Healing After Surgery

Wednesday was a week today since I left the hospital.  Friday it will be two weeks since my surgery.  I'm home and trying to get my strength back up.  The doctor was not kidding when he said that it is a very painful surgery.  But, I'm finally down to one pain pill a day.  The one pill is usually in the evenings.  It's one thing to have some pain or be uncomfortable during the day, but trying to sleep when your hurting is difficult.  I still get tired easily.  Yesterday I decided to make cookie dough and freeze it for Easter.  Between the breaks that I had to take, the two hour task ended up most of the day.  So, I can see why the doctors have told me not to rush back to work.  My body is still healing and it's a slow process.

I had my PCP appointment yesterday.  What really surprised me was the many questions the nurse asked me about my mental state.  I love how they are looking at the whole body, not just the physical.  So I was curious and looked it up.  Most studies show about 1 in 3 people diagnosed with cancer experience anxiety, depression, or other emotional distress.  I get that.  Watching my dad die of colon cancer is still in the back of my mind when I get tested for something. I will probably always have that anxiety that comes with cancer.  Now that my body has had one cancer tumor, it has become even more real to me.  That's why I'm digging into more books and research articles to help prevent having cancer again.

However,  this point, I am grateful.  My PCP told me that I've had a rough 6 months.  And, I have.  From a gallbladder that was twisted and could have exploded and killed me.  To a cancer tumor that we caught before it spread.  My physical body has had a lot of people digging in there in a short amount of time.  It may not be over yet either.  I still have cyst on one of my ovaries.  I have another ultrasound and gynecologist appointment the first of June to see if it's grown or changed any.  I believe that is the last big thing that was on my list that was handed to me in October after my CT scan. 

Yet, through everything I thank God.  Not everyone's prognosis is as good as mine.  That CT scan has saved my life.  My gallbladder, kidney, or ovary did not show any issues in any bloodwork.  There were no flags.  No high or low numbers to be concerned about.  They were not causing me pain.  There is no reason to look at those organs.  I think that kind of amplifies my anxiety a little bit!  Because according to my bloodwork --- I was fine.  So, for me, I'm going keep putting that anxiety at the feet of Jesus.  Even if I pick it up again to worry and stress.  I know if I keep handing it over to Jesus, the anxiety will get less and less.  I'm going to keep reading and educating myself.  Keep doing what I can do be here a little longer with my family.