I have cancer....the road to recovery

[harpmom]

I am usually a lurker and not a poster, but I felt I had to respond to this thread. My father has had a carcinoid tumor in his abdomen for a long time. It was discovered, like yours, serendipitously, when he had an MRI for kidney stones. That was about ten years ago and they told him then that he had probably had it for ten or twelve years before that.

He did have surgery about 6 years ago, performed by a carcinoid specialist in New Orleans and has done well since. He takes an injection (I'm sorry I can't tell you what) every three months that helps to keep the carcinoid from growing. Other than that, his only symptoms are related to old age (he's 77 now) and to the fact that they took some 12 feet of his small intestine when they did his surgery.

I'm sorry you have to go through this. I pray to God that you do well through it.

[K9soul]

Slick, I am so very sorry to hear you are going through such a tremendously stressful and daunting experience. I want you to know you will be in my thoughts and prayers daily. You have all of us here for support and prayers, to help you pull through this, never doubt how loved you are. Many warm {{hugs}} sent your way.

Jess

[slick]

I'm still doing wonderfully and I just can't believe how happy I feel. I'm not the least bit anxious or worried......except about what I mentioned above. Been on the phone with two PT'ers so far today and it's not even 11am!!!

Gini Surprisingly enough, I have all those in my stash of halloween costumes downstairs. I'm off to get them packed.

Won't have anymore news until the evening of the 17th so I'll post and update then.

Note to self - things to pack
-nightshirts
-lots of undies and socks
-change of clothes to go home in
-Dad's housecoat (RIP Dad, you will be with me)
-Kitty slippers
-pillow
-toothbrush/paste
-lotion/vitamin E cream for my face
-shampoo / good Ivory soap bar ??? (will I get a chance to shower??)
-a good towel and facecloth
-man size kleenex (can't stand what the hospital gives you - 1" x 1" )
-cutlery (for when visitors bring me some of the good stuff)
-a real glass and a mug (can't stand those plastic ones)
-a list of people who might phone on surgery day - to give to the nurses and tell them it's OK to give out information
-a list of phone numbers so I can call from my room (probably won't be until day 2 or 3)

What to take home with me:
-a whole pile of drugs to make the pain to far, far away.....

I was telling my friends today.....and I know it sounds very weird....but....I'm looking forward to being in bed for a week and being waited on hand and foot.