Post Surgery

Blogging from my home away from home for the last four days (Fox Chase Cancer Center in Philly). "What time I am afraid I will trust in you." I have needed this verse as I approached surgery. God kept reminding me through songs and other verses about how he led the Israelites through The  Red Sea. Nothing is too hard for Him. I could feel the prayers being prayed for me. Whenever I felt terrified, remembering that nothing is impossible for  God and that many were holding me up in prayer helped calm me quickly. Through this experience the whole idea of bearing one another;s burdens has come alive for me.

Bad news first because I want to end on a positive note. Sorry for whining but I want to be real. Surgery was about 3 hours and I woke up with a considerable amount of pain. I stayed in recovery until they got that under control. The pain is still there but because of the pain meds it is not there all the time. I have been running a low grade fever. It hurts to breathe so I am not getting enough oxygen. I am on an oxygen tank. Apparently, I am not drinking enough so They have to give me IV fluids. It is difficult to stand up straight but I am trying to walk around the halls. Once I got the epidural and catheter out that was easier. The incision is about four inches long and seems to be healing nicely. I am trying to eat but my appetite is not good.

Good news and plenty of it. Right before surgery I checked the results of recent blood tests and saw that my CA 125 (cancer indicator for Ovarian cancer) Had gone from 770 to 294 in one month. That was super encouragement and it gave me some hope. I have a beautiful room to myself and all the staff have been great. The surgery was "wildly successful" in that the doctor was able to remove all visible signs of cancer and it had not affected any other organs. I am able to move around slowly and take short walks in the halls. I am so thankful that I am on the other side of this surgery. I am so thankful for all those thinking of me and praying for me. I told the surgeon people were praying and he responded "that is a good thing." Except for the first time I tried to get up and walk around I have not had nausea. I am hoping to go home today (Monday). I am looking forward to getting the pink bike out and riding it on the boardwalk in a few months. :-)