My surgery

Alas, after all that I could do … and I was very diligent in my efforts … another surgery became necessary. On November 2, 2009, I went back to my oncologist who performed the surgery for me. He did a wonderful job with no complications this time … whew. But it was a bit extensive and took over 4 hours. He did a full hysterectomy, removed a tumor, took out my appendix (I guess the little guy was being destroyed by scar tissue and we didn’t know), and unglued my bowel that had formed into a brick and was then stuck to my back. Ye … I know. Ouch. Part of the good news is that my doctor was able to do all this madness through laparoscopic surgery. Other doctors have told me that this is VERY hard to do. But he did it, and he didn’t puncture or sever anything important in the process. I am so thankful to God and to him for giving me this gift. My recovery has been so much faster because of it. Last time (2 years ago) I had a full incision and complications, which took REALLY long to heal from. Oh, the blessings we are given! 

I left my sick little boy at home with the flu and went to the hospital for surgery - a terrible thing for a mother to do

My husband and mom waited patiently for the surgery to end and for me to wake up. They were so wonderful. I was in pain for 6-8 hours right after surgery because my nurse couldn’t find the morphine pump. She had to give me pain killer through the IV but it wasn’t cutting it. We were all so frustrated. But when the nurse shift came, I begged the new guy (a male nurse) to please take care of me. He looked me in the eye and made me a promise … THAT HE KEPT. He was so good to me. He made sure I got my pump and then kept the room dark and the hustle around me quiet. He was a blessing to me! I cried when he left and the madness started again. Mom and Eric did all they could to help me. Mom stayed with me for two nights. Eric took care of the family, especially my little Cody who I left with the flu. 

The first 6-8 hours after surgery were a real bear

I sent home to my little boy our special I LOVE YOU sign

My wonderful and protective husband

Home at last, my teens give me a snuggle and tuck me in to bed

I went home Wednesday night. Mom and Claire drove me. I was so happy to leave the LDS hospital. It’s not my favorite place. We drove through the Avenues. The Fall leaves were stunning and the air was crisp. I was so happy to be going home. When we drove into the driveway, Cody was holding a large poster that said Welcome Home Mom! He had a huge grin, but his face, mouth and chin were covered in chap from a funny nose. I felt so awful seeing my son sick while I couldn’t take care of him. But with my Mom’s help, we got him better and he was soon back to his old self. 

I only spent one night at home. The next day I had extreme heart pain and my hands went numb. Eric and our friend Dave loaded me in the car and raced me to the hospital again. The ER doctors thought I had torn my esophagus. But good news … I didn’t. After more CT scans we found that the air they had used to blow me up like a balloon for the surgery somehow got trapped around my heart, esophagus and lungs. They broke the news to me that they’d have to ambulance me back to LDS where the specialists were. I wasn’t happy. But Dave and Eric gave me a blessing and my body calmed down. I slept all the way there. They wheeled me back into a room exactly like the one I had just escaped. What a horrible feeling.

Claire stayed with me and took care of my every need - she stayed masked because she had a cold

Claire, Dinah and my Mom stayed with me making this stay much better than the last. How do people survive without loving family? Eric ran the business and took care of the family at home. He was so wonderful through this whole process. He wrote me love notes while I slept and left them on my belly. Two days later I was released again. I was free! 

My wonderful, protective, loyal, loving mother

Through the help of a loving Heavenly Father, family and good friends I have been recovering quickly. I've had a herd of friends who have taken Cody to and from school each day. My teens have tried to keep up on their responsibilities and my sister has cleaned and cared for me at home. Each day I feel such gratitude as I'm able to take on a little bit more. I sleep, read, eat, watch TV, enjoy my family and ponder ... the deep thoughts of my life and my many blessings. Don't we all do that when we're sick? I've enjoyed the most amazing meals brought to me by the Relief Society. Those women are so amazing! The Church is true ... in case you wondering.

I am very hopeful that after the next few months of hormone-free therapies, I will get back to my old self. I want to enjoy the next half of my life beside a husband that always keeps things interesting. Sounds fun, huh? It's always sad to wave goodbye to the childbearing years, but I feel at peace and know that the three sons I was able to give birth to were each a great miracle (Doctors have told me so!) and the children I've been blessed with through inheritance are such a gift. Now it's time to enjoy my children and help them get ready for families of their own. Being a parent is hard ... but oh so worth it!

We all suffer ... one way or another. But we ask Heavenly Father to help us endure it well. There is so much to learn from these experiences that bring us closer to God. Through Him, we can become the people He wants us to be.... the people he knows we already are. But I can honestly say, I'm sure happy to be on this side of my learning experience and not just starting out ... ugh. 

Thanks again everyone for your thoughts and prayers. I feel cradled by thousands. That's a pretty darn good feeling! Big hug back at ya'll!!!