Surgery--Again

<tapping feet>
<braiding hair>

chewing cuticles...
looking at the clock....

<making onion soup>











okaaaaaaaaay... virtually ...

Saw all the doctors who were there on Monday. They tried like crazy to get at the damned tumor. Discussed their muscles. (Probably why I'm so sore.) It boiled down to my teeth being present and my neck being too short. The angle of the tumor made it inaccessible.

I'll be undergoing radiation. Gag. I have three appointments next week. One to have my teeth checked. They're in bad shape. Do I have money for dentists? I hope this doesn't present a problem. Damned teeth. One to have my swallow checked (with barium). And one for something else--I think a speech therapist. (It's written down.)

The airway problem/flapping is a result of some major swelling. I've been given something to reduce the swelling. Got the prescription filled and already took a pill. Hoping for more than an hour of sleep at a stretch.

Met with the a finance person. I make too much money for Medicaid, so the hospital will foot the bill! It was that simple. Gave them a few estimates of my income and expenses. Voila.

I wonder if they'd like to pay my rent while they're at it.

All in all, not a terrible day. But I still haven't recovered from Monday, which was terrible enough for two days. Even the docs were kvetching about that one.

Gearing up for 5 days a week for 6 weeks of radiation.

I asked whether the radiation will be as effective as the surgery. Yes, it should be.

I asked about the side effects. My voice may change permanently. My neck may be permanently discolored. The skin on my neck may thicken. And I may have permanent difficulty in swallowing. Ain't we got fun. All these side effects are still better than cancer.

Did I just say something positive? Yeah, but it won't last. Once the side effects kick in, I'll be kvetching like crazy.

Youse guys, as usual, are da best.

Your attention, concern, and caring mean a tremendous amount.

Thanks for sticking with whiney me.

You could never whine or kvetch so much that we would stop listening.
Not to mention that you have plenty to kvetch about!
This sounds good though? I'm hearing some positive?

I hope you can get a little rest now.

Hey Boita,

Good new on the finance end, that has to help...

Hugs

Yes, many hugs! I'm glad to hear that the hospital is stepping up and that the doctors gave you so much information.

I'm so glad to hear that you can stop worrying about how you're going to pay for all of this! I know that was weighing on you. Now you can focus on the treaments. When do they start?

Does it help with your money situ? Did you still have to pay for the botched attempt?

If it's none of my business, please say so. Don't mean to overstep...

You sound a lot better, Roberta - hoping that things turn the same way!

ONE AND TWO...



THREE, FOUR AND FIVE AT LEAST



SIX ALREADY



MORE...



AND SOME...



YES BOIDA, you said so many.... you are fab. Even with the crappiest of news you are focusing forward... and that's so hard to do with what's in front of you.

So even if you kvetch in 5 mins..... no worries..... kvetch away - and we'll all still be here....

and why...



coz you're loved Boida-gal.

Rest well ... when you can - hopefully at least 2 hours at a time.

Thinking of you and hugging you big. xox

Whew! Well, that sounds like a deep breath!

Glad you got some good news to go with all that info.

6 weeks will be over before you know it.

((( Hugs! )))

Whew.

Kvetch on!

s'good they were ready for you with a lot of information.

Have another milkshake!

So.....we're sort of used to getting together now, so we'll just make more tea (or whatever) and sit and kvetch with you. That won't be hard for us. And maybe will make it a bit less of a bitch for you.

Sounds like a good game plan Roberta. As always, my thoughts and prayers for you.

Well, dammit again.

I knew they must have tried REALLY hard, because of how sore you were.

I am sorry you have to have the radiotherapy.

As you say, better than the cancer...


Great news about the fees!

They gonna fix your teeth for you while they're at it?

Mad at my teeth at the moment. But wouldn't it be nice to have them fixed. Doubt that would be included in the fee. A goil can dream though, can't she?

Managed less than an hour of sleep. This will get better.

Yeah it will.

Especially with good painkillers and de-swellers!

You got pain relief as well as de-swellers?

What the hell is the proper name for de-swellers?

Anti-tumescents? De-erectors?

Pictures of ...

okay, I won't go there.

{making tea -- mint okay for all?}