so many titles for this post...

It's me cancer, I'm back! How your life can change in an instant. 1 week post surgery. Never trust cancer...
all of these work, but especially the last one. I was supposed to be "clean", so said my April scan. But the cancer was most likely there, masquerading as a part of my colon. I didn't feel symptoms until it became large enough. I'd say 1/2 a grapefruit pushing between my vagina and colon would do it. 
I went to the emergency room last Friday with symptoms, and after a CT scan, they admitted me. I stayed the weekend on pain meds, drinking bowel prep and eating nothing. Nothing. After 3 days of eating light anyway. Monday morning they wheeled me into surgery. My daughter recounts me saying "keep your fingers crossed", and the nurse responding with "that will only cramp your fingers, praying works much better". I have to agree! Six hours later they wheeled me out. Minus one 10 x 6 cm tumor, 2 lymph nodes and a shorter colon, but no bag needed, thank you Lord and Dr. J both. 
I am so grateful for my exemplary doctors and nurses. You are totally in their care. Half the time, at least the time under or coming out of anesthesia,  you don't really have a clue whats going on. Ask my family about that. There's that crazy time when you're inbetween anesthesia and pain meds and not in the real world. I had some scary narcotic dreams then... so vivid and zany. I was almost afraid to go back to sleep for where I'd go. 

As for the nurses, they are deserving of their own post, I've got a lot to recount about them. 
And my family... my support system, my rock, my strength. Thank you. I love you all more than life itself. Thank you for being by my side through all of it. I went to the emergency room that Friday thinking I would have some sort of procedure and be out by late afternoon, so I didn't even tell anyone I went in. I knew when I called my husband I wouldn't be able to get the words out w/o tears. "I have a mass" I repeated since I'm quite sure my first high pitched attempt was inaudible. He was there with me w/in 30 minutes and has been by my side ever since. He is a wonderful caregiver, the best nurse you could ever ask for. I am so grateful to be surrounded by family love. All my daughters, my sils and my grandsons are here. That's why I heal so fast... it's the love from all of them, it's the best medicine! xoxo

from up to down in this crazy ride we call life

I'm laying here in the hospital, waiting to go in for surgery this morning. It all started when I had symptoms that I thought were constipation turned blockage and was told to get to the emergency room. They ordered a CT scan. That was the big reveal.... no blockage, but a "mass", similar in size to my original sarcoma 4 years ago.  Where did that come from??? In April I was clean , so in less than 2 months I grew a 10 cm x 6 cm tumor that's invading my pelvic space...  It's coming out today.... I'll  keep you posted

life off the golf course...

because... a. it's been stinking hot here in the south, and b. because I've been traveling.  Last week we headed up to Cape Cod to spend a few relaxing days with my BIL & SIL. The weather was lovely and cool, and felt soooo good. We left there for Boston for a memorial service for my SIL's mom who had passed away from Alzheimers. A beautiful ceremony with beautiful music, and a rainy day, but perfect for a funeral... the skies were crying for her also. 
We left the northeast and headed south to Florida to visit with the new baby, while my husband was busy at a convention. All my daughters and both my grandsons in one visit! It was the best! The little one is growing and becoming more alert, and the toddler is everywhere, constantly on-the-go. He was great traveling though and slept both ways on the flight to and from Atlanta. 
We're all back home now and it's been a quiet day for me. I've done some unpacking and I've been reading " Organized Simplicity" by Tsh Oxenreider. Following her advice that stuff takes up valuable space,  I've taken everything out of every drawer and cabinet in my master bathroom... the little bottles of this and that, the freebie "bonuses", sorted through it all by what I use and what I never will. The sealed products will be donated and the rest tossed. I can't believe how much space I've created! Now, onto cleaning. What could be better when it's 90+ degrees outside?  Okay... I can think of a few other things to do, but organizing makes me feel good!

Happy 5 years Kelly and Lincoln!

 I have wonderful memories of the entire week, with this beautiful day at the end, or should I say the beginning...Happy first 5 years of your wonderful life together! 

click to see the slideshow of  the big day