She asked about the lesion on the lung and I told her Dr. Saad had me set up with a pulmonologist. She did not see this as a priority at this time. She said this type of lesion is usually benign and as small as this one is rarely even biopsied.
Now there is a problem - the heart function when under stress. The stress test is nothing compared to the stress that the heart will be under during anesthetic and surgery. My heart needs fixed before having surgery. We discussed my appointment with Dr. Saad on Monday. She said there is another type of stent that is not as effective that can be put in that will only need blood thinners for one month instead of one year. She will contact Dr. Saad to determine what can be done to protect me from heart attack during surgery. She has scheduled me for surgery for April 18 at Wesley Hospital. Check in at 6:00 am. Lab work on Thursday April 11-exactly one week before surgery. Need to take antibiotics same day as bowel prep on April 17. I was given instruction sheet for that as well.
Karen & I were going out to eat lunch and were only 4 blocks from Dr. Strader's office when Dr. Elkhardbotly's office called to tell me I had an appointment with him this afternoon at 1:45. We had just enough time to eat and get to his office for the appointment. He is the cardiologist that does the heart cath procedures.
As we were leaving the restaurant I received a call from Ascension Via Christi wanting demographic information for Dr. Elkhardbotly admission. I said I was on my was to his office and could give it then since I was driving. She said it was for my hospital admission for tomorrow morning. What? OK. I pulled over and answered her questions then went on to my appointment.
Dr. Elkhardbotly told me there is a bare metal stent which is less effective than the drug medicated stent but it will only require blood thinners for one month so I can have the surgery for the colon cancer which is the number one priority at this time. He had me scheduled already for the following morning at St. Francis Hospital and was to check in at 7:30. I was given an instruction sheet for preparation and told to come prepared for an overnight stay if a stent was inserted and sent for pre-op blood work.
Well, this is to be happening at the same time I am to be seeing Dr. Awwad, the pulmonologist. I talked to his scheduler and after explaining to them what was happening and me feeling so overwhelmed I asked if I could just put this appointment on hold for a while until I have a better grasp on what is happening and she agreed that maybe that would be best for now. One less thing to worry about at this time.
Can you see why I feel like I am caught in a whirlwind?
The next morning I checked into the hospital for a heart cath expecting to receive a heart stent in order to get adequate blood flow to the front of my heart, spend the night in the hospital, take a month of blood thinners based on what 4 doctors told me after reading the stress test report. When the heart cath was over the doctor told me that my heart is strong, there is only a 20% blockage to the front of my heart which is really good so I did not need a stent. I am good for the colon surgery. Oh, my goodness. What a blessing! Either there was a false positive result on the stress test or, even better, I have received a great blessing from the Lord in healing. I was discharged from the hospital a few hours later with a very grateful heart.
I was to take it easy and rest for the next few days. I felt worn out from the anesthetic and my arm was tender. I was not to take certain medications until I heard back from the doctor's office after blood work again the following day. I had the blood work done but it was Friday afternoon. I did not hear back from them that afternoon so I was off the meds all weekend. As the weekend went on I felt worse. Sunday I felt terrible. I hurt all over like I was having a fibromyalgia flair-up and the beginning of kidney stones and pleurisy. Kevin & Donna came to Wichita from Kansas City to visit. It was so nice of them and I was sorry I felt so terrible and was not so social.
I still had not heard from the doctor office by 10:00 Monday so I called them. I did not want to head back to western Kansas until I knew that I did not need more blood work and that all was well. I did not get any results or information from Dr. Elkhardbotly's staff but finally got ahold of Dr. Saad's nurse and she said I could start my medications again and go home. I was so glad to get to go home. Later in the day I got another call from her saying Dr. Saad wanted me to have blood work again in a week at home and she would send me the lab orders to take in to the local lab and they can then fax the results to Dr. Saad. I have a followup appointment with him April 1.
