Adventures in Gluten (and Sugar) Freedom from a southern blogger chick!

Tuesday, October 9, 2007

It is what it is


artwork by Carrie Ann Saville

(Sorry if you think this is sappy. I need to write this. Thanks for reading.)

I used to have a roommate, Betty Ann, who said , "I'd give my left ovary for...." well, everything. A hot man. A new car. A new record.

Turns out, I will soon get my chance to do the same. (How's that, PR Girls Gone Wild?)

As not to bury the lede (as we say in journalism) I am scheduled for surgery on Monday, Oct. 29. I have a golf-ball sized cyst on my left ovary. My doctor, Dr. Marisol San Inocensio, is going to tee off and slice it -- and my ovary -- in laparascopic surgery on that Monday.

Questions? Of course, I hear you Julie Boucek. And Joy and Jenn, I'm thinking, "A gallbladder is not a necessity." Why do all my surgical emergencies happen in my PR Writing class?

1. Wait. How did you figure that you had this? It was first uncovered three years ago when I had my appendix out. It was small then and soft. It's big and hard now, and it is causing some symptoms.

2. What symptoms, you ask? Well, actually, major pelvic and back pain, lower abdomenal burning, significant bloating (not glutenating bloating, either) headaches. Nausea. Toilet things not related or like anything I had pre GF.

3. When did I notice them? They've gotten worse in the past six months and more noticeable since my intestines have been healing. Dr. Catie did an ultrasound after I complained a four weeks ago, and I got the results Wednesday. Monday I called the doctor to make an earlier appointment, and when Dr. Marisol saw the ultrasound, she moved me into the office today.

4. Why then? We're waiting for my CA125 Ovarian cancer screening to come back, and making sure I don't have a high white count to do the surgery. She and I would have done it Monday, but I have too many advisees and papers. I can wait til Oct. 29.

5. But not later. The ultrasound report said to "pursue aggressively." Bless them all, they are. Bless them.

6. Wait, you said....ovarian cancer....does that mean? Well, we don't know yet. We will not know for sure until she goes in on Oct. 29. She told me, and I quote, "I'll go in, and I'll take the cyst and the ovary, and maybe the right ovary, too. But if it's cancer, I'll close you right up." The ultrasound, she said, didn't read like it is cancer, but ovarian cancer is silent and pervasive. We'll know when we know. Randy, bless that sweet man, is thinking more positive than I am, but I always front load the worry so the relief is so sweet. We're encouraged and cautious at the same time.

I've never ever had someone tell me something in my body could be cancer. That's disorienting. But I digress.

7. This is the important part to me. I believe in positive energy and prayer, and yours will be a great support. I am in the hands of brilliant doctors and Someone who knows that my work here is not yet done. The Girls Gone Wild have to graduate.
I need to be here for My Randy and for My Jeffrey and for My Daddy.

8. I repeat. My work here is not done.

9. I ain't going nowhere without a fight.

As Dana wrote on my facebook site today, "Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?" Matthew 6:27.
I like that. I claim that. Don't worry about me -- use that time usefully. Think positive. Pray. etc.

I ain't going nowhere. And thank God I know I'm not alone.

Much, much love, and remember, it is what it is. And we'll deal.

Ging

16 comments:

max harrell said...

G, you know that we stand with you during the wait game. Waiting can be so hard. We also agree along with you that God is the great physcian and He has already offered healing. We just stand in the line to receive. We pray and intercede for you and your entire medical team. We wait with you , for the healing, comfort, strenght,& mercy to cover you. We stand with you,Randy, Jeffrey and the rest of your family. We love you,

Carol & Max

Bill said...

I've already called and left you a message. Call me when you can. (That really means STOP WHAT YOU ARE DOING AND CALL ME in case you didn't read between the lines.) :-)

Elaine said...

You're indispensable on planet Earth! Love, Elaine

Anonymous said...

I'll think positive thoughts for you...

Lynn said...

Please keep me posted. You are in my prayers.
Lynn

Joy Peterson said...

As always, you are in our thoughts and prayers. I believe that everything will be just fine...you just need to get that cyst out of you and you'll feel 100% better! Keep us all posted! Love you!

celticjig said...

Go to this site and watch the long trailer about this woman's fight against cancer. Very moving and motivating and I can't wait to see the film.
http://www.crazysexycancer.com/
Positive thoughts are coming your way! Ginger of the North

The Watsons said...

I LOVE Dr. San Inocencio (I butchered that spelling, didn't I?). She was my doctor the whole time I was in M'ville. I followed her to Lake Oconee and back. I adore her and would trust her with my life, which is exactly what you are doing and I know you are in good hands. Between her talent and professionalism and God's unfailing love, you're going to be A-OK, kiddo! I have lots of faith! We will be praying for your healing and recovery!

Jodie Lauren said...

i love you carter!

Unknown said...

Look at the bright side, pretty soon everything will have been fixed!

I am thinking of you.

Love, Sandy

Gluten Free Steve said...

Sending you good thoughts and vibes...and a hug, too! :-)

Kate said...

Aw Ginger...So many things a girl can say here..... you are love, necessary, appreciate, and VITAL. (Just see comments for reassurance if at any moment you should falter in this knowledge.)

And let me point out some irony here, may I? You doctor - Inocencio (comes from Latin, but closely related to the word "Inocencia" (Spanish) or Innocence.) This bodes well, huh?

AND the fact that you would post about this - and her - on...well, her Saint Inocencio's official holiday.

Yeap. Coincidence? Synchronicity? The Divine dropping hints of safety?

YOU BET.

Much love to you and yours now and always -
Kate

Mimi said...

I know that we've not really been close, and that's mostly me than you. But you have alwas been in my prayers, and more so now.

Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. - Deuteronomy 31:6

I love you Dr. Carter.

Unknown said...

Dear Ginger,

I just read this. Saw your status report on my Facebook feed.

You are in my thoughts and prayers. Glad your sweet hubby and son are around.

Next time I see you, I'll buy you all the chocolate you can eat. Love ya,
Kelly M

Unknown said...

OMG--just read the gluten and sugar free stuff.

Forget all the chocolate you can eat.

How does a shopping spree of bath goodies sound? Like what we did in Dallas.

Kelly M.

a kelly said...

You are "curiously strong"(which I think comes with faith) and you have my prayers.
alexsandra