HI EVERYONE ~ I am finally hooked back on the net; and am at my sister's place on Miller Lake getting lots of sleep and rest. I sure needed the sleep and haven't slept this good in ages. I had the absolute best of care at the Henderson General Hospital in Hamilton, ON; and they were ALL so kind and caring there (from the surgeon and his team of doctors & surgical support staff, and all the amazing nursing staff [both male & female] right down to the cheery housekeepers too). GOD arranged for the right place for sure ...
PRAIZE GOD, PRAIZE GOD, PRAIZE GOD -- they got that huge tumor out; and as you know, it was 100 lbs (partly filled with fluid and a solid mass on the exterior). I can't tell you how grateful I am to get rid of that thing. There was no fat around it at all, just the tumor and my stomach muscles and my skin, which was stretched out to it's max. I caught a cold while there as my system was weak from the surgery but I am finally getting better -- the coughing may have actually help my muscles contract back but I am still glad to get rid of it. I asked GOD to turn that into good; and HE did!!!
I started walking with my canes right away (didn't need the wheelchair or walker at all); and with more physio, they are hoping to get me down to one cane, then NO CANES at all before I go home. How awesome is that?
So now, I just need to heal and rest for at least another 4 + weeks but must continue with my walking several times a day. Each day, I am praying that my lungs will get stronger and stronger. Can you believe that my doctors told me that I need to EAT "MORE" FOOD ....
Never thought I'd hear them say that. The tumor (or the greedy little monster, as my brother calls it) was eating all my food and I lost a lot of weight just in 3 weeks before the surgery (19 lbs) but some may have been water, I think.
I do look frail and thin so that's why they want me to up my food intake for a while, to build up my immune system and heal the emaciated look that my face has right now. Over the last winter, the tumor was taking too much of my nutrients from my body. I do feel much lighter and when I am totally healed and stronger, I am sure I will feel even better.
My sister and BIL have been amazingly kind and generous with us and I pray that GOD will bless them back 10-fold in return. And words cannot convey how grateful I am to ALL OF YOU for your continued faithful prayers and support ... THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH.
Time to rest for a little while again; buried in my fleece blankets too, GARY ... Rosebud
BTW, they sent a biopsy away for testing and we are trusting that it comes back "benign" too (so I won't have to have any treatments, but just another corrective surgery down road when I am stonger). Sending up prayers for all of you for all your concerns as well today too ...
Hoping for blessings for all of you in 2013!