I am so glad to be home. I thought things would be a bit calmer which I guess they have been. It has been wet and muddy--so muddy. Water even ran in the creek and the road washed out at the corner west of my house the weekend before I got home from Wichita. It seems I have either had something going on each day or I was so tired all I could do was sleep. Then I seem to be so frustrated with all the mess and all the stuff. Macie came over one day and cooked so I spent most of one night cleaning off every surface in the bathroom and kitchen and scrubbing everything down with clorox. That started something. I am now cleaning out my bedroom closet. I have taken out 2 boxes of clothing and have yet to go through slacks. I also have taken a huge sack of pillows and reorganized blanket tubs and dressers and chests. I have a bigger mess there right now. I have a large tub of items that will be for the summer reunion bingo that has also come from the closet. Imaging what I will get out of my house if I continue in this attitude. It would be nice and another blessing.
I had to do a pharmacy medication review for insurance this week and I was so frustrated. As I went over them with Christie, my pharmacist, we talked about all I found out from my research about the new drugs the doctor wants me on for the diabetes and what drug prices are even with the insurance. I have 18 prescriptions that I am taking. She said that it looks like some are treating side effects of others. She, too, feels that my medication list looks overwhelming and feels something should change for my own well being. I told her I plan to talk to each doctor as my next appointment come up to see what we can do to make improvements in this situation. I can't afford this - financially nor healthwise.
I feel caught in this whirlwind but I know God is in it with me. From the very beginning of this whole whirlwind I have felt blessed.
This afternoon I went to the mailbox. I only do this once or maybe twice a week. I had a letter from The Sheridan County Benefit Walk Committee out of Hoxie (whatever that is, I didn't know). I opened it and found a letter explaining they raise money in order to assist local families who are facing health care challenges or life altering situations. This is not based on financial need but is because the community cares. It included a monetary donation/gift check for $1,000.00. I am stunned!! I really have not talked to anyone in the community about the stress test results, heart cath, or cancer diagnosis. My family has been told but not really anyone much beyond that. How do they get their information? How do they know? I got a card from the Selden Sacred Heart Catholic Church Alter Society last week also. Mom has not been going to their meetings lately because she has not been feeling up to going out on her own. Mom said she has received money from this committee in the past also. This is another blessing.
Mary called me yesterday to find out when all our (Mom, Dad & my) appointments were and what she could do to help to take care of them. She was planning to take Dad to his eye appointment in Hays at the end of April but wanted to know if there was anything else she could do to help while I am recuperating and taking care of my own health problems and getting stronger again. Judy has also said she would do whatever is needed to help us all out while I am putting my own health first for now. I have asked Cathy to go with Dad to his appointment with Brian at the end of April while I am still in Wichita after surgery and Mary & Judy are working. Her schedule is more flexible with advanced planning. Karen will be helping me since I will be recuperating after surgery at her house.
On another note, Allen fell through an attic 9 feet to a garage floor last week and shattered his heel and has a compression fracture at the T12 vertebra in his back. He found out Thursday that the heel is mostly compressed and in line so he will not need surgery and it should heal ok and he is in a back brace and should also heal without surgery. He is recuperating at home but will be off work at least 6 weeks. Sundee is taking care of him and when she works at the hospital on the weekend, Chris and Donnell come by every few hours to check in on him and take care of his needs. He is blessed as well.
I have said from the very beginning of this whirlwind of tests and results and appointments and new doctors and more tests and upcoming surgeries and whatever more surprises that are in store that it is all a blessing. I am blessed. I have been blessed in the timing of the colonoscopy and the size of the polyp and the early stage of the cancer found. If I had done the test a year or two ago and been cleared for another 5 years, the cancer would have grown for 3-4 years before being discovered. This is a great blessing. To have the extremely high blood pressure nearly a year ago and not have a heart attack or stroke was a great blessing. To not have a stress test till now was another great blessing. To have a heart cath to find that my heart is strong and healthy for surgery is, again, another great blessing. As I prepare for colon surgery, I fully trust it will be only a formality to know that I am clear of any further cancer of the colon at this time and all is well. The monetary gift received will help cover medical travel expenses which is another blessing in a long line of blessings.
I am grateful to my Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ for all the blessings I have received. I am grateful for the comfort of the Holy Ghost. I can endure all things with them by my side. I know God has a plan for me. I trust in that plan.
