Friday, July 18, 2008

high on chemo

Okay, so I am sitting here getting my next treatment and I am pretty drugged. If there any typos I blame the drugs. It is extremely difficult for me to focus right now, let alone type.
My operation went well.
I had my hysterectomy on Monday, July 14. I am officially wiped clean. When I went to check in for my surgery they asked me, “Now you do understand that this will make you sterile?” I turned to my husband with a concerned look on my face and said, “Honey, we have to stop trying for more kids. Apparantly I won’t be able to have any more.” The lady in the next booth chuckled. She got my humor.
The surgery went well. I don’t remember much. I was starving before I went in and I asked my doctor if I would be able to eat after the surgery. He gently smiled and said, “Well, let’s see how you are feeling.”
I was told I couldn’t eat anything but clear liquids as of Sunday by noon. Then, my surgery Wasn’t until 6 p.m. the following day. I was actually scheduled earlier but the operating room they had me scheduled for was backed up. I didn’t come out of surgery until 9 o’clock that night.
Usually when I wake up from surgery they hold me in the post-op room to watch my vitals. I can always remember being wide awake, staring at the clock just hoping that it would speed up so I could be reunited with my husband. This time, I didn’t wake up at all. The next thing I remember after my surgery was my husband saying, “I am going to go home now.” I begged him. “Why?” Then I looked at the clock and realized what time it was. Where had all the time gone? I slept. Shortly after Josh left Dr. Lunt came in. I didn’t realize that I was fighting something. I kept batting at things around me and wrestling with piles of blankets. Apparently they mummified me. They wrapped me in blankets from head to toe. I had blankets around my bald head and tucked in every nook and cranny I didn’t even know I had. When the doctor came in he chuckled and helped me untangle out of the mass of blankets. I can only imagine what I looked like. He exchanged a few words with me, none of which I can remember and went on his way.
The next thing I remember was waking up to the light knock of doctor Lunt coming back in to check on me. He is such a great doctor. On Sunday he called me twice to see if I was doing okay and if I
if I had any questions before the operation. He called me again Monday morning for the same reason.
When he entered my hospital room he did his routine check up. He told me the surgery went well. I think he probably just repeated himself from the night before but it was good to hear since I don’t recollect any of it.
The pain in my abdominals was excruciating. It felt like I had 2 babies. One vaginally and one caesarean. My gut and my party platter hurt. I had a hysterectomy with a salpingo-oopherectomy. Try saying that 3 times fast. Basically they took everything. My uterus, fallopian tubes and ovaries. It brings a new meaning to the word sterile. They did it laproscopic assisted, meaning: They pumped me up like a balloon, made 3 little incisions in my stomach, clipped the uterus and removed it vaginally and took the rest out at the same time. Fun times.
I stayed an extra day and went home the following morning.
I kept the leg warmers on my legs as instructed. Dr. Lunt said that Cancer plus Surgery equals Blood Clot and the last thing we needed was a Pulmonary Embelism. I agreed and continued letting the maching massage my legs every minute or so.
My kids were sent out to different people in my ward so I was able to get some rest that day. But, then Josh called and said he would be a little later. I decided it was getting late so I would just go pick up the kids myself. I picked them up and brought them home. I am not suppose to lift anything over 5 pounds. Of course, I have to cheat. My baby is now 13 pounds and is starting to get too heavy for Drue to constantly lift him.
Josh's sister just got off her mission and his family is all down here. I am so proud of her. She is a great example to me. She went to Salt Lake City. Go ahead. Laugh. We did. She did great though and I really hope she moves back in with us.
I don't have any pictures this time. Just a whole lot of words. I don't have any pics on my laptop. They are all at home on my other computer.
I really love reading all your comments. I have had friends that I haven't seen in years and years and it is great reading your blogs and hearing your comments. I love you all. Mwah!

7 comments:

Ashlynn {mamabear} said...

I doubt you would remember me but I obviously know who you are ... first you grew up in my neighborhood & second I did your cabinets!

Anyway, I love reading your thoughts ... you have a great way of expressing the way you are feeling & dealing with life. The humor is great as well.

When I found out about your story I had just had my 1st baby & just couldn't stop thinking about how tough you are! You are awesome!

Elisa said...

Hey Paige, so your STERILE now?!? Ha Ha! I really laughed out loud when I read that paragraph...you are soooo funny! I'm glad all went well with the surgery (are you done with those for awhile?).

Lisa said...

Hi Pagie,
I am Lisa Evans, Raelee Stafford's mom, and Karen Esplin's friend. I have checked on you through your blog and I just want to tell you that you are an amazing gal. You have such a great positive attitude. I really enjoy your humor... I have learned alot just through hearing your story.
You are amazing, and I want you to know that you and your sweet family are in my prayers.
Keep smiling!

Alayna Williamson said...

Sterile? Really?!? I had no idea a hysterectomy meant you couldn't have any more children!! I'm sure glad they explained that to you before you went in for the surgery! What a surpirse that would have been later - huh?

JUST KIDDING!! Seriously, they really said that? I guess they have to cover all of their bases. Like when I had to write "YES" on my boob before they operated just to make sure they knew which one. I guess I was glad they were being thorough. I drew some pictures too, just for fun. I figured if they were gonna see it all, I might as well give them something to talk about!

Hang in there!!

Love,
Alayna

The Allred Family said...

It is so great to read in such detial about the surgeries. I really mean that. I don't get a lot of detail....and i love it!!!! PartY plAtter??? What the heck??? I cannot beleive you had all that junk taken out and then were saintly enought to have family around. Seriously Paige. That deserves an award right there. The surgery souns awful and painful. I am sorry to hear that....ugh. Julie said you were feeling good so I guess you are....are you??? We hope so. We're thinking of you!

Linds said...

oh paige this is my favorite post! i loved it! i hope your doing ok... you totally crack me up! i love the "sterile" story. duh! it's a good thing they ran that by you before hand. keep posting!

Charity said...

Paige?! How is it that I had no idea? here I am living in my own little world... I'm laughing and crying at the same time right now. You're so funny, I love your voice in your writing. You will have to publish a book after this ordeal. I really had no idea what you are going through. I don't know how to express my compassion and love for you with out sounding sappy. Plus my eyes are blurry. I love you!