Going home today!

More later.

Op all done and I’m in a fog and minus most of my esophagus. Hopefully also minus Ivor.

Sam, Tom and Sue came in to see me the previous night, but I have no recollection.  Apparently not a pretty sight.

Intubation tube comes out and I come to.  Anesthetist pops in and lets me know I had a huge reaction to one of the anesthetic drugs. Fortunately they got on top of it quickly and were able to proceed. Got everyone a bit excited tho.

Surgeon pops in and wants me sitting out of bed, coughing, and blowing bubbles via a tube into a bottle to help clear my lungs. Yeah, right. But I do, and even progress to walking over the next few days. He also lets me know that Ivor had shrunk so much he wasn’t visible to the naked eye. Now waiting for the pathology report.

Suck on endless shaved ice, and the PCA button which gives me an instant hit of painkiller and the “cough cushion” become my new best friends.

Saturday Sam decides we should do The Advertiser Quiz. We usually do pretty well at this. Not so well today. “What was the question again Sam?”

#notmybestangle #imforeverblowingbubbles

Ivor and I are off to the Best Exotic Wakefield Hotel in a few hours, and he’s not coming home with me.

Don’t imagine I’ll be posting anything here for a few days. Or doing much of anything really. Can’t even have my mobile with me.

Can’t think of anything even vaguely amusing to write at this point.

Thanks to everyone who has rung and called in with good wishes, and for the comments on the blog – means  a lot.

Send good vibes please.

It was a long, difficult wait to be admitted,  and even more difficult saying oroo to Team Helen.

xx

Last day with cancer I hope

Great start to the day with a message from Sam that he has  two days off school, and he, Cas and Penny are coming down tonight and will come to hospital with me tomorrow. They’d only just got home from a weekend here – poor Penny’s head must be spinning.

Some more work things to finalise and last minute shopping to be done. Shopping for what you ask? Heaven knows, but a girl can always shop.

Had a manicure and pedicure – girls were most perturbed that I didn’t want any colour.

Lots of lovely phone calls and visits from Friends who are being so supportive. Presents even. It’s not my birthday!

Then, a great end to the day – a massage with Sue at Endota Henley Square. We had both been given vouchers for Christmas and decided this was the time to use them. Had a massage before treatment started back in November and now at the end of the treatment period and pre surgery.

Come home and the Whyalla entourage is here.

One more sleep/awake

#Bookendmassages #greatideaSue

Getting closer

Some running around on King William Road and Goodwood Road for some final work arrangements, an attempt to find some decent hospital attire,  and a lovely lunch with good friend Jackie from King William Road at Stirling.

In between a 30 minute phone pre-admission consult with Amanda at Wakefield Hospital. Very positive and helpful. Seems I won’t need much hospital attire for a while, just one of those lovely green gowns, and some of those very attractive white stockings.

Will have a tube out of most orifices and out of a couple of newly created ones. “Tell your boys not to be worried – everything is there for a reason.” Tom, make sure you take a photo. I have to see this.

Two more sleeps – or in my case at the moment, two more awakes.

#thanksJackie #hopethegownmeetsattheback

Not quite up to it

Had fully intended to do my Monday morning yoga class, but sometimes a girl just has to take it easy for a bit.

Nevertheless the girls were having a morning tea for me after the class, and nothing, even Ivor (Tumour) keeps me away from morning tea.

Probably a good thing I didn’t go as they said a little yoga mantra for me during the class, and I have a fair idea of what that would have done to me. This is the girl who got all teary watching Lady Gaga’s tribute to The Sound of Music at the Oscars – but then, The Sound of Music does hold a special place in my heart.

Thanks to Jackie for hosting morning tea, and thanks to Helga, Virginia, Bec and Zac, Julie, Nicki, Jane, Janette and Shanta, for coming along, and your love and good wishes, also to Estelle in Salt Lake City who was there via Facetime, and Lyn and Helen who couldn’t make it, but who were there in spirit. Thanks also for your patience while I tried to master my new selfie stick!

#yesthatsmeinSoundofMusic #52yearsago #greatfriends #geeIlooksick #hopethey’vegot thisright

Back to reality

Had a lovely few days in Whyalla and we drive back to Adelaide after school on Friday.

Despite the best efforts of Cass and myself we were unable to keep Penny awake all afternoon so that she’d sleep during the drive. Never-the-less she was great in the car.

A great brunch with the Spencer Family and Friends Saturday morning, a catch up with Cassie’s Family in the afternoon, a swim at Henley Beach, and Katie and Ben’s engagement party Saturday night.

Sam and Cass left Sunday. Three days to go. But who’s counting.

Better make this blog live.

#Feelingnervous

Whyalla bound

I fly to Whyalla on Monday for a break with Sam, Cass and Penny.

Just gorgeous to see Penny at the airport to greet me (and her Mum and Dad).

She’s a delight. As well as doing lots of work, and getting this blog up to date, I spend lots of time with Penny, including a Gigglepot session at the library. “Incey wincey spider…….” When will they write some new songs!

If this isn’t  enough to get me through this, I don’t know what is!

Even taught her how to take a selfie!

#FirstGrandchild #Justgorgeous #OramIbiased?

I’m a girl around town.

Yes, I’ve still been working thru all this,  and I’m grateful to the King William Road and  Goodwood Road Associations, and other clients for their support and understanding.

I’ve also been getting out and about, with lots of coffees, brunches, walks, dinners, some yoga and pilates – thanks to a great group of friends who’ve been so supportive.

Also been to a couple of big parties – thanks Atmosphere Events and Flourish Gift and Home.

I go to a “Look Good Feel Better” workshop at Western Hospital. Designed to help women thru the trauma and side-effects of treatment. The wigs are fantastic – fortunately I haven’t needed one,  the make up demos helpful and the complimentary products very generous.

Been great to have so much to do to keep me busy and to be well enough to do it all. It’s tempting to say I’ve been lucky. Lucky? I’ve got cancer.

#that’snotlucky

One last appointment

Basically this appointment with my surgeon is to finalise arrangements and sign forms. Which we do.

He is confident. I am not so, but I guess that’s not surprising. I am the one going under the knife. 4 – 6 hours of surgery, 10 days in hospital, (2 – 3 in ICU, 2 – 3 in HDU, then a room), long recovery at home. Doesn’t sound like fun. Going to need some help folks!

My tumour has had various names up until now – The Bastard, Vlad the Impaler, Ted, and some others I won’t repeat. Sue has been doing some research (I was banned from Dr Google) and discovered that the Doctor who pioneered esophageal surgery  was Ivor Lewis (seems like an omen) so it’s now been officially  christened Ivor – as in “Ivor Tumour and it’s coming out.”

Don’t think Dr Bessell gets it. And I hope his surgery skills are better than his drawing skills

#haveaoodnightssleepthenightbeforeplease