Hepburn's death. It is a rare disease. A friend of a friend recently underwent treatment for the same such thing (although much further advanced in stage) and she ended up having an 11 hour surgery and a chemo vibrating treatment of her internal organs to get rid of the "goo". They shaved off part of her liver and a couple other places too. I feel incredibly sad for her.
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August came, and the appointment setter called me with a surgery date: August 12. There would be a colonoscopy the day prior (just to rule out there being other things to take care of while Dr. M is in there cutting and splicing together what is left of my right ascending colon). I arranged my schedule with my various classes, both at the college and group exercise. I'm out for at least a month.
The surgery and subsequent hospital stay went rather well. I had a constant bedside companion, and I'm pretty sure that makes a difference in the attentive staff. My stomach is now a constellation of scars. I've had two laparoscopic surgeries in the past two months, and I've seen varied results of what used to be my belly button. There's a 2 inch vertical scar above it too now. What was once the slender torso of a young me has become riddled with marks and scars, not to mention a good stretch from two beautiful children. I'm supposed to say it's all worth it. It really is worth all of it -- except for that little speck of vanity in me.
I am in recovery -- not just from these two surgeries-- I'm recovering from such a year. It is quite unbelievable and filled with all of the elements of some movie you'd never guess was based on a true story. I hardly believe it myself.
A man moved across the country for me.
My divorce finalized.
I accepted a proposal in what seemed like breaths after a failed marriage.
I got married on a mountain top by my childhood minister to my childhood preteen love.
I found out that my tubes were only halfway tied -- pitiful job by my ex-OB/GYN.
I had my appendix removed -- an appendix filled with a mucinous neoplasm.
Surgery on my right ascending colon to find more cancer -- but was found to be clear.
What other great and wondrous things await me 2015? I am in recovery for sure.
