Twas a GOOD day!

We went to Calgary today for my follow up appointment with Doctor Mack. It has been almost a month since I was last at the Foothills hospital. I was really excited to go and talk to my doctor.

January 28th, I had my surgery, later than previously planned, but had it nonetheless. Everything went well except for the fact that I had to have a spinal anesthetic instead of the one they were planning to have with the tube going into my mouth. I was awake during most of the surgery but zoned in and out occasionally due to lack of sleep and nausea. After the surgery, I waited outside for twenty minutes before being pushed to my room. I started feeling nauseated again and was given some anti nausea medications. Once I was in my room, the nausea was gone but I couldn't feel my legs and waited patiently for the anesthetic to wear off. I couldn't wait to see Marc. We were apart for 4 hours, and I was worried he might be bored and hungry. When he finally came I was quite happy to see him and feel his hands in mines (so cheesy I know, lol.). We laughed, and talked and respectfully and patiently let the nurses come and check on me every fifteen minutes. I love nurses and always do my best to be patient with them and be polite.
Doctor Mack had called Marc just after the surgery was done and was quite positive about the whole procedure so we were hopeful that all was well. There was hope for me to go home that same day but that didn't happen, of course. I was missing my boys who were in Lethbridge with their uncle and aunt. The first thing I did once I was in my room is to ask for a drink and food. I had ice first and was allowed to eat regular food at supper time. Marc was allowed to stay the whole night with me so I made space for him in the bed, I was so happy that he got to stay with me. Once the feelings came back in my legs, I went out for a walk up and down the hallway. I did pretty well considering I just had surgery and felt no pain at all. I was painless from that time on and still am today. Marc snicked out to get us some A&W food (don't judge me haha) later on at night and we watched T.V until we were ready to go to bed. We visited with my room mate who happened to be from Vermilion. Morning came, Marc and I shared breakfast and waited for the doctors and nurses. They came, checked my incision, changed my bandage, discharged me, and off we went and picked up our boys in Lethbridge.

Marc took the whole next week off and took really good care of me. I was able to read two and a half books and just relaxed on the couch. He is such a strict "nurse" but I love him for it.

February 11th, We were supposed to leave for Lloydminster but instead, I ended up in the E.R. My right leg was three times bigger than usual and part of my incision split opened and was "leaking". (Still no pain though.) I got a shot of blood thinner and some antibiotics and home I went. The next day the leg was less swollen. I went back to the E.R to do some blood work and met up with my family doctor. He forbade me to go on a road trip so we went to the Fyfe's on Saturday instead and had a nice visit with them and the Jeannottes which was great.

Fast forward to today, EVERYTHING is great! The doctor informed us that I will not be needing radiations. I am cancer free!!! I was so humbled and felt so blessed and fortunate for this great news. I am one of the lucky ones to survive an aggressive cancer because it was caught early enough. I am so glad I tuned in to my body and actually went to see the doctor about it. Leiomyosarcoma is an aggressive cancer but if caught early, the chances of survival is about 95%, so we were told today. Because of the other 5%, I will need to have X-rays and check ups every six months for the next two years and once every year for the next three years after that. All of my appointments in Calgary will be done at the cancer hospital.

While my trial was short and didn't feel like a battle, I am grateful to my Father in Heaven for blessing me during it all. Faith has made me whole and I hope it will stayed this way for the next trial.

I am grateful for my family, Marc's family, our ward family and, last but not least for all of my friends who knew about it. I am grateful for your prayers, well wishes, and for your thoughts. I am grateful for you checking on me through messages on facebook.  I am grateful for God's missionaries in Congo who fasted for me and have kept me in their prayers and nicknamed me their "belle". And o how grateful I am to the Fyfes for their support and help. So grateful to call them my friends, and have them in my life.

Life is made beautiful when you know you are loved. Thank you so much! I truly LOVE you all.

*Not a cute pic I know but this was taken just a few days after my surgery. I still have a hard time stretching my leg straight and part of it still feels numb but it is to be expected according to my doctor. It might take a whole year for the numbness to go away. Today the scar looks way better and should thin out nicely in the next months or years. I cannot believe the only discomfort I have from it is the inability for me to stretch it.