Sorry I have taken so long to update! It has been really busy around here! Last Thursday I had an appointment with Dr. Degges, the surgeon I have been seeing recently. He filled us in on the details of the test results. Basically that "harmless" lipoma in my colon is causing the intussusception (making the intestine telescope in on itself). And intussusception in adults is rare, but when it does occur it is because of an underlying problem, which in my case is the lipoma. It showed up much larger in the CT scan than he originally thought it was and he feels like it needs to be removed before it causes even more problems, like a full blockage or ulceration and bleeding. He wants to do surgery to remove the lipoma that is in my colon and correct the intussusception. I am not going to go into all the details but, he said that this is something that is really rare in adults and there aren't many surgeons with experience doing this procedure for this reason. However, the procedure itself is relatively common and he is confident that he will be able to do it with no problems. He welcomed me to get a second opinion if I felt like I needed to, and I might still but I don't feel like it's necessary after talking to him. When I told him how great I have been feeling the last few weeks he was shocked. He said there is a chance the intussusception could have corrected itself, but he still wants to take that section of my colon out. But, he said I do have some time. This isn't something I have to have done right now. Soon- but not immediately. I asked him if there was any risk of waiting and he said no. There is a chance that the lipoma could cause a blockage anytime, but I will feel it and know it and they will just have to do emergency surgery right then, but there is no way of predicting when or if that will happen. When he told me about the recovery I was stunned- 5 days in the hospital if there are no complications and 4-6 weeks off work! Wow. That info helped my decision to wait awhile. I have a major project at work that is due at the end of September and there is no way I can be off work for 6 weeks right now! But that is the least of my worries. I am worried about not being able to pick Stratton up for 6 weeks, too. It is going to be a lot of work for Jarrod- he will have to get him up in the morning, get him around take him to daycare, be back in town to pick him up by 5:30, feed him supper, give him a bath, put him to bed pretty much all by himself. It's going to be really hard on him. I know he can do it and will do it without a complaint- that's just how he is. But I am going to hate not being able to be as active in taking care of Stratton. I think that is going to be the hardest part, at least for me.
So, they have "tentatively" scheduled my surgery for Tuesday, September 28th. My thought was I should be done with my report at work by then and I want to get it over with before the holidays and for sure by the end of the year since I have met my deductible this year. I don't want to admit it, but I am really really nervous about it. Dr. D has done this surgery hundreds of times and while it's a major surgery he doesn't see it as a big complicated procedure, but I know there is always the risk of complications and there are so many things that could happen that could really negatively impact my everyday life. I am trying to stay positive and constantly reminding myself that God is in control and I need to just give it all to Him. That is the hardest thing for me to do because I am a major worrier! Please say a prayer that the surgery will be a successful one and the recovery time will go by quickly and I will be back to my normal life soon! I know my family is ready for that probably more than I am! Thanks for all the calls and emails, I really appreciate the thoughts and prayers more than you will ever know!