posted June 11, 2003 01:40 PM         

I thought I'd bring you up to date on Melinda's situation.

We spent nearly 2 hours going over all the details of the surgery with the Dr. and it was so scary. I realize as a gynecological oncologist he was just doing his job and is used to having to be morbid...but for Melinda and me, who have been doing our best to concentrate on her being well and the mass being benign, it was upsetting to hear him discussing the possibility of her needing a hysterectomy at 17. Whatever he finds, she will probably lose one ovary anyway...though if nothing else is wrong, her fertility should not be affected.

Add to all this the fact that my OLDER daughter must now also have an ultrasound tomorrow, because she's been having chronic menstral problems that being on the Pill has not helped...and I'm ready to pull my hair out!

So...Melinda goes for pre-admission testing at 7:15 AM tomorrow morning, then surgery is Monday (June 16th) at 8:45 AM and "should" take around two hours. Her sister, her father and I will be waiting to hear the outcome. They are trying to arrange a private room for her, and a relative is permitted to stay with her, so I will probably stay at least the first night. If all goes well, she could be coming back home as early as Wednesday.

I'll most likely post one more time beforehand, to ask you all to remember her in your prayers Monday.

And...please keep the rest of us in your thoughts too. As a Mom, it's not pleasant seeing my daughters have these health problems and being unable to "kiss it and make it better".

posted June 12, 2003 01:34 PM         

I can relate with Sister on this one. However, it was my Mom going through it and it meant a lot to her to have me there.

She's also right with the "dorky" joke thing. I was always at the hospital at 8:00 a.m. sharp! Wake her up... she'd get so mad! I told her that she needed to get moving

I would push my Mom around the hospital in her wheelchair... go down ramps a flying! Had those swinging doors, so I'd make her stick her legs out so we could open them! It would cheer her up! She's a Taurus... so that's saying something.

Just try and find something to laugh about during all of this. Will help take her mind and yours off it.

posted June 12, 2003 02:13 PM         

THANK YOU so much for saying out loud, "I think it was harder on my Mom than me." !!

I'm not taking anything from my girls because I have my own history of menstrual/ovary problems that resulted in 4 operations and ultimately a hysterectomy...so I truly do understand what they're feeling. However, it HAS been hard on me now as Mom, seeing them so frightened.

Yes, I am being strong and keeping my chin up...and making them laugh whenever I can. Having people like you, with the insight to acknowledge where I'm coming from, is a validation of my feelings about all of this, and it means a lot; it's just what I need to "be there" for my daughters...so again, thank-you.

PS We're all so glad we have our kitty, Arthur. His antics and the way he shows his love for us has brought much joy, and many laughs to us!