Surgery is such a downer.

It’s been a while since I posted an update about what’s going on with me. . . .

I had a colonoscopy in June, so that my new (and super awesome) surgeon could see the lipoma (mass/growth) in my colon for himself. He got some good pictures of it and they even gave me a tattoo! They put an ink mark that they will be able to see from the outside of the colon so it will be easy to locate during surgery- pretty cool, huh?

Then I had an appointment with an OB/Gyn at UAMS to discuss the cyst that was found on my left ovary back in the spring during my last CT scan. My doctor’s thought was since I am already having surgery in that general area why not take a look at the ovary when they are in there and see what it looks like, right? If the cyst looked like it might be growing, or had attributes that were unfavorable they might have to take my left ovary out. They said this would be the worst case scenario. So, I had to go see one of the OB/GYNs at UAMS. She did an ultrasound and in her opinion it doesn’t look anything to be worried about. She said that she would be available for surgery if she was needed, but didn’t anticipate it being an issue.

So now we know. . .gallbladder-out, right side of colon- out, left ovary- STAYS! Yay! I mean why not celebrate getting to keep as many parts as possible!

My surgery is scheduled for September 27th. It’s such a downer to know that this is just a little over a month away.  I wasn’t nervous until we set the date! But, I’m not really nervous because I think something will go wrong- I’m just nervous because I don’t know what to expect, there are so many “unknown” factors. Like they don’t know if they will be able to do the surgery laproscopically or not. They will try but because I have so much scar tissue from previous surgeries it will make it more difficult. And they don’t know about what my recovery time will be. Since they do this surgery more on older people who are already sick, I am hoping to bounce back quickly- but we just don’t know. I shouldn’t be worried. . .I have said this a lot and I truly believe it. I just really feel like with everything that has happened in the past year, that the Lord has finally lead me to the right place and the right people. I really like the Dr that will be doing the surgery, His name is Dr. Mizell. He has done this procedure at least 150 times, so I know he is experienced. He is very personable, seems to have a good sense of humor (which is a plus when dealing with me!) and he really seems to care. He could be faking it, but if he is, he is good at it!! We have been emailing back and forth since my last appointment. He has answered any and all my questions and super nice, too. He has just made us feel at ease about the procedure. I have never felt like a doctor was really listening the way he seemed to. And his staff has been awesome too. His nurse has called and emailed me both. He has several residents under him (it is UAMS after all) the guys I have met from his office and the colonoscopy were really nice and they are passionate about their job! Even though my surgeon has done the colon re-section surgery many times before, I think I am the first that has ever had a “lypoma” in the colon. ( Haha. . Imagine that?? Me? An odd case?? No??!!) He usually preforms this particular surgery on those with colon cancer removing tumors.  So he and all his students are "pumped" to see it (that's actually what one of the residents told me!).  I think I'm going to be a very popular girl in the OR?! There were 4 guys (yep, 4 young, cute, guys) that are residents under my surgeon that were there for (and seriously excited about?!) my colonoscopy, so who knows. . . I may have an audience! I keep thinking about Grey's Anatomy when all the residents watch from the "viewing room" above the OR, I wonder if UAMS has those??

 

My Doc!

Dr. Jason Mizell

I have another appointment with Dr. M on Sept. 21st, the Wednesday before my surgery to do all the blood work and pre-op stuff. . .I am not looking forward to that. I feel like it’s going to be a rude awakening. He has told me a lot of things, but I am afraid they are saving the awful and scary stuff for then, so it’s too late to back out!! We will see.

So my recovery time is kinda hard to guess. He said that most people have to stay in the hospital 5-7 days or until “things” start working right again. He said that 4 days would be the minimum and that was if I was a super-over achiever, ha! Lucky for him I AM!! Which will work out since my surgery is on Tuesday, I should be heading home on Friday, right?? I sure hope so!! I don’t know how often I will have to go back for a check-up yet? I am kinda assuming at one week and then 6 weeks? I keep thinking about my C-section recovery.  . .I had S on Sunday and was released from the hospital on Weds, we didn’t go home till Monday and I don’t remember much of anything till about Thursday (but that was partially b/c I got that infection and was so sick) which was the day we had our first company come over. . .but that is  11 days. That is when I quit taking pain meds and started keep S on my own, and if I was ok enough to keep a 2 week old then I think that’s pretty good. My point is that this surgery can’t be any worse. So hopefully the rebound time will be about the same. So even if I can’t drive and go into work I am hoping that I can do some stuff from home and not be a total slacker! haha! But who knows!!

Anyway that’s about it. I think. If you have some extra time in your prayers please keep me (and Jarrod) in them! I know the Lord is going to take care of me and everything is going to be fine and in 6 months this will all be a distant memory! But, boy am I ready for that day to come!!