Doctors Orders

I hope everyone had a good weekend and that the week ahead will be just as great. 

Today I’m going to deviate a bit from my usual blog content and share a little something personal with you. While I share bits and pieces of my personal life here on my blog, I don’t often get really personal and deep but felt that I wanted to and needed today.  What I’m going to share is a story about remembering what’s important in life and having a PMS –positive metal attitude! 

Have you ever had one of those days when nothing goes as planned?  Well, Friday was one of those days for me. 

Back in April I turned 50, which most people are surprised at because of the great genes I inherited from my mom and dad.  Upon turning the big 50 I scheduled and appointment with my doctor for a routine physical and just to get a check up on things.  Everything was great and the only instructions that doctor had for me, since I had hit that magic age,  was that I needed to get a colonoscopy.  As a person who always (ok, most of the time) follows doctors orders, I scheduled my appointment right away.  I had to wait until July before I could get in to see the doctor but didn’t mind since it meant not having to drink that dreaded solution that everyone was telling me about.

The day before my appointment I miraculously drank every once of the solution and cleared my system to the point that it felt like it was “sparkling”.  The next day I headed to the hospital for the exam, was drugged up with propofol, and came through the procedure just fine.  As I came to in the recovery area, the doctor told me she had removed a few polyps (which a majority of people have)  but was unable to removed a small growth that she had found deep inside my colon.  The polyps did not appear to be of any concerns but she wanted me to see another doctor to have the small growth removed.

I made my appointment with another doctor at Emory University Hospital for July 15th. 

July 15th arrived and I headed to Emory, which is a maze of a hospital and quite impressive.  I got settled into the prep area and Dr. Cai came to greet me and let me know that the procedure I was having was similar to a colonoscopy but that he would be looking a bit deeper into my “cavity”.  I was wheeled into the procedure room, given anesthesia to numb me from the waist down and the procedure began. It’s pretty cool to be awake while you’re having surgery!  The procedure was over within 30 minutes and I was back in recovery.  Again I came through the procedure fine and all was well…I thought! 

About an hour later, Dr. Cai came in to tell me he had looked at the growth but did not remove it because it would require a special tool that they would have to order in to do the procedure. Apparently this is a very expensive tool that most hospitals don’t have on hand.  I was told I would need to schedule yet another appointment and was sent home with feedback that nothing looked to be cancerous but only the surgical removal and examination of the growth would tell for sure.

When the nurse called to schedule the surgery appointment she gave me some general prep instructions and informed me that my procedure was going to be part of a live broadcast and review at Emory.  What did that mean?  Well, apparently my procedure was going to be part of the working hospital education program and that numerous doctors would be viewing it.  I’m not the modest type so I was ok with that.

Fast forward to last Friday and my visit to the hospital to have the small growth removed.  Upon check-in at the hospital I was told by the nurse that I would be staying at the hospital after the surgery for observation.  WHAT!!! (not exactly what I said) No one had ever mentioned the possibility of me having to stay.. not the first doctor, not the nurse who scheduled the appointment, not Dr. Cai, no one!  Needless to say I was not happy because I had stuff to do Friday afternoon and I was not prepared to stay.  And, all I kept thinking about was my mom who was already worried about my procedure and knowing that this information would really worry her. 

Sitting in the waiting room my emotions ran from anger, to frustration, to worry and back again.  I know my husband was worried too but did his best not to show it.  Finally after sitting, waiting and thinking, I came around and told myself that staying overnight was not a big deal as long as everything went well and I was ok.  I changed my mindset, began thinking positively and believed that all was well.

I was prepared for the surgery and wheeled down the hall towards the procedure room only to be greeted by a “movie camera” and about 20 doctors.  Holy Cow, this live broadcast thing was for real!  Into the room I went with my last comments being “it’s ok to film as long as my ASS doesn’t show up on YouTube!”   The surgical room wall filled with people but the only thing that caught my eye was the anesthesiologist who greeted me and happened to be drop dead gorgeous.  He looked like Boris Kodjoe and asked for my hand (so he could drug me up)!  That’s all I remember until 1 and 1/2 hours later when I was sitting in recovery with a not so pretty nurse sitting by my side. 

The doctors came by to tell me everything went well and that they had to carve a small hole into my colon to remove the growth.  They also reminded me that I would be staying the night.  They didn’t have much to say about the growth but didn’t say it looked bad either. 

After about an hour, I was wheeled off to my hospital room and was given my fill of jello, apple juice and sorbet.  I settled in for the night and felt good, with very little pain.  (Question??  Is it really  necessary for nurses to wake you up every 2 hours to take your blood pressure and temperature  as if sleeping in a hospital isn’t hard enough)!  I woke up Saturday morning feeling good!

I was released from the hospital last Saturday and am now home, sleeping a lot, eating only soft foods and taking it easy, according to doctors orders,  All of  which (except sleeping) is hard for me to do.  It will be a couple of weeks before I know the test results but I feel in my soul that I have nothing to worry about. And, in most ways I am glad to have had this experience because it reminded me of a few things….

Your Health is Everything! 

I shared in my 2012 Goals blog post that I wanted to give more attention to my health and an event like this has definitely put a focus on that.  My mom always reminds me that without your health you have nothing and I don’t take that for granted. 

Family and Friends Are What Matters! 

Although I’ve been dealing with a little uncertainty for a few weeks and was worried going into the procedure, I didn’t let on.  My mom and brother had no idea nor did my closet friends.  I kept my concerns close so I wouldn’t worry anyone or let their worries affect me.  While I was in the hospital Friday night I sent out a message on Facebook telling my friends that I was having an unexpected stay at the hospital but never mentioned why.  I immediately received messages back with nothing but positive thoughts, prayers and well wishes.  Friends that I only know through Facebook and/or my blog sent messages, friends as far away as New York and Washington State asked if there was anything I needed and friends and family close to home offered up their help if needed.  This entire event reminded me how precious and important family and friends are and I’ll never take that for granted!

Your Thoughts Become Things!

I’m a positive person who rarely get down in the dumps, doubts myself, what I am capable of or what I believe in.  Every time I’m faced with a “situation” I have faith and believe the best will come of it, no matter how difficult it may be to go through it.  On those rare occasions when I let my faith waver I feel it in my entire being and soul.  Friday as I sat in the waiting room angry that I would have to stay the night in the hospital, I had to remind myself of my faith and change my mindset.  I focused on positive things and let the negative feelings slip away.  I reminded myself that Thoughts Become Things and nothing but good awaits me.  That made all the difference in how I felt that evening and how I feel today after the surgery.

 I will be taking it easy and maybe blogging a bit less over the next week  and will be focusing on what matters most….My Family and Friends, My Health and My Faith. 

 

I wanted to share my little story only to say I hope you don’t wait for a “scary” moment to remember and appreciate the good in your life. 

Pick up the phone or send an email to let someone you love know, take a step to make your life healthier and remember to stay positive!  Doctor’s Orders!