Thursday, November 12, 2009

Feeling Better Thank You

I had the rug jerked out from under me on Tuesday, but today I think I'm finally getting back up and trying to come up with a plan. I called the urologist's office and got a long list of questions answered, and then I called random nephrologists and found one that could see me next week. That made me feel SO much better.

Everybody and my mama has been advising me to look around at surgeons and find "the best". I have no idea how everybody finds doctors that are the best, and googling things constantly is making me a little crazy right now. One thing that people have told me over and over again is to go to MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston. I really like my current doctor, but I realize that I like her because she is personable and that I honestly have no idea what kind of surgical skillz she has.

So I looked around online for a good surgeon in Dallas, which got me nowhere, and then I called the doctor that I worked for last month at the Fair. He is an OB/GYN and a cosmetic surgeon. I explained the whole mess to him and asked him what doctor he would see if he was in my situation. He stated that without a doubt he would go to MD Anderson, simply because there are doctors in Dallas who do these types of surgeries here and there, mixed in with all of the other urology stuff that they do, and then there are the doctors at MD Anderson who do these surgeries constantly. That makes sense to me. So I am getting that ball rolling, but I have no idea how long that will take or what sort of logistical nightmare that will be set into motion.

In the meantime, I have received tons of support and encouragement from people who are praying for me and who love me. I am a very very blessed chica. Sometimes, though, I think when people hear I have had a cancer diagnosis, they assume that I am dying, and I'm not really sure how to respond to that yet. I know they mean well, and I don't want to be flippant and say "Oh, I'll be fine", because it is really scary and there are going to be some difficult things ahead for me, but I don't want people to think I've been given a death sentence either. Maybe I just feel awkward because this is still very new.

It may encourage you to know that I've already found plenty of things to laugh about. For instance, do you know what is a really good way to get what you want? Say you have cancer.
Take a conversation with my husband about where we want to eat, for example:

Me: I want Chic-Fil-A.
Greg: Meh, I don't know, we just had that last week.
Me: But I have cancer.

Works like a charm! Chic-Fil-A for everybody!

Actually it only worked about 3 times, and then he caught on. It was a good run, though.

My friend Kim made me laugh so hard today. I was telling her about my diagnosis and the surgery and THE SCAR! (Dear Lord, I'm afraid of the scar) and her immediate reaction was to tell me that it was such a wonderful thing that I had decided to wear a bikini for the past two summers, because those days are officially over now. I probably laughed for three straight minutes. That's a good friend.

3 comments:

  1. A good friend indeed!
    I am so glad to hear you still have your sense of humor.

    Let me tell you something.
    My mom was diagnosed with END STAGE TERMINAL cancer FOUR years ago. The woman is healthier now than I am. I didn't think she would make it out of the hospital four years ago this December, and she is still walking 3-4 miles a day and living life to the fullest.
    Cancer is not a death sentence. Not even TERMINAL cancer. So there!
    I am so glad that you are looking for the BEST! Taht is really important. To find surgeons that do this all the time as opposed to have done this before.
    I am continuing my daily prayers for you. All will be well. :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. If you come down to Houston, I want to see you! I'll bring you goodies or entertain your kids or something. You let me know.

    ReplyDelete
  3. i fully believe that you will kick cancer's butt to the curb. you and that fabulous doctor you end up with.

    and your scar can't be any scarier than some of the flab I see people with who wear bikini's nonetheless. you, however, may have a bit more taste, and for this the people at the pool thank you.

    ReplyDelete

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