Surgery

On June 23rd I had surgery at Penrose hospital that removed "the Willma", about 1/2 my pancreas, and my spleen. I included some pictures from that time.

I felt like I was learning to walk again the day after surgery. It was so hard to get out of bed and walk down that hall. Showers were a whole new experience (thanks shan, Jer, and mom). I was in the hospital for 5 days. Jeremy was there with me every step of the way. I had high fevers at night and had nurses in and out all the time. I felt like a human pin cushion. Our family was there with me as much as they could be playing cards, walking, bringing me all the random things I was craving (thanks mom!). They were such a blessing. The doctors told us later on that the mass had abnormal cells that had gotten into my bloodvessels but that it was mostly ok and I didn't need to get chemo and radiation. Just get better they said.

I had lots of visitors and lots of flowers!! Jeremy burried me in all my flowers the day I got to go home and took pictures. It really brightened my room to have visitors and pretty colors all around. I was so high on all the meds and having reactions to each and every pain med they gave me so those days were a blur and I have no idea what I said to everyone who came to see me.

I got to go home and learned a whole new meaning to "taking it slow." It was a grueling process recovering from surgery. It was painful and slow. My family stayed with me when Jeremy went back to work and I had lots of friends and family bringing meals and things to take care of us. I wasn't allowed to carry anything over the weight of a milk jug for six weeks. I had pain for weeks and weeks after the surgery. Slowly I was able to do more and more things on my own but it was quite a process. And then all of the emotion of all that had happened hit me. The summer months were quite a healing process for us. I got really good at card games that Jeremy's grandma taught me. Friends came by as I got stronger and sat with me just talking and comforting me. My emotion was raw.

In July Jeremy's granddad passed away. It was very sad to learn of his passing and not be able to attend the services. Jeremy's dad sent a really nice email remembering his dad with pictures and things for the family.