Getting ready for the surgery

Just a few days until the surgery and there are lots of preparations. This week, Steve had a PET scan. That's supposed to detect any other cancer cells floating around in your organs. We haven't heard any results and I am going on the no-news-is-good-news theory. He also had his pre-op consultation. They marked the spot where the surgeon will put the stoma (to attach to a bag) if an colostomy or ileostomy (a temporary colostomy) is necessary. There's no telling until the surgeon - Dr. Trocha - gets in to know whether or not it will be possible to reconnect the bowel after the resection OR what is somewhat more likely is he may choose not to reconnect it immediately to give the area time to heal. In which case, it will be an ileostomy.

Steve's spirits are good and we're cautiously optimistic. He's been playing some golf lately with Gerry Riley and that's great. We really don't know what the recovery will be like or what kind of chemo might be required after the surgery. So he wants to get as much good stuff in now. Of course, even with all this extra practice I can still kick his ass, but maybe I'll have to give him a few strokes to keep his spirits up! Ahhh, maybe not...

Terri Hovey is flying in Wednesday night (the night before the surgery) and staying with me until Sunday. I am so glad she'll be here to wait it out with me Thursday. Steve's sister, Gretchen, is also coming at some point and Peg McGurk is making plans for a weekend visit when Steve gets home from the hospital. You forget sometimes in the day-to-day living of our lives how important your friends are. We don't always do everything we could - or should - do to cultivate those relationships. But with a special few you find that they're still there when you need them.

As one who is pretty pessimistic much of the time, I am humbled by the kindness and supportiveness I have found in so many people. I hope it's made me aware of the importance of giving that back and of trying to find ways to be helpful and supportive of others around me.

With a long weekend in front of us before the two days of "bowel prep" (that sounds as yucky as it will probably be), we are planning nothing but having some fun -- play a little golf, go to a nice restaurant, play with the dogs. No yard work, no housework. Now that sounds like a plan!

If you're so inclined, please add thoughts, comments, etc., to any of these posts. I am working on Steve's computer skills (just what I needed -- another needy user!), so this will give him something to look for...