Hi, it's Bea
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| Sat, 10-11-2008 - 1:33pm |
And I know I haven't been here too much, but this is what's going on. I thought it would be quite a bore to write about this, but then I thought I should tell you why I'm not here either.
About 2 weekends ago I ended up in the hospital with pain so bad I couldn't even stand up straight. This was 2 p.m. on a Sunday, and by 4 a.m. on Monday they got me in a room upstairs on the surgical ward. My regular PC came in to see me at 6 a.m. and looked over the situation, he didn't like the way things were being handled, and he said that he was calling my gyn to see why she hadn't come in to see me yet.
When they took the catscan they saw a growth or a mass about the size of a grapefruit. That's what made them keep me. My PC is an internist and he thought this was strictly a gyn issue and he was furious that she hadn't showed up yet. Well, he signed a release for me that afternoon, came up in person and read the whole floor the riot act--like why am I in surgical ward when they still don't know what my problem is, etc., etc., etc. Boy, did I get out of there fast.
He asked if I would go to Boston, I said yes, and he proceeded to set up an appt. for me, with the head of gyn in both the Brigham and Women's working out of the Dana Farber Institute. I had to go for a few more tests in Boston yesterday, and I was waiting for yesterday to go by to report whatever happened. So, here goes.
They found that I have a large size mass (or whatever) in my stomach and they won't actually know the whole thing until it's out plus the pathology report. There is some fluid, there is some hard. Anybody familiar with what "hard" means knows that there is a chance of cancer. My left ovarie has this mass attached to it which cut off the blood supply, torqued (twisted) and is moving everything around on my insides. Thinking I had sciatica all this time I finally reached a point where my stomach and back were just too painful to hang in there.
The surgeon explained the 2 different ways of surgery; one is to just have the immediate problem taken out, and if there is anything else go for a 2nd surgery. The other is to sign and let the surgeon take out whatever he might see that is "Gross" (cancer) and hopefully get it all done in one surgery. This mass is what is causing this unbearable backache, I am now at a point where I can't walk too well. He asked me if I minded if he took out the right ovary because in my time of life I don't need it and it could crop up later in four or five years on that side--I said take it. He said if the uturus had to come out, I said take it; he mentioned the cervix, I said take it.
The rest of the scenario is that if it's attached to my bowel and he has to cut some of that off, I will need a bag (temporarily according to him--about 8 months maybe). Also, if they find cancer, he will install the port while I am still under so I'll be ready for chemo.
I spent all day yesterday doing pre op testing, getting all the information I need, meeting the nicest people ever in the medical field, etc. They did this so that we won't have to travel another day to Boston for the pre op testing and basically they all said I was very healthy. Except for this bummer. This took from 7 a.m. leaving the house and not getting home almost until 8 or 9 p.m.
The dr. also teaches at Harvard, which we consider the best around here, and he cancelled his office appts. on the day of the 15th and set me up for surgery this Wednesday at noon time. Well, that's the gory story.
I haven't been here because it hurts to sit, stand, walk--and I know I won't feel too good afterwards. So girls, what can I say? I miss coming to the board but it's taking me too long a wait to get on
I hope everybody else is well, I posted to about 3 and then I wanted to do my own, so everybody, have a good day, and if there should be anything to report (ugh) I'll try to tell Ted how to reach one of you.
Hugs and love to all.


Hi Bea....I'm so glad I decided to check out the 60's Board today and was able to read your post right away.
Hugs to you and Ted too!
Carol
Oh Bea, I'm so glad I decided to drop in today. Sending lots of prayers, hugs and cyberangels. We're just not used to Bea not dancing around the room,
(((((((bea))))))))))))!! i was ready to email you
Thanks so much for the update. It sounds like you are in for a rough time, but if anyone can come out smiling, I know it would be our Bea. You are in my thoughts every day, sending as many positive vibes as I can.
Jacquie
Bea,
I was just coming to the board this evening to let the ladies know that I had gotten news from Elaine on the Granny
Dear Bea,
Thank you for the update of what you've been going through & what will soon be happening.
Betty L. Keep and Angel on your Shoulder & a prayer in your heart.
Betty L. Keep and Angel on your Shoulder & a prayer in your heart.