A Shocking Surprise - Tuesday, April 27, 2010

Because April 2009 was so difficult, I was really hoping to live through April 2010 without any major catastrophes. Things were going rather well until the ninth. Fran had been in the hospital for an exploratory procedure a few days prior. That morning her doctor left a voice mail requesting that my sister call her. It seemed a little odd because she told my sister the results would not be conclusive for nine or ten days. I called Fran informing her of the message, then went on my merry way. I arrived at work about an hour or so later and learned Fran had called. I thought I would finish my food shopping (which I do before starting work) then phone her. A couple of minutes passed, and Fran called again to tell me that the test results showed early stage uterine cancer. To say I was stunned would be an understatement. Actually, I do not know how to describe what I felt in that moment. All I know is my mind was reeling. Fortunately, Marilyn, the resident Mother Hen of Martindale’s, had overheard my end of the conversation. She grabbed my shoulders, steered me into my office, and shut the door. I sat in disbelief and cried until I could not cry any longer. The last thing I wanted was to see her go through the same challenges I had experienced last year.

What is amazing about any disease is the education one gets in the process. Four days later, Fran and I were sitting in the office of one of the top Gyn Oncologist’s in the Philadelphia area. He said he could not confirm that the cancer was in its early stages, which caused both of us more concern. However, I steadied my nerves with the thought that any surgeon is required to explain all possible outcomes for malpractice reasons. The surgeon wanted to operate within the following two weeks. So, Fran chose Monday, the 26th, at Paoli Hospital.

I must say she showed tremendous faith and courage as she prepared for surgery. Both of us prayed there would be no invasion into the uterine wall, and therefore no need to remove any surrounding lymph nodes. Removal of any lymph nodes would demand a course of radiation therapy. Fran did not want to have to face the prospect of any radiation or chemo, and I cannot blame her.

By the time yesterday morning arrived, I could barely move my head from side to side. I believe it was the stress of the past two weeks manifesting in my body. We arrived at the hospital by 7:00 a.m., then the nurses began their prep work for Fran’s surgery. I left for the waiting area, found a comfortable seat, and listened to scriptures on my Ipod. At 10:15, I was ushered into one of the private conference rooms to wait for the surgeon. After a few minutes, he appeared, shook my hand, then began rattling off facts about the operation so quickly that I had a hard time writing them down. To sum it up, there was no cancer found in the initial frozen samples taken and therefore no need to remove any lymph nodes. He explained that usually the final pathology report mirrors the initial one. Thank God!!! She could not have had a better report. I then began calling everyone on my list who wanted a report of the surgery’s outcome.

According to Fran’s research, patients who exercise and take fiber recover quicker than those who do not. She does both, so it was no surprise that she rebounded quickly from the surgery, astounding the doctor and nurses. She was released after lunch today and is now home resting comfortably. As I observed her during the hours after the operation, I could not help but notice how emotionally alert she seemed. I remembered being in such a fog the entire day of my surgery. It is amazing how much effect a medical report can have on one’s outlook. Well, I think it is safe to say that I will be leaving the month of April with good news!