Day Twenty-Five with Cancer/Day Four without Cancer:
How lovely to wake up to the day looking forward to something! It was lovely having something to be excited about, no matter how sore I was. :) My family arrived fairly early this morning, since we needed to start getting my stuff out of my room and none of us had any idea when I might be leaving. Heather and Shy were my RN and Aide today. They are just too much fun. Heather came in this morning and I spoke to her about the Heprin situation. She basically said it wasn't a problem and encouraged me to refuse it. She said I should be off of it anyway, since I wouldn't be having it at home. Praise the Lord, I didn't have to have something else that was really painful! Shy came in and covered up my IV connection so that I could take a shower. *Cue angelic music* My first REAL shower...actually being able to be IN the shower with a shower head over me. It's crazy the things that you take for granted. You don't miss it until you're not able to do it/have it anymore.
Afterward, I saw our new friend, Michael, outside of my door. I felt so awful that he had to stay there when I was able to go home. He told me, "Let me give you some advice, if they ever recommend again that you get surgery...get it! Or...you could be like me and have one surgery turn into nine." How awful for him. What a dear, sweet man and he was in such pain. I'll have to make sure I keep in touch with him.
Shy came in after that to go ahead and remove my IV. It took the poor guy so long to get all the bandages off of my arm. They were so stuck on there. He was nice about it so that it didn't hurt too badly. There was still adhesive EVERYWHERE, but he was able to get the IV out and that part was completely painless. It's nice to have people who are good at what they do.
We waited a little while longer and they brought up a wheelchair so that I didn't have to do the long walk to the car. I just told the family to load up the wheelchair like I was a donkey or something. Lol. Beast of burden. Some random guy took me as far as the elevator and then dad pushed me around. It was entertaining seeing him smile and laugh. He pushed me up to this picture of a head on the wall with no skin (just muscle) and told me to make the same face so that we could take a picture. It's nice to see him seem happy every once in a while. It was interesting to go out the way we did. I didn't get to see all those things when I came in. Outside there was a huge, glass fountain where the water just skimmed over the top. It gave it almost a mirage type appearance, so you couldn't tell if it was actually water, or if it was just really hot outside. Dad brought the car around. Getting in wasn't so bad except for the fact that I slammed my head while getting in. Awesome job, Allison.
We had to go over to the Hope Lodge to make sure the room was clean. Grandma, Grandpa and I sat outside while mom and dad cleaned. They had such a beautiful garden area at the Hope Lodge. There were bricks with names of cancer patients, a gorgeous Dogwood tree, a gazebo in the shade, a pond with a fountain and coy fish. I thought they were goldfish. The sounds of the water and the tiny chimes of the wind chimes were very soothing, not to mention the soft breeze. How wonderful. We took lots of pictures. Grandpa was excited about the enormous spider web in the gazebo. He kept saying that he was waiting for Charlotte to come out. Dad came out a little later. They had been washing the linens in one of the laundry rooms and the one manager was washing her own personal clothing on work time. She said some really mean things because she ended up taking the sheets out of the washing machine and dad said, "Oh, you're helping us out, huh?" I won't even go into what she said, but dad was soo ready to throw down with her. I was laughing because we had a slight issue with her on the night we arrived there. He said he was going to file a formal complaint. I can't say that I blame him.
We started on our way home. It was actually pretty invigorating. It was awesome being able to have the windows down and breathe in the fresh air. Everything was beautiful and green, and lots of people were outside running, walking and playing. When we got on the freeway, my phone rang. It was Dr. Vogel. He asked if I was home, how I was doing and how my pain levels were. I told him why we weren't home and that we had just started on our way. He said he had news about my pathology (which I wasn't supposed to hear until Monday). He said the lymphnodes they tested were free of cancer. It hadn't spread! He said, "...so that means you shouldn't have to have chemo." I said that was excellent. He said, "THAT'S GREAT!" He sounded so excited. Apparently the "tumor team" would still be taking a look at everything, but the only thing I should really count on is a 6 week check up.
I told the family and started sending text messages to let people know what was going on. We stopped at Panera to have some dinner. Yes, I had to eat around all the vegetables and stuff, but it was still much better than hospital cuisine. Plus, I got a yummy strawberry smoothie. :) We finally made it home and I was able to see Cordelia. She was sooo excited to be home again and see all the family. I have to admit, I was pretty excited to see her as well...as annoying as she tends to be. I wanted to take advantage of the beautiful weather, so I took a blanket out onto the front porch and spent the next couple hours out there. I even took a nap for about 45 minutes. Sarah and Hannah came over. I feel so blessed to have strong, Christian girlfriends. They are so wonderful. We sat talking and laughing for such a long time. The laughing was awesome and awful all at once, because it was great fun, but it hurt so badly. Dad started pointing at his watch, so I had to escort the girls out. :(
It was an altogether wonderful day. I couldn't have asked for more. I'm home, I got great news, I got to see my girlfriends and the weather was summery. Praise the Lord for His many blessings.
Day Twenty-Five: Conquered!!!
Song of the Day: How Great Thou Art
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pLLMzr3PFgk
Verse of the Day: Psalm 103:1-5
Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name!
2 Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits,
3 who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases,
4 who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy,
5 who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.
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