Posts Tagged ‘medical

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19
Jan
14

rapid progress

By thissideofgaudy Leave a Comment
Categories: Children, Family and Medical
Tags: , ,

This morning, the doctor took the bandage off the mid-line incision in IRP’s stomach. He had used the incision line that was already there and just had to lengthen it a bit. We appreciate very much that Dr.B has tried, wherever possible, to use existing scars to place incisions instead of making new ones. Since IRP is young (22), she is very worried about such things. Fortunately, TBF (the boyfriend) does not care about such things and has spent a lot of time up at the hospital helping IRP in any way he can.

IRP is also being allowed to eat soft foods. Considering the amount of time it took us to get to this stage after the last operation, this is really rapid progress. IRP has been up walking already this morning. The pain is also subsiding. This is really good since she has almost reached the end of the amount of Demoral (the pain medication that works best for her) that the hospital can give her. After six tonight, she will not be able to have anymore. Hopefully, the on-demand button and the anti-inflammatory will be able to keep her pain under control after that.

Thanks to everyone for their concern.~TSG

19
Jan
14

recovering

By thissideofgaudy Leave a Comment
Categories: Children, Family and Medical
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IRP is feeling much better. She has been walking several times today and has progressed to clear liquids. The doctor’s assistant was in and said things had gone so well that the ileostomy might be reversible in as little as eight weeks. As you might imagine, this cheered IRP up considerably. Thanks to everyone for their prayers and good thoughts.~TSG

18
Jan
14

The Result of the Most Recent Surgery

By thissideofgaudy Leave a Comment
Categories: Children, Family and Medical
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So, today IRP had yet another surgery. This was to reconnect her rectum to her large intestine after last year’s “blow-out”. It appears that the doctor who corrected her Hirschprung’s failed to get all of the affected area out. As a result, IRP suffered a ruptured bowel and spent three weeks in the hospital recovering from that and the resulting massive infection. A colostomy also had to be performed at the same time to give her time to recover so that we could decide what would need to be done next. I did not post about this and other events at the time they occurred because I was just so shocked and angry. We almost lost her!

The surgery today went well, but IRP has another temporary ileostomy. The doctor who reconnected her said that he had tested the repair and the reversal of the colostomy and no air came through either. He probably could have not done the ileostomy. However, due to what happened last time, he was not willing to risk a recurrence. He would rather take the conservative approach since another rupture might mean that IRP would have to have a permanent colostomy. Although many people live with this, we do not want IRP to have to do so if it can be avoided. Any prayers or good thoughts you care to send our way will be greatly appreciated.~TSG

24
Nov
13

good (and bad) for me

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Categories: Medical
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Friday, I went to an orthopedist to see why my hip and knee on the right side are beginning to give me worse pain and more frequently. I assumed that, since the original problem fifteen years ago had been walking to favor an injury in my back, that I now had arthritis in the hip and knee as well. I don’t! What I do have is bursitis. I will be looking that up later today to be entirely sure what it is. So, I should lose weight (I am already on that) and do exercises that will stretch and strengthen those body parts. I go back in six weeks and hope to report some success.~TSG

24
Oct
13

i ran, but i couldn’t hide

By thissideofgaudy 2 Comments
Categories: Anger, Medical and Thoughts on turning 50
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Yesterday, as usual, I stayed home while the college I work at held their annual “Pink Out”. As you can probably guess, this involves everyone’s wearing pink to support breast cancer awareness. I don’t work on this day because I cannot handle this; it gives me panic attacks. So, I stay home and do things I would do if I were on vacation.

This year however, I had panic attacks anyway. This stemmed from an innocent conversation with a co-worker. Let me say up front that I know this person meant well and is just concerned for me. When I said that I would not be in on Wednesday, s/he asked why. I explained that it was too painful for me and that it caused panic attacks. S/he asked, “Have you sought professional help for this?”. I felt as if someone had slapped me across the face. The “correct” way of dealing with breast cancer has so worked itself into the collective consciousness that my reaction to it is seen as a “problem”. If I had announced that I could not attend a meeting about SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) because I had lost a child in that manner (I did not, but I feel great sorrow for those who have), no one would have said a word. But, because I don’t want to be pink and cheerful over having my quality of life permanently damaged; I need help.

I do NOT need help. I need people to get that there is something wrong with this entire process. In the 1960’s, when I was born, the main treatment for this cancer was removal of breasts. It is completely ridiculous that, almost 50 years later, that is still the standard! Seriously!? FIX THIS! We are not impressed.

If I were to start a charity, I would call it FixThisNow. There would be no t-shirts, mugs or other merchandise. Every penny not needed to keep things running would go straight to independent research not funded by anything but those monies. No corporations, no hospitals, no drug companies. Then, maybe we could get somewhere because no one would have a stake in keeping this disease around.

Women who have had breast cancer are not the problem, regardless of how they chose to cope. Cancer IS the problem and we need unbiased people trying to solve it.–TSG

22
Sep
13

starting in early this year

By thissideofgaudy Leave a Comment
Categories: Family and Medical
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For many of us who have dealt with breast cancer, October is a month of pure torment. We steel ourselves to deal with an onslaught of light pink (side note: Why is this the only cancer/condition with a pastel color? We are not weaklings or children who must be carried!) and pressure to “contribute” to ending this scourge. Believe me, I have contributed. I signed over all the tissue taken from me (otherwise known as my breasts and some lymph nodes) for testing. The results of only using surgery with no follow-up Tamoxifen were also shown when I could not tolerate the drug without losing my sanity.

