For several years, I’ve suffered from fibroids; for at least the past year, I’ve also suffered from persistent anemia because of them. I’ve tried taking the pill, but it only helped the cramping, didn’t alleviate the anemia, and turned my brain into utter mush. After a lot of reasearching and thinking (with many thanks to those of you who’ve shared your stories), I will be having surgery at this time next Wednesday.
Although I am absolutely convinced this is the right choice for me, I am understandably anxious about the whole business. But I am looking forward to reclaiming the active part of my life, of biking without fear of bleeding, of having enough energy to go on long rambling walks again. I’ve felt as if I’ve been living a partial life for quite a while, and I’m doing what I need to do to change that. So please, no horror stories, ok?! 🙂
What does this mean for the blog? Jeanne has graciously agreed to post an after-surgery update on October 3rd or 4th. I should be home by sometime October 5th or 6th; however, I don’t anticipate having much energy for blogging right away – heck, I’m going to be on medical leave from work for four to six weeks! I’ll definitely be playing it by ear, since this surgery business is all new to me.
Until next Wednesday, I’ll continue hoarding groceries, kitty litter, and books! 🙂 Many thanks to all of you for being part of my extended support system.
“I am very worried. How will Mom feed us?! And how much purring and snuggling will it take to make her better?!! I will probably need extra food and tuna to keep up my strength. Did she mention hoarding kitty food or tuna?!” -Chaos
Big kitty don’t worry! You’ll be so happy to have mom home and she’ll be so ready to give you extra pets for snuggle time. Of course having you and May purr (loudly) will help her heal more quickly!
Sending tons of good thoughts your way!!
No horror stories here.. just good thoughts and well wishes for a speedy recovery.
Hey Mayhem & Chaos.. make sure you take good care of your mommy, ok?
Poor Chaos! So thoughtful, more tuna to keep up strength in helping you! 😉
You know you can talk with me anytime! I wish I were there, but I’ll definitely have good thoughts for you!
Lots of good wishes for a smooth operation and a speedy recovery! I’ve heard that purrs are true healing “vibrations” so Chaos and May, you’d better snuggle lots!
Best of luck with the surgery. I’m so glad you have a guest blogger who will step in and let us know how you are apres-surgery.
If it makes you feel any better, I have an appointment with a neurosurgeon on Friday, so it looks like surgery is imminent for me too.
No, I didn’t figger it would make you feel any better. 😉
Oh, Chaos, I’m sure Mom will make sure you get fed. You be a good kitty while she’s recuperating.
Goes for you, too, Mayhem: no Addis whilst Mom is recovering.
I’m sending good wishes your way! Fibroids are a b#*(% — way to take a positive step toward reclaiming your life.
Chaos and Mayhem will make good post-op nursemaids, I’m sure.
I’ve been there, and you’ll be fine! Just remember to take it easy, which I know you will. I’ll be sending extra special good thoughts your way!
Keep an eye out for a box from Toronto *hee hee can’t keep secret*.
{{{{Hugs}}}} from us all! And Gandalf sez that if Mayhem feels neglected, he’s just a ping away.
Good thoughts for you – I know it will be great to feel like your old self!
Four to six weeks? That will take a whole lot of hoarding. Hope you have someone to check in on you! Heck! Hoping/wishing/praying everything goes well with the surgery and that you recover quickly.
The kitties will be wonderful nurses while you recover. Lots of purrs, licks, and snuggles, which are all well-known quick healing aids. I’ll be sending speedy recovery wishes your way.
Sending healing thoughts Chris. And if you get a chance to read (or have read?) Oryx and Crake, speculative fiction by Margaret Atwood, there’ s a part that says scientists discovered why cats purr — it creates a vibration that heals injury. So get purred over.
Best wishes for a speedy recovery. I hope you’ve hoarded enough yarn to last you four to six weeks!! 🙂
Can I bring you a meal when you’re back home? I mean, I’m one of your lucky readers who actually lives close enough to do this! Let me know what you can and can’t eat and what day would be best. I’m all over it! 🙂
I’ll be thinking the good thoughts for you!! And nothing helped me more than Boo cuddles when I was recuperating after surgery in April. Cat cuddles rock and you got two big lovers there 🙂 Best wishes for a speedy recovery, Chris!
Best, best, best – I’ll be thinking of you!
I’m sending big, strong healing vibes and will keep sending them until you are safe at home and cared for by C and M. Love to all of you!
Trust your instincts, it sounds like you’re making the right decision. I’ll be thinking about you.
Awwww…. I’ll bet the kitties have been hoarding fur and purrs in preparation.
No horror stories from me, either; just a piece of hard-won advice: make sure you have all kinds of help at home. And even if you think you feel good enough to sweep, vacuum or bend over to pick up a Big Kitty, let someone else do it 🙂
Eventually, you *will* feel freer than ever from all the bad business fibroids can bring.
Have questions or want to chat, please email me. I’m usually available.
We’ll be sending you good thoughts, Chris! That is, good thoughts from me, and encouraging tail wags from Chappy!
