Surgery: take 2

Well things are finally moving.

And from the sounds of it,  that is now confirmed to be a good thing.

I spoke with my endocrinologist last week and she said the blood work came back. My tumor maker went up. 

Sigh.  This is not surprising,  considering the ct scan,  but it does confirm that what’s in my chest is, in fact,  a cancerous lymph node.  I feel bad for the surgeon,  apparently it’s in a ‘tricky’ spot that they couldn’t have anticipated,  but that must feel terrible considering he got so many out.  Doesn’t feel great for me either,  frankly. Anyway it had gone from 39 to 8, and now it’s up to 30.

Alas, this confirms that surgery is the best option.  Tthe second, and hopefully last, surgery will be on August 2nd in California. I don’t have many details cause the scheduler didn’t realize I was out of state so she has to coordinate my pre and post op appointments before any travel, etc can be organized. Alas,  I’m taking it as a step forward.

I’m trying to just be grateful that it seems like it’s going to happen on this insurance. I should hear back from her on Thursday with more information.

Alas,  the whole thought of another surgery fills me with dread.  This one should be much less extensive, but it’s still a surgery. I’ll get more details about all the risks at the pre op,  but I tend to zone out for those. We all know the risks. I just want to know about restrictions and how long until I can start working out again and feel sane. I just got back to where I was before the last one!

There are a couple additional concerns with this one that we didn’t have before. Nothing is a big deal, they are all details we will figure out,  but things I’m ruminating on nonetheless.

• With Jeremy’s job at the parks being temporary,  he might not be able to come for the whole thing. 

• With my job being contract, I won’t get paid for days I’m off, nor do I get fmla. 

• This time, we’ll need a pup sitter. 

I’m trusting everything will work out, these are just the things my mind goes to and fixates on. But nothing can really be done until both our bosses are back from pto and we know how long I’ll be down there! Trying to remember that i can only control what I can control.

On the other hand, my endocrinologist still thinks I should establish care at OHSU in Portland since, frankly,  I’m a bit out of her league.  I have an appointment with their oncologist on July 22nd. That will be just incase I were to need anything in the future, it won’t take over a month to get it scheduled!

On a positive note, I had two days at my job and so far so good. Mostly onboarding trainings and computer setup, but the people are all very nice so that’s reassuring.

I’ve been meeting with some new friends that I made here at various events too! I went on a couple hikes,  to a wine bar, and a pride event in our town.  All good steps in the right direction in starting to build a more local community. We even fit in an overnight camping trip last weekend.

In other news, one of my awesome uncles,  Uncle Dave Elder, passed away last week very suddenly.  I would like to send some extra love to my amazingly vibrant aunt and cousins. Hug those you love and don’t wait to do the things you dream about.  May angels lead you in,  uncle Dave.💓