Tuesday, July 30, 2013

I'm Back!

I'm back!  First surgery to remove tumor in my pancreas is out of the way, now I'm just trying to recover.  I got out of the hospital Sunday, July 21st. Below is a picture of me with my sister, Vickie, on the right, and my niece, Megan, on the left.  See, I'm still standing!

Ok so about the surgery, they had to remove the head of the pancreas, and what's left may still be producing insulin.  Tests are in progress to verify that one.  Until we know for sure, it looks like I'm insulin dependent, which sucks. The good, terrific, absolutely fabulous news...they got all of the cancer!  Thank you Dr. Flavio!   It's been almost two weeks since the operation and I'm not doing so bad for an old chick.  The stitches down the center of my body, and stopping above the waist line, were taken out last Wednesday.  However there were some fatty tissues that were taking their sweet time to heal so since last Wednesday, and doctor's orders, I've had to pack gauze into a hole that to my eyes seems to be about 12-inches long.  In reality it's probably about half an inch.  Nasty.  But it's getting better and I'm hoping that when I see my surgeon this Friday, I won't have to pack it anymore and the wound can get on with the business of healing.  I'm taking short walks mimicking the pace of an 90-year old woman but hey...I'm getting out there again. My oncologist will want me to start radiation/chemo therapy shortly, and I will find out a bit more about that on Friday too.



Stay tuned.  More to come on the saga that is currently my life.  Take good care of yourselves!


Life is 10% what happens to me and 90% of how I react to it. –John Maxwell


Sunday, July 14, 2013

Poems of Encouragement by Roslyn (Ros) Mansell

THE UPSIDE OF DOWN
I'm bound for a place called The Upside of Down
It isn't a city nor is it a town.
It's a chink in the darkness where the light filters in
Or the hint of a smile turning into a grin
I'm searching and seeking Oh! Where can it be?
An astonishing find - it is hidden in me.
The Upside of Down is the yes side of no.
It's just round the corner I'm ready to go.
I'll get there much sooner if I don't hesitate.
Now is the time - before it's too late!
For the Upside of Down will not come into view
If I don't lift my head and decide what to do.

The Big Moment

Well, it's the day before the big surgery and I'm not going to play the heroine in this show.  I...am...scared...to...death!  But...this surgery is the only way to cure pancreatic cancer so I'm also grateful in a big way that it is an option for me.  Yesterday I woke up in a funk though.  I'd pretty much decided I wasn't even getting out of bed, and stayed put until about noon, and then my stomach started growling.  It was a reminder that Saturday was my last opportunity to eat what I wanted, so I got up and decided to put on my favorite bright yellow dress, and a little bit of jewelry with a red knit cap to cover my head.  I hit the road and landed at Applebees for steak and fries, yummy, then two hours later I picked up a Big Mac meal from MickyDs -- oh yeah.   I took care of some errands and then stopped at Fred Meyer's for some cookies.  Somebody smack me!  I'm out of control in a real feel good kind of way! I'm so good at bad eatin'.

No matter where I went I'd hear something positive, "love that dress!" or "I love what you're wearing from head to toe".  Or sometimes I'd just get a thumbs up.  It made me smile and my spirits lifted to the clouds. 

I want to thank everybody who got me to this point.  Love you to the moon and back!


You've gotta dance like there's nobody watching,
Love like you'll never be hurt,
Sing like there's nobody listening,
And live like it's heaven on earth.”
William W. Purkey