Best of luck with everything – surgery’s scary, but you’ve got lots and lots of positive energy coming your way!
Lots of good wishes for a smooth surgery and speedy healing. I’ll be keeping you in my thoughts. I look forward to hearing from your guest blogger. Good luck!
No worries, mate-4-6 weeks “at home” will keep your dish full. imagine each toe being worth 7 days.. The Addis will be flying (which will keep May busy) and you can supervise and stroll past for a stroke whenever you like. Besides-if she can’t go to work, she can’t walk you down to the you-know-what. All the visitors will most definitely be providing tuna (as well as company for your Mom). Go Chris! Enjoy creating a pseudo bomb (aka fibroid-free)shelter this week. The good news is that you don’t need to hoard yarn..it’s already there.
I hope you have a very easy and quick recovery!!! I’ll miss you but TOTALLY understand if you need a break from the blogging thing. Take care and I’m sure everyone will be thinking about you!! :O)
I know you’re making the right decision and I haven’t heard any horror stories to repeat, so it can only be good stuff, right?
You’ll be fine – thanks for the guest blogger to keep us posted, and come back for even just a few words now and again as soon as possible? We’re gonna miss you!
(and worry)
Chaos, worry about Mom, okay? Your tuna stash is probably already secured…Mayhem, your best behavior is requested…(but you can both touch base with The Meezer is you’d like, as she’ll be around!)
Purrs and cuddles are the best healing there is, Chris! Candles lit, prayers sent up for a speedy recovery and feeling like YOU again, soonest…and I’m sending
((((hugs))))
Best wishes for a successful surgery and a speedy recovery. And I, too, don’t have any horror stories — every woman I know who’s had surgery to remove fibroids has found the process to be just as described and the results to be well worth it, and that’s a good sign.
Hope you have a smooth surgery and speedy recovery and that all will be well.
It will be okay! Sounds like the right solution and I hope it’s very successful!
Also no horror stories from this corner.
I wish you a painless fast recovery. I only had to deal with polyps, but they give you good recovery drugs :).
My dear, not only more horror stories, BUT: when *I* had that surgery (for the same reason, might I add) it was (read this slowly, and out loud): a new lease on life! Someone said “you’ll feel better afterward” – and my goodness YES! After the first few days (during which you’ll have lovely drugs) you’ll find that you really CAN enjoy the rest of your time off. YES, get that pile of books assembled; get your stash organized with the requisite patterns and needles; plan to REST (give yourself the whole time – even when you feel better, you can tire easily). One last bit: get yourself a walkman if you don’t have one, and BOOKS ON TAPE! (or…you know, a CD player and CDs on tape; I tend to forget it IS the 21st century). The purrs, the snuggles and the combined affection and prayers of US will assure a fast and comfortable healing time.
Ooops….I meant “not only NO horror stories…”
Best wishes for a speedy recovery. And then, some good knitting time while on medical leave 🙂
I’m sure the surgery will go well – and you’ll be much happier afterward, I promise!
And to Chaos and Mayhem – just think! You’ll get mom all to yourself for weeks and weeks. There’s nothing like a captive audience!
Kona sense his best wishes for you surgery. He certainly is empathizing – he says to make sure you take your pain meds.
Chaos – you are the ever-practical kitty! I’m sure you will have everything under control.
Best of luck with the surgery. The kitties will be waiting to take care of you when you get home!
Chris – I will put you in my prayers. I hope it all goes smoothly for you and you come back to us better than ever!
More good thoughts for a successful surgery and a quick and pain free recovery – just remeber to tell the cats – no jumping on the tum for a while! 🙂
Get well soon and stock up on junk food! Maybe you can get ahold of some GF muffins!
I will be thinking of you next week. I’m excited for you — not in the surgical sense, but in the sense that you will be reclaiming your life again!
Chris- It’s all good. You will regain all your energy. Give yourself a chance to recover fully. It will be worth it.
Chaos and Mayhem will be happy that you’ll be able to play “where in the world is the black kitty?” again.
You will have so much time to read and knit! (Hopefully you’ll feel up to it pretty quickly.)
Everything will go well, and your reclaimed life will be worth it!
Good luck! I’ll be here looking forward to your return, waiting to see what you’ve been knitting while in recovery.
Do you get to bring the spare parts home in jars?
– or –
“GARAGE SALE”
That’s the best I could come up with for ya!
A good friend of mine had the same surgery a few years ago. Best thing she ever did.
I’d say “look after yourself”, but what I really think I mean is “get others to look after you”. The run-up to something like this is never fun, but it’ll be done soon, then you can get on with reclaiming your life.
Good luck, it’s a tough decision, but as you say, one that has a lot of upside for you.
I will be watching for updates and sending recovery vibes your way next week.
Chaos and Mayhem will be there for you I’m sure!
Good luck with the surgery. I’ll be thinking of you this week. (And don’t forget your knitting!)
I’ll be joining in sending happy thoughts your way, in hopes of a speedy and complication – free recovery! Take your time and cuddle the kitties – and thanks for arranging to let us know how it goes!