Surgeon Says

I had a followup with GI surgery today.  The doctor who performed my surgery last August is on maternity leave, so I met with her colleague, who just returned from maternity leave.  I had met her back in August also - I think I met all the GI surgeons on rounds, I was there so long.  Anyway.  After reviewing my history and such she felt that fixing me back up was possible but it would be difficult (same thing my original surgeon had said last December).  It would be another long surgery with another very long scar and a 6-week recovery.  Given the big mess that was the second surgery, the infection that required it, radiation treatment and so forth, she is sure there will be adhesions and scar tissue, the extent of which is the known unknown.  She can't promise the surgery would be successful - they have to just get in there and see what's what.  All that peppered with the usual "but you're young and healthy" so I'd have a relatively easy time dealing with it.  And this time, I wouldn't be wicked sick going into it.

So... what to do?

I don't know yet.  I'm gonna have a summer first, complete with vacation, and then probably a fall and a winter too, before I think too hard on it.  I would rather get all the way back to normal, but had hoped I wouldn't need the giant incision, because 1) I already had one, 2) they don't have to take a million things out of my body, and 3) it totally sucked.  Remember how long it took me to raise my arms above my head??  And not walk like a hunchback?  Ugh.  I don't wanna.  But also don't wanna deal with the alternative for the rest of my life if there's a chance I don't have to.  Because, you know, I'm young and healthy.  At least that's what they tell me.

I was going to wait for at least one more scan anyway, in case something comes back and I need more treatment, and that won't be til early December.  Once again then... more news as events warrant.

Boo.

Scanxiety, interrupted

All clear.  Take that, stupid disease!!

Next scan in 6 months.  Big sigh of relief til then.

Scanxiety

I have a scan today.  First one since the end of treatment.  Appointment with my oncologist on Friday to review results.  I am not freaking out, yet.

Just like riding a bike

Yes, I did in fact ride my bike today.  I rode maybe three miles.  I survived.  My old knee issues - the ones that distracted my doctor from my GI troubles, way back when - have resurfaced.  First time I've had a problem in over a year.  I've been walking more, but haven't biked at all, so I no longer think biking has anything to do with it.  I just have bum knees.

I won't be biking the full commute to work anytime soon, but may start biking to Alewife station, about a third of the full route.  Baby steps... Or in this case, pedals.

I also participated in Arlington's Relay for Life last night as part of my daughter's team.  I didn't stay all night this time.  Just long enough for the luminaria ceremony.  Weird to be there as a survivor this time; never would have imagined it a year ago.  Sometimes things happen.

Traveling with my new... situation

I am in the airport.  I'm going to a conference for work.  I got here at 5:40am and it was packed.  

I was so anxious about remembering to pack my scissors in my checked bag and not my carry-on that I didn't think about any potential issues with security due to my abnormal anatomy and its necessary accessories.  The full body scan showed an "ananomoly" and I had to get pat down and explain the business under my shirt.  As it happens they were training a new TSA agent, and the trainer was explaining the play by play to the trainee.  In these cases they are not allowed to touch anything or ask you to lift your shirt.  They have you smooth your hands over and around it, on top of your clothing, and then they test your hands for residue.  I passed.  All things considered the agents were exceedingly professional; I was very glad, given this is the first time I've been on a plane since my cancer adventure, and by myself to boot.  

The real tragedy is the line for Starbucks was far longer than the line to get through security.  I skipped it and got some cheap self-serve coffee instead.  It is decidedly not Starbucks.