I do not want to be rude, but I have the right to deal with this in my own way. That way is to avoid it as much as possible. I do NOT want to buy or wear things in that detested color. I am NOT being selfish when I say “No, thank you”. I am trying, as best I can, to maintain my composure and dignity. Do people think I have forgotten what happened? To them, I say, “I remember it every morning when I look in the mirror. It comes back to me when I come across evidence of an event that occurred which I do not remember.”. I will never forget and I will never be the same. But, I will not let this become me. I will not center my life around this single event.

So, what brought on this semi-rant? This morning, when the alarm went off, there was a program interviewing a rather perky woman about her experience. There is much pressure on “survivors/victims” to play nice and be permanently cheerful when discussing this topic.

I will NOT play nice. This is not a nice topic. This is a war. I took heavy casualties in the battle. I will not forget, I will not forgive, I will not surrender. Please, can we keep the organized reminders confined to October?? Remember, you are wearing our pain.–TSG

16
Sep
13

at the starting gate

By thissideofgaudy Leave a Comment
Categories: Medical and Self-Improvement
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As of Friday, I was at 244. I am trying to lose the weight slowly, so my goal is a pound a week. And, I’m off!

08
Sep
13

it’s on….and i want it off

By thissideofgaudy Leave a Comment
Categories: Medical, Self-Improvement and Thoughts on turning 50
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Yesterday, I went out to get some new work clothes. I have long hated trying things on because I carry my weight in my hips whereas many women carry theirs at the waist. So, pants that I know will fit me in the waist often do not make it up that far. A case in point is the beautiful cobalt blue leather pair I tried on yesterday. I am in deep mourning over this because I love leather.

In my closet there hangs a lovely black leather a-line skirt that FMP bought me the Christmas RTA was one. It is a size eight and fit me like a glove at one time. Not only that, it looks classy and wears like iron. I am not going to set a goal to get back into it right now because I am in at least a 16 now. Instead, I am going to aim for the purple skirt I wore one Easter. It, too, is a classic a-line, but almost hits the floor while the other is knee-length. The size has long worn off the label and I can’t remember what it was. It is such an outstanding color!

So, here’s the plan: One regular soda in the morning because I don’t drink coffee. After that, water or iced tea. Walk around the campus every day at about 4:00pm. Take fruit to eat instead of something from the machines. Try to get a bit more movement in by walking over to ask people questions or relay information when possible and practical.

Why have I suddenly made this resolve? Well, “critical mass” has been reached; my upper story bounces when I walk. Although I have no feeling in the breasts themselves due to the reconstruction, I can feel the up and down motion pulling on other parts of my chest. This annoys me no end. I remember the sensation from when I nursed the children. I love them dearly, but it was always something of a relief to go back to my normal size when they were weaned. I don’t know what other women use a gauge of when they really need to lose weight. This is mine.

Those of you who pray are invited to join me in asking God to help me not crave sweets as I normally do. Thanks!–TSG

03
Sep
13

if i had been left alone

By thissideofgaudy 4 Comments
Categories: Medical and Thoughts on turning 50
Tags: , , ,

Sometimes, I wonder what my body would have aged like if it had been left to its own devices. In 2003, both of my breasts were removed and reconstructed with tissue from my abdomen. The medicine I was given to help prevent a recurrence of the cancer left me with (briefly) OCD and (more lingeringly) panic attacks. The psychoactive medicines I was given to help with this were known to cause weight gain, so my traumatic-illness-induced hypothyroidism went undiagnosed until I had gained some 90 pounds. Finally, I was thrown into menopause suddenly in 2011 when a fibroid tumor almost led to my bleeding to death. The doctors felt that, given my history of breast cancer, it would be best to take my ovaries along with my uterus. I am still dealing with the hot flashes from that experience.

I have two sisters. I sometimes look at them and wonder whether I would have aged as they did or some totally different way. I am glad that I got to age at all, but that doesn’t mean I don’t wish I’d been left to age normally. Could we PLEASE find a way to stop this disease so that women can age as they should. The mastectomy got rid of the cancer by removing anyplace it could go. I don’t consider that a cure. I know this can be done; many other cancers have a successful treatment. I wonder if all the hype is slowing up the research. There is a lot of money in “support” for breast cancer “survivors”. That money would go away if a cure were found. Do our “supporters” really want a cure or is the money just too good to let go? By the way, I am neither a “survivor” nor a “victim”. I was sick and now I am well. That is all! Now, let’s find a way to achieve that without maiming women for life.–TSG

03
Aug
13

the return of irp

By thissideofgaudy Leave a Comment
Categories: Children, Family, Gratitude and Medical
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Hurrah! The blockage in IRP’s intestine has resolved itself and she is back home. We are truly grateful for the prayers and well-wishes of everyone. Next week, IRP and FMP will be going to consult with a surgeon about the reversal of IRP’s temporary colostomy. If it pleases God, this will be the end of IRP’s struggles. Oh, how we hope and pray it is!

In other news, my brother is marrying again. He has been married to this woman before and we are very happy to have her and her children back in our lives. As a bonus, she will be gifting us with a baby girl in December. Oh, how we love adding children to our family! The rottenness in our family is unbelievable. And, it all starts before we even see the child’s ultrasound. The moment a child is conceived, we know that s/he is a person with a unique and special purpose. My brother and his fiancée have already refused the test for Down’s Syndrome because it carries a small risk of harming the child. Since nothing will change their intent to have Little Miss HM (of course she has a name), they see no point in risking her life to find out. Other tests that may reveal challenges but carry no risk of harm will be performed so that we may better care for her when she makes her grand entry. We are, of course, praying for an uneventful pregnancy and delivery, but God has a plan no matter what happens. Just because we are not in on all of it doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist.

IRP’s suffering also has a purpose. We are totally in the dark as to what it is. In time, perhaps He will show us. If not, we will trust until we stand before Him and learn all.

Hoping your weekend has started on such a good note,
TSG

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