Life altering. I remember 3 years ago when I was leaning towards not trying any more treatments and just getting my bladder removed the doctor said those 2 words to me. He wasn't kidding! I don't regret opting for the clinical trial instead of bladder removal at that time (even though I ended up losing my bladder anyway) because I was able to experience so much Michigan family time and I think I would have always wondered if I really did everything I could to save my bladder. I don't like the pneumonitis and hair loss that ensued after the clinical trial, but since those resolved, I'm left with good memories with family that I wouldn't trade. But regarding this cystectomy procedure, there are so many things that I was woefully unprepared for it boggles my mind! I thought I had done my research, but it still kind of blows my mind all the things I didn't know about it. For a thorough and detailed account of everything you never wanted to know about a cystectomy, click over to the tab on this blog entitled 'Cystectomy Journey'. For the purposes of this part of the blog, I'll try to 'sum up' as Indigo Montoya said in The Princess Bride and mostly include pictures.
I went into the hospital 2 weeks ago (the Thursday before Thanksgiving), and long story short, a 3-5 day hospital stay turned into a 7 day hospital stay due to complications requiring a 2nd surgery. I was NPO (nothing to eat or drink - see picture of my chart below) for 6 of those 7 days, but I was so out of it I don't remember most of it. Tim was a total Rock Star, and I can't say enough about how thankful I am to him for his incredible care of me! But I think the moment that stands out the most to me during that week was when my friend Holly came and helped me walk outside 6 days after entering the hospital so I could feel the sunshine on my face. Even now it brings tears to my eyes as I remember feeling so grateful for the sunshine that tears rolled down my cheeks unashamedly! I don't have many pictures from that week (thankfully, because I looked like a train wreck!), but below is what I have. I really regret that I don't have ANY pictures from Thanksgiving, because that was the day I came home from the hospital and our dear friends, James and Linda Boswell, brought a full Thanksgiving feast for our family of 6. It was the most thankful of all Thanksgivings that I can remember for me! But I did get a picture of all the flowers we brought home from the hospital - I felt very loved!
I went into the hospital 2 weeks ago (the Thursday before Thanksgiving), and long story short, a 3-5 day hospital stay turned into a 7 day hospital stay due to complications requiring a 2nd surgery. I was NPO (nothing to eat or drink - see picture of my chart below) for 6 of those 7 days, but I was so out of it I don't remember most of it. Tim was a total Rock Star, and I can't say enough about how thankful I am to him for his incredible care of me! But I think the moment that stands out the most to me during that week was when my friend Holly came and helped me walk outside 6 days after entering the hospital so I could feel the sunshine on my face. Even now it brings tears to my eyes as I remember feeling so grateful for the sunshine that tears rolled down my cheeks unashamedly! I don't have many pictures from that week (thankfully, because I looked like a train wreck!), but below is what I have. I really regret that I don't have ANY pictures from Thanksgiving, because that was the day I came home from the hospital and our dear friends, James and Linda Boswell, brought a full Thanksgiving feast for our family of 6. It was the most thankful of all Thanksgivings that I can remember for me! But I did get a picture of all the flowers we brought home from the hospital - I felt very loved!
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