Friday, March 25, 2011

Obla Di Obla Da

"Modern medicine" truly is a marvel to me.  When they told me to show up at the "day surgery" unit at 6 am for placement of my port, I wasn't sure what I had signed up for.  When they wheeled me into an actual operating room and squirted me down with orange betadine, I half ways expected Dr. McDreamy to peer over the draped cloths at any moment.  From the big overhead lights, to the sterile surroundings, and the trembling and shivering of my legs in reaction to the cold temp in the room, it reminded me of too many other surgeries I have had.  But through a carefully monitored combination of drugs, I was kept only mildly sedated, and pain free.

A pocket of sorts was made in my skin just below my collarbone and then a microtube was threaded through my vein into a major artery near my heart.  The whole procedure took about half an hour.  The chemo will be put into the port lying just under my skin tomorrow and all of my labs will get drawn from there as well.

The PET scan was equally painless, and done in no time.  Soooo, I went from this :


To this!  

Seriously.  From "surgery" to DQ in the span of a day.

I broke out my list of things I am grateful for and jotted down 1 more.
My first Dairy Queen this spring.  I didn't care that is was cold and covered with snow.  After a long day of no food at the hospital, DQ never tasted so good.


But the biggest surprise was signing into my blog and any tear I was spared from shedding today, poured out in one big happy and astonishing moment. 

Sara gave me a much needed blog makeover, and you all showed up to love on me.  You came from Robin's and Sara's and Kelly's and I couldn't wrap my brain around it.  I cherished each and every comment.  You know how to make a battered soul smile.  My faith keeps deepening, and God keeps showing up in the details.  

Dinner came from a friend, ribs and potatoes, and all the fixings. I swore I wasn't going to eat for fear of getting sick tomorrow and spoiling the taste of ribs for good... but you know I couldn't turn down ribs.



And this little cutie?  Got up in front of his class today and told them his mom has cancer.  And she's going to get better.  Indeed, with all of this love, support and prayers, how can she not get better?  


Dr. Panwalkar tomorrow at 8 am for the results of my PET scan.
Chemo at 9. 

obla di obla da

Thank you from a very humbled heart... 




38 comments:

  1. Vicky...I will be thinking of you today around 9am as you await the results. I, like so many others, have been thinking about you a lot.
    The blog is beautiful! You are certainly blessed in many ways aren't you? :)

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  2. You'll be in my thoughts and prayers today. I'll be praying specifically that the chemo doesn't make you too sick or too tired. Love and Hugs to you on this day!

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  3. After the last couple of years of communicating with you via blogs and internet I was amazed at how you could care about people you have never met until this exact moment.

    Vicky - you are an absolute inspiration to me. I'm in awe of how you are handling this - I can only pray that I can handle things in my life in the same way that you are handling this mountain you are climbing. I'm so proud of you! You are constantly in my thoughts and prayers - Wish I could be there to cook meals and do things for you like those that are closer. Maybe I could send a 5 course meal through the mail :)

    Praying for you today! Praying for your strength. Hugs my dear friend!!!!

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  4. Love the makeover. Love that you are so strong. Love that your little man is so strong. Jealous that you had DQ. You are wonderful!

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  5. Everything incl. PET and Chemo shall be fine,favorable & ok ..I'm sure.
    You need not shed even a single tear drop,. We are praying for you constantly & I'm uninterruptedly today.

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  6. You are one strong, amazing woman Vicky. Thinking of you, hoping that you receive what can be considered 'good news' today. Your new blog design is lovely, btw.

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  7. Again, from one that has walked through your very shoes, know that I am praying. I will tell you that the meds for nausea (Zofran, my favorite) given before chemo are fantastic these days. Most likely you will be completely comfortable and able to eat normally! I would be happy to communicate through my personal email (martelld@aol.com), if you'd ever need to...maybe you already have someone who knows the ropes :)
    Bless your heart, my thoughts will be with you,
    Deb

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  8. I just read Deb's comment, and I, too, have walked in your shoes. I'm here, praying, and also willing to listen, pray, help, cry . . . whatever you need at any time (countrypatches1@verizon.net).
    I remember that day of getting the port placed. They did put me out for mine, though. Here it is, almost three years later, and I still have mine in there.

    I'm praying for you today. I just keep on praying. . . . and every time I have a Dairy Queen you will be on my heart!

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  9. We are praying that things go smoothly today. I saw a shirt yesterday that made me think of you. "Fight like a girl"!!!! Love you!!

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  10. All of you are in our thoughts and prayers! Good for you for focusing on all the things that cancer cannot take from you...Lots of love!!

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  11. I pray for you from Italy!!

    Anna

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  12. Friendship is one of God's greatest blessings, Vicky!

    My Dad had a port put in too and found it so much easier to receive his chemo treatments that way, instead of getting stuck with a needle each time.

    I am thinking of you this morning and saying prayers too.

    Wrapping you in hugs and friendship,

    Eileen

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  13. You may not even realize this but it is very clear to me that you and your writing are going to be a huge source of support and inspiration for others that are going to go through this. (and there will be many others) *I even see a book in your future.

