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I just want to let people know that I had my lumpectomy surgery this past Thursday (Nov. 7th) and everything went fantastically. All IWK staff were incredible to me.
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The only weird thing was that apparently while I was in surgery, one of the recovery room staff tried to poach my attendant, saying: "I have a relative like her. I want you to come work and look after her." Hmm, somebody has zero scruples.
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When I got home on Friday, I felt great, but I think much of that day's high was adrenaline and a kind of after shock.
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By Saturday morning however, I realized that often I expect faaar toooo much of myself. I always like to see myself as similar to The Energizer Bunny, where I just keep going & going & going; and while I really enjoyed thinking that I had sailed through it all, I honestly felt like crap pretty much all day Saturday. I also think I was/am in the process of yet passing another kidney stone. So Saturday WAS NOT a fun day!
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Still, I am extremely grateful to be doing as well as I am and I am immensely grateful to have my awesome attendants.
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Having never personally travelled the Cancer trail before, this is a whole new rodeo for me and my attendants. I know often these days many believe in "boundaries" between staff and employers. Personally, I think that's a load of crap! I think we should honestly care about and care for each other far more than many do. My attendants become a BIG part of "my adopted family" and I attend to them as much as they do me. People don't realize that it's very much a two-way street, in part because ableist attitudes still prevail. Nonetheless it is so; and with that two-way street, we become a tight little bunch, and to me, that's how we should treat each other.
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I am also incredibly grateful to have so, so, so, many people in my life who care so much about me and my well being. I've been getting emails, & messages, & texts, and while I can't respond as fast as I want to, I appreciate each communication more than I can ever say.
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Yesterday (Sunday) morning I was up to attending my church, and for me personally, my church is home. I am comfortable there. People I love & care about are there, and again, I know it's very much a two-way street; and as I think about those so, so, so, many people in my life (literally world-wide) who care about me and are praying for me, my mind boggles. It's such an overwhelming reality in my life, and again when thinking about this, I remember an absolute favourite quotes from my Grace College days. "The greatest mystery in my life, is why my friends love me so much." Truer words I cannot possibly utter and I thank and praise the God that I believe in for all of this.
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Going forward, my followup appointment is early in December and a month or two after that there'll be Radiation treatments. Still, I feel I am so fortunate, and I thank each of you for being in my corner through all of this.
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Once again, if you'd like to encourage others by sharing your efforts, just email me any details, and INDICATE WHICH DETAILS YOU WISH TO SHARE, and I'll mention them in future send outs.
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And don't forget, tthese are a few things anyone can easily do:
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- Women - BOOK A MAMMOGRAM! and encourage EVERY woman you know to do likewise.
- Men - Encourage EVERY woman you know to book a mammogram.
- Men - Movember is here. Get checked for Colon, Prostate, and Testicular Cancer, and bug all your friends to also do so.
- Women - Remind every man you know about Movember, and strongly encourage each one of the men you know to get tested.
- Beyond that: Your prayers, positive thoughts & energy, visits, jokes, laughs, etc., will all be very much appreciated, by me, and by others.
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