Two months from today I will be down in Rochester, MN having my entire stomach removed.
This has been, by far, the BIGGEST decision of my life and one I will not regret. I have done SO much research and know this is the best route for me to guarantee I do NOT get that nasty cancer that took my mom and grandpa's lives.
I have had a few people ask me if I'm excited for surgery. Excited is one emotion I can't say I would put hand in hand with this....at all. I can say I'm looking forward to not thinking about it so much, looking forward to not researching it anymore, and definitely looking forward to not having those large odds against me (83% chance of getting it with a 4% chance of survival if I wait and happen to get it).
This has been, by far, the BIGGEST decision of my life and one I will not regret. I have done SO much research and know this is the best route for me to guarantee I do NOT get that nasty cancer that took my mom and grandpa's lives.
I have had a few people ask me if I'm excited for surgery. Excited is one emotion I can't say I would put hand in hand with this....at all. I can say I'm looking forward to not thinking about it so much, looking forward to not researching it anymore, and definitely looking forward to not having those large odds against me (83% chance of getting it with a 4% chance of survival if I wait and happen to get it).
With that said....bring it on!!!!
I can't think of a better place to have it done. I was misdiagnosed til I was 49 as having Irritable Bowel. 1997 had first colon surgery at age 48yrs old. It was Crohns Disease. I have 2 more surgeries since for Crohns and strictures. I am doing well and still have some colon. I live south of Rochester in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Wishing you all the best. I will follow your progress and know you made the right decision.
ReplyDeleteI can't think of a better place to have it done. I was misdiagnosed til I was 49 as having Irritable Bowel. 1997 had first colon surgery at age 48yrs old. It was Crohns Disease. I have 2 more surgeries since for Crohns and strictures. I am doing well and still have some colon. I live south of Rochester in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Wishing you all the best. I will follow your progress and know you made the right decision.
ReplyDeleteThank you! I really appreciate it. So far all of the doctors have been amazing down at Mayo and I don't expect anything different come surgery time!
ReplyDeleteIt's nice to hear that you are doing so well....wish they could have figured it all out sooner for you!!!
I won't kid you the 1st 2-3 months were pretty tough. It was a little easier for my brother. He had the benefit of watich my recovery. I'd suggest prior to your surgery that you find a very good protein drink that you like. It will help prevent muscle loss and will increase your overall strength. You won't be eating much early on, so it will help tremendously. After about your 3rd month you'll start to turn the corner. When you eat too much and feel uncomfortable and sluggish. Just know that eat time you experience this discomfort your actually "conditioning"your intestine. Your making it easier for it to accept larger more healthy portions.
ReplyDeleteEarly on you'll be consumed by what to eat, how much to eat and when. Your life will feel controlled by food or lack of it. You'll be experimenting a lot. Foods you like might be out of the questions...don't worry that will change with time. Each month will better and before long you'll forget about all the discomfort and troubling recovery. You'll actual have have some pretty goods feelings that you beat the disease. You'll begin to feel normal.
My sister did not follow the doctor's recommendations. She had a horrible approach to her recovery and thought she knew more than the doctor's. One of those people "I know my own body" types. Her recovery was more dramatic. Here cancer had also spread beyond the stomach, so here case was a little more complicated. She's fine now and just about normal, but I can't help but think how much easier her recovery would have been if she followed doctors orders.
I'm sure you'll be fine. A year from now you will find out that it will not be a life changing event. It will simply be a topic of conversation. I love telling the story...
Thank you for the tips!!! I'll take any advice since I've never been though this before and want to go into surgery having as much knowledge as possible. I'm not a big protein shake person, so I better get on it and start finding one that I enjoy!!! haha. I definitely don't expect recovery to be easy, but I hope I manage well and can move on with my new normal sooner than later! All in time....and my main thing is I need to just be patient!!!
DeleteExcited was never a term I used before the surgery either. I just wanted it over. I didn't the risk anymore and I wanted to get on with life.
ReplyDeleteYou will do great. You have a great team of Dr.s taking care of you. I have your surgery date posted on my calendar so you will have extra prayers coming your way!
Thanks Roger!!! I really appreciate it. Hearing how well you are doing now and having the same team that you did gives me a huge sigh of relief!
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