Auntie Susu's Cancer Journey

As we walked, the nurse showed us to a private room. I thought to myself, how nice of her, she probably thought the little walk had played me out already. Even though I had not expected Michael until the next day, since I was allowed my one covid19 regulated visitor for one hour once a week, but he had called ahead to let the hospital staff know that I was about to receive bad news. My dad had passed away that morning. I wasn't ready for that news! When he said I have some bad news, I didn't know what to expect. I knew I had to brace myself for whatever it would be. I knew dad was getting weaker. He had not gotten the proper follow-up care since his heart bypass operation. He had one trip back to Sudbury, and they seemed to think everything was fine. There had been no further tests done, and he didn't want to go and do them either. He had resigned himself to living as is. The operation had prolonged his life, but didn't return him to state of youth and vigour. However, ...

After a night of up and down, and not much rest... I am awake.  I send a picture of me to Michael and my family.  My cheeks are flushed, but I look good.  My covid19 hairdoo has made it through surgery. First thing, I give a blood sample to monitor my hemoglobin.  The blood pressure cuff will come off soon.  All my vitals seem to be normal.  Steady pulse, no fever. Soon the nurse will come to remove the catheter, so I will be on my own to go to the bathroom.  Ok so this is a trick on me to get up out of bed... no rest for the wicked. You must sit before you can stand.  I send my sitting photo to my family messenger group to let them know I am upright.  I know my parents and siblings have been worried about me.  I am doing ok.  Next I will be up standing, and making my way to the bathroom with my dancing pole.  It will be with me for a few days since it administers pain relief through the epidural in my back.   Michael...

Finally, it is showtime... surgery date has arrived and I have no choice but to be prepared.  I am not fearful, but wondering what to expect. I follow the pre-op papers that instruct me to find my way through the Covid19 screening from the front door of the hospital to the pre-op surgery registration.  You would think I was trying to get through the airport onto the airplane.  I guess that is my best frame of reference for it because I have never had surgery, never had to stay in the hospital.   Once registered for the surgery, I am given a hospital gown and housecoat, and blue surgical slippers for my stay. Previous Next I am in the surgery waiting room.  I am dressed now.  I have been given my dancing pole partner which is not attached to me because the nurse couldn't get the IV in and quit trying after two holes because I said I was getting an IV for the epidural I will have inserted into my back for surgery.  I have be...

Yes, I had my emotional breakdown moment to finally accept that I HAVE CANCER! I can't believe this is my life, but it is. I do not feel sorry for myself, but there is a large range of emotions that someone will go through to let the realization set in, and assume ownership. Oh you bet I will fight, but how do you fight?? To me the idea of the best fight is having a positive outlook, and following a treatment plan personalized for me. Thursday, September 3rd, 2020 is surgery day to remove the cancerous mass and, unfortunately that includes the area surrounding the mass which is my uterus, cervix, fallopian tubes, and ovaries. Also, a sample of the lymph nodes in the pelvis will be needed. This sort of surgery can be devastating to many women of all ages. I was being told, "Well, you don't need that stuff now," because of my age. It doesn't mean that I didn't want to age gracefully through menopause with all my body parts. There is grief for this loss that I ne...