About the Surgery

Yesterday, I had laparoscopic surgery to explore where my endometriosis was. Reportedly, the surgery went well, some of the stray endometriosis was removed, plus I had a tubal ligation, and probably a D&C.

Aside from feeling a bit sore today, I'm doing well. I'm slightly light-headed still, and my mouth is very dry from an anti-nausea patch that is still behind my left ear. I'll take that off in a few hours. My headache persists, and I'm thinking it's a side-effect from the general anesthesia, as well as air pockets near my shoulders pushing on those muscles that tend to give me headaches when stressed.

My Pastor brought me a gorgeous phaelenopsis orchid plant - a gift from our church. It's beautiful, and I'll probably post a picture of it soon.

To everyone who has followed me this year, praying and encouraging and supporting me: thank you ever so much! I truly feel the hand of God holding me up through the love you're sending my way. Thank you more than words can say.

Lots of appointments

Add one more thing to this month's procedures:

Cryoablation.

It's the freezing of the uterine lining with the purpose of reducing its thickness, thereby lessening the heavy bleeding, cramping, and blood clot problems that I have had.

So, this month is rather full of appointments, meetings, and procedures ... it's a good thing I have Google calendar on my 'Droid to help me keep it all straight ... from hair, eyes, surgery, massage, meetings with worship team, Bible study, mammogram, doctors ... and that's just my schedule - John has his own agenda I have to work around, because many of these require his attendance, too.

Many, many thanks to all my friends who continue to pray for me, ask me how I am feeling, and give hugs and smiles so freely!

Prayer points:

~ peace concerning March 16 surgery and March 26 cryoablation, as well as skill for the doctors and others attending to me

~ rise in iron levels in my blood, with a renewed energy level (fatigue is my only complaint about my health right now)

~ health to my eyes, with lower intra-ocular pressure, no vision/eye damage from glaucoma

~ good night's sleep - as tired as I am, I often don't sleep well. Sometimes pain, sometimes insomnia, sometimes a snoring spouse keep me from sleeping restfully.

Psalm 4:8 - I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.

My prayer in the fire

Well, another thing to think about just popped up today ... or, I should say, was just uncovered today.

Today was my appointment with an OB/Gyn. This is step 5 of my 5 instructions from the oncologist at the Dana Farber Cancer Institute in Boston. (Steps 1-3 are scheduled, but not completed.)

I have Endometriosis. Of this, the doctor is so certain that he would stake his practice on it. A laparoscopy has been scheduled to check on its severity and scope. He may be able to laser it away while he is in there. This will be an outpatient procedure and is scheduled for March 16. I've asked him to do a tubal ligation while he's at it. (I might as well, since hormonal birth control is out of the question for the rest of my life because of my hepatic adenomatosis.)

I am tending to feel like I'm falling apart ... again. I felt this way in 2000, when I had two parents die of cancer, two wisdom teeth removed, ulcerative colitis, almost lupus, and a lump removed from my salivary gland. The OB/Gyn recommended asking for a referral to a neurologist for my migraines (to rule out any more serious conditions that a family doctor may not catch). I think I'll wait until next month for that. I'm not sure I can handle more bad news.

Sheesh, now I'm sounding overly dramatic.

This is my prayer in the fire

In weakness or trial or pain

There is a faith proved of more worth than gold

So refine me, Lord, through the flame

I will bring praise, I will bring praise

No weapon formed against me shall remain

I will rejoice, I will declare

God is my victory and He is here

~ from Desert Song, by Hillsongs