I have cancer....the road to recovery

[beeniesmom]

Slick, What horrible news. I admire your attitude! You will get through this.
Beenie and Frankie send lots of kisses and I will be praying for you.

[slick]

I'll be in Vancouver next week, maybe I can pop over and visit.

Amanada, I would love nothing better but don't forget it's a work week for me. I won't be able to meet on the 15th or the 17th but the rest of the week is fine. You still have all my contact info, including work number?

Catty, I see you mentioned coming into the town as well. Did I give you my work contact info?

Cincy's Mom, Seattle or Vancouver? Push for it, OK? Would love to see you again.

3) A good "poofer" is a great ice breaker.....Hey, whatcha here for?

Richard, I can always count on you to make me laugh. God I love you for that!! Say, why don't you come up and visit me??? I need someone to hold my gown together.

I just thought of two other scary things:
- getting a catheter put in (ouch!!!)
- using the toilet that other patients have used (up here there are 3 people to a room)

I know, I know, don't sweat the small stuff but these things scare me more than the surgery. None of this will cost me anything except the hopsital stay and I don't know if I can get a private room or how much that will set me back...but I'm going to inquire about it anyway. Actually, I don't even know if there is such a thing as a private room in VGH.

Happy Friday everyone and thumbs up for a happy and productive day! Meet me over at the bar we'll celebrate.

[dukedogsmom]

Happy Friday to you! We'll all help you get through this. I hope you have a beautiful day.

[emily_the_spoiled]

Hi Slick,

Don't worry, VGH does have private rooms. You should also check with your insurance because alot of times it will cover at least a portion of the cost of a private room (since they don't have to pay for much else in Canada).

Besides a pair of ear plugs might not be such a bad idea (just in case )

[Maya & Inka's mommy]

Oh NOOOOOOOOO, I just read this (was on vacation again)
Dear Slick, I am so sorry for you! I admire you for being so positive! THAT is the best attitude to cope with it! Be sure to know you have lots and lots of great friends here!! We will pull you through, no worries!!

[jenfer]

I just read this. Keep up the positive attitude and you will be in my prayer. ((HUG))

[gini]

Good morning dear friend.

I see this thread is getting a little crowded with responses! Way to go Pet Talker's!!!!!!

Thinking of you and hope you have a good Friday.

xxoo me

[Kirsten]

Oh ((((slick)))), I just read the news and I'm totally in shock!! But I can only admire the way how you face this challenge!! Being positive is the best way to fight the Big C. I'm also relieved to read that it's a tumor that doesn't spread, and that you won't need chemo. Also, I think that they scheduled the surgery for September or October is a good sign. Otherwise they would have sent you to the hospital right away!

But of course it's still scary. Some years ago, I was diagnosed with an adenoma in my pituitary gland, and even though I was told I'd probably won't even need surgery, I was scared to death. Tumors are always such a scary thing! And every time I have MRTs I'm scared it has grown.

I'm sending the best wishes to you for a full recovery. And I'm sure you will also be able to fight the horrors of the hospital food!

BTW, I totally sympathize with you regarding your discomfort about sharing your room with other patients. I HATED it when I was in hospital for my back surgery two years ago. Being the loner that I am, it was just horrible for me to have no privacy. That was the most horrible thing of the entire surgery - and being seperated from Luna and Lily, of course! I missed them terribly while I was in hospital.

(((HUGS)))

Kirsten

[momoffuzzyfaces]

Good morning dear friend.

I see this thread is getting a little crowded with responses! Way to go Pet Talker's!!!!!!

Thinking of you and hope you have a good Friday.

xxoo me

Heck gini, we're just getting warmed up!!!

We'll keep talking to slick all through her sir-jury never mind she won't be able to see the responses while she's in hospital. !!! She'll have an entire novel to read while she is home recooping!!!

Angels have been requested and are already there. So if you start feeling crowded, that's why!!!

(((HUGS))) from me my friend and
SMOOCHIES from the cat gang

[cyber-sibes]

Gosh Slick, you sure have a great attitude! I would be frantic. Will keep you in my prayers, and am going to look forward to that "see you in Findlay " next year! I had surgery last year and while it wasn't on my list of the most fun things I've ever done, I can tell you that I feel better than I have for years. Gotta keep looking at the big picture.

Recovery is a great time to do things you keep putting off, like reading, painting, contacting old friends. I developed a serious case of PT addiction while I spent 6 weeks at home!

[jackie]

I am so glad you are going into this with a positive outlook.

IMO that is a big part of the battle.

Hugs and good vibes coming your way.

[slick]

Hi Slick, Don't worry, VGH does have private rooms. You should also check with your insurance because alot of times it will cover at least a portion of the cost of a private room (since they don't have to pay for much else in Canada).

Wow ETS, you must have some connections to find that out from way over there. Thanks for the info. Since I'm such a big "planner", I've already done some research. My insurance through work will cover 100% of hospital costs for a semi-private room.....that cost varies depending on where in VGH I am. The new tower is $110/day and the old part is $75/day. If I chose a private room the cost is $150/day in the tower and $115/day in the other parts. The surgeon's office will book the surgery and at the same time request that I want a private room....although I was told there is no guarantee. So there you have it. Will probably not have any other update information until after the 17th.

Thanks again for your love and support everyone. MOFF, expect an email from me today.

[Dorothy39]

Two dates are "cast" in my thoughts,

August 17th,

August 24th,



Slick, You are an AWESOME person!!!!

these two dates symbolize my power of Prayers!!! I promise, I will be thinking of YOU!!!! You have got my WORD on that!!!!

[lbaker]

Hi Slickster, I just had lunch with ETS and of course we talked about many things (as usual) but also of course, talked about you. She told me about a shuttle bus that can take me right from the Seattle airport directly to the Vancouver airport. Only takes about an hour. Hell's bell's that's faster than taking a plane, considering the airport security and all. Sooooooo... *puts on thinking cap, gets out paper and pen, checks calendar*

[Edwina's Secretary]

Hey Slick.....when I was in the hospital recently I was given a private room (did not request it nor was I charged for it.) I am not sure why but perhaps being difficult and generally distrustful of medical personnel helps?

I don't know if you could ever be "difficult" but it might be worth a try.....(it comes naturally to me.... Be glad to give lessons.... )