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  14. ... life goes on... and we keep riding the wave of it with you, sweet girl! love you.

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  15. I know you have a long road ahead of you, but if you can take one at a time, you'll get through it. Praying God's grace for you.

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  16. Thinking about you all the time Vicky. Now you have me wanting to find a dairy queen around here. You are pure joy and love and will triumph!!!

    Also, I have to say that you look quite pretty in that hospital bed (of all places). I think you would give Dr. McDreamy and Dr. McSteamy (my favorite) a gorgeous reason to visit you over and over again.

    Love you. God is hearing all of our prayers. He is with you every moment.

    Your boys are not only hockey superstars in my book, but also life superstars! Like their fabulous and beautiful mom. Please tell Rick that we're praying for him too. God bless you all. Hugs, hugs, hugs...

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  17. Praying for digestive peace for you today and that ribs still smell as good tomorrow. You are STRONG :) Who else leaves a Port and PET and then gets ice cream, at DQ, in the snow nonetheless. You're a girl after my own heart. So prayerful for yours today.

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  18. Dear Vicky,

    he was evertime on your side!!! (you know who I mean)

    You are so a wonderfull strong person and you give ME so much power in this hard time for you. I want to give you a big hug and also for your little son.

    I look this morning what time is in USA and think all over the day to you.

    XXX
    Mimi

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  19. Lovely new look for your blog and the words, "all will be well" so true ... DQ is always one of my first stops when life has been a little too close for comfort ... and even when it hasn't!

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  20. You are in my thoughts and prayers. My heart goes out to you ~ praying for a miracle in your life.

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  21. DQ? Now that's the spirit Vicky!

    I'll be thinking of you tomorrow and praying that you will receive good news from the PET scan.

    My the good Lord be with you in body and spirit Vicky.

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  22. crying happy tears of rejoicing for you. I love, love, love this entry--and I love the DQ too. :-) I will always consider it a treat--no matter what.

    Love to you today, Vicki. Thanks for sharing your world and joy with me.

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  23. I follow Gitz and was grateful that she introduced me to your blog. You are in my prayers as you go through this difficult time.

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  24. So much prayer and love holding you and yours up in both the "real" and cyberspace worlds of your followers and friends. Prayers for you and yours continue from this soul in Illinois.

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  25. Reading all the comments (thoughts and prayers for you) confirmed and reminded me that there are many caring and loving people in this world. This morning, after asking God's healing for you, Mary, I added, Mary at The Westra World. Then I thought, there is no need to add that, God knows exactly which Mary because You are His child.
    Mary, you are a precious child of God and may His love, care and healing be with you.

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  26. God Bless Vicky This end here is also thinking and rooting for good things to happen.
    You look great and so does Nolan.:)

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  27. Oh you sound so strong. A much deseerved trip to DQ. I will be holding your hand through this all. your little man is a trooper, a hug to you, prayers being sent your way. I love the new blog look. smiles.

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  28. Thank you for being the strong beautiful woman you are. I don't know you but am moved by your words. Please know that you will be in my prayers. Believing for a miracle for you!
    Hugs,
    Tammy

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  29. I will be thinking of you this weekend. Prayers from Pennsylvania

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  30. You don't know me, but I'll be praying for you! ((hugs))

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  31. So many are thinking of you and praying for you... And so are we! Praying for peace strength and healing tomorrow and in the days ahead.

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  32. I missed seeing you tonight. I saw Rick and the boys scattered around. Leiton told me he showed Colton where the fish pond was. I hope you are ok Vicky. I know how these chemo days go and I would like to do something to make it easier for you. I would love to bring your family dinner. If it is ok I would like to drop something off in the next day or 2. Love you dear, and God bless you and your family.

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  33. Oh Vicky, you are surely in my prayers and thoughts. Please keep a positive outlook and beat this 'thing'. ((((((Vicky))))) Bless you and your family.

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  34. I SO recognize that DQ. It looks just the same! We used to walk there from Concordia. Anyways, I love how sweet and brave your son is to make that class announcement. You must be so proud! Prayers once again for you tonight!

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  35. Hello Vicky,

    I have been following your blog for quite some time now. I read most of your posts but I never commented. I was away for some time and today checking your posts I got the news.

    I am not going to say much. I just want you to know that you are a brave person and a brilliant woman. I am sure that you will get out of there stronger than ever.

    I wish you all the best and you deserve the best.

    Take care
    Khaled

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  36. Vicky, it's 9:12 as I type. You are probably having a chemo treatment. You are in my thoughts and prayers!

    I'm smiling at your mention of the Moorhead DQ. Isn't that an awesome little place? I'm glad you had your bbq, first of spring, yesterday. I can imagine how wonderful it tasted!

    You are amazing me with your beautiful words and attitude. I wouldn't have turned down ribs either, no way.

    Hoping to see you soon. Keep standing (sitting or lying) strong, dear child of God. :)

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  37. Try and not think about anything negative. Stay as positive and strong as you can. You aren't alone in this. God is with you every step of the way..Loads of love :)

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I welcome what you have to say. Thanks for taking the time to grace me with your thoughts and words!

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