Hope springs eternal...

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It's been a busy few days, in a lot of ways. On Friday we finally got everything fixed and settled so that I have access to my TriCare in the U.S. That was a huge relief and all it took was one person, after 8 months and 100 phone calls, to just fix it - because they took the time to figure out what was happening.

We sent all my information to the Doctor in Georgia and we've been waiting for him to call us. He was supposed to call Tuesday but this morning when we called they told us he'd call tomorrow. 

Meanwhile I saw two other Doctors this week. One couldn't offer me any information or assistance except to look into why it's taking 16 months for me to see a pain specialist. My Specialist in Toronto told me this morning (on the phone) there are several things happening here. It's complicated and it's not just the endometriosis, I've got endo, cysts that are bursting, my bladder is really upset although we are not sure why yet, there are two possible reasons, I might need surgery for repairs and in a separate thing, my abdominal muscle has come apart which is causing pain and will require another surgery.

It was a lot to take in and digest. To be honest I was shaking out of stress, confusion, pain, fear... 

And then... 

The Doctor in Georgia called. 

And he told me basically he's going to save my life.

He said he will do everything in one surgery. He will do a cystoscopy, excise all the disease, remove anything I don't need including my appendix, repair my abdominal muscles that have come apart, remove part of my bladder, resection my bowel if needed, repair any damage from my past surgeries... He'll have two other specialists there with him to do any work he cannot. They will do this one time and FIX everything.
I should have a surgery date next week for June, or the beginning of July.

I hung up the phone in the living room and Kevin hung up the phone in the office and walked into the living room to me. I started crying hysterically and nearly collapsed. I don't think I've ever shaken that badly. It was like seeing a ghost... hearing someone tell you not to worry, they'd fix it, they'd fix the pain, they'd make it all better. 

There is a lot to organize, a lot to do, but it's minor. He told me to cancel my cystoscopy that's on the 17th and I've been dreading. Normally it's unpleasant, I've had one before and that's what it was, unpleasant. But with the amount of pain I'm in now, I've been terrified for this one... he said cancel it and he'll do it while I'm already under and I won't even know it happened. He talked to us for about 10-15 minutes but that's all we needed. I barely had to mention anything else to him, he already knew and told me right away what needed to be done. He listed off about 8 things and said he doesn't like people to have multiple surgeries and be under anesthetic repeatedly, so they'd just take care of it. ALL of it. I've never heard such a thing in my life.

Here I was looking at multiple surgeries and no lie - years of waiting. I've had five surgeries. I've waited. I was terrified thinking of waiting more for multiple surgeries that might not lead me anywhere.

Poof - all that's gone. 

So my day, my week, has went from fear to promise. All this pain, it's still there, but I know it's not going to be my reality forever and that makes it so much easier to bear.

So now we figure out how to arrange all this, and pay for it, and find out when the surgery date is so we can organize things here... and figure out what we do next.

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In other news - Rollie got neutered yesterday!! He did great and he's been fine since - my main concern is keeping him calm because he's all wound up as usual. He was only slightly dopey when he came home last night. I forgot when I dropped him off to ask the Vet Tech to save his baby tooth I had asked them to remove for me (it wasn't going to come out on it's own) and much to my surprise when I got there to pick him up, she had it in a jar for me saved aside! I love that clinic. 

And I'm so glad Rollie is now ball-less. Honestly, we don't need any extra testosterone around here. Or leg lifters.

It's humid today, really humid... 

When I finished my chores everyone was just lazing around in the goat pasture...

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They were wondering why I was so darned happy when it's so humid and muggy outside...

I'm sad I will have to let Biscuit dry up... with surgery in the near future and me being gone, and then having to heal it's time to let her dry up. I'm going to miss that fresh milk so much. It's been great.

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Spock was relaxing... life is good...

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And Puffin was under the log... the perks of being so small!

We are relaxing now and celebrating our good news. Kevin is researching, and I'm just trying to calm down and breathe a huge sigh of relief... while figuring out what to make for dinner. I'm exhausted - emotionally and mentally more than anything. It's a long road a head - including recovery. But I'm so glad to be at the start of this road and not just dreaming about it.

Maybe this really will be the beginning - of the end. 

Comments

Lana said…
I have tears of joy for you! This is such wonderful, wonderful news. I am so excited for you that the road to recovery is not too far away. Too bad I don't live nearby - you could just teach me to milk Biscuit!

Oh, I am just ecstatic. :D
jaz@octoberfarm said…
this is WONDERFUL news!!! at least there is light on the horizon! what a relief to get it all done at once! i am sooooo happy for you! and, btw, i am so sick of summer already. we are roasting and humid and no rain at all!
IanH said…
That is really great news (except for the part about neutering). I pray that every thing goes well.
WendyFromNY said…
I never comment here, but this news is just too good! I am so very happy for you! I hope all goes well with the upcoming surgery, the doc sounds pretty confidant, and that your recovery is quick, easy, and complete! Best wishes!
Cheryl H. said…
I am so happy for your fantastic news!! I've been following your blog for about a year and love your stories, pictures, your animals, etc. I am so impressed with all you do while feeling so bad. You have such a happy spirit it is contagious. We have some great doctors in the US and I'm so happy you found one. Will pray that your surgery has a wonderful outcome and speedy recovery.
Chai Chai said…
Hurray! Good luck with your surgery.
Ellen in Oregon said…
Donna,
I am so happy for the great news you have received. Isn't it amazing to go from hopeless to very hopful in just one phone call. I have been through the same kind of journey for different reasons, of having to seek medical help far from home. The good thing is that great surgeons also have very good personal office assistants who get all the detail work done and will help work out the financial arrangements with the hospital. You should also know that many hospitals in the US have special parking areas for campers/motorhomes needing them to live in while a relaive is having surgery. Some actually have residential housing where kevin could stay or both of you once discharged from the hospital. I always had to stay until the staples could be removed and the surgeon felt I was ready to travel. Some hospitals also have special discounts with motels near them.
You will probably get a bit of VIP treatment being from Canada. Unless the surgery is in Atlanta, you may be quite a novelty & hopefully you will get excellent care.
Things will go pretty quickly once you get your surgery date. The sooner you get the surgery done, the sooner you can start to heal up.
I don't know if the muscle problem you mention is an abdominal hernia or muscle seperation, but I wanted to let you know that I have had several surgeries for hernias & bladder issues and was nnot able to lift more than a few pounds for quite a while post op and never able to lift more than 20 lbs. Just thought I'd mention it because of all the physical work you do with the animals.
You are so right about pain being much more tolerable once you have hope of it ending soon. Isn't it great to have hope of living a life where pain doesn't dictate your life.
I know you will have a lot of planning to do for this to all to happen. I am hoping you have someone to take care of the animals and the property. I wish I could help you with some of these kinds of things to ease your burden.
Try not to get overwhelmed with all the details that your surgery and the time away will bring. Just make a checklist and take lots of notes. financially, I hope the hospital & doctors will just accpet what your insurance will cover & write-off the remainder. It is a good idea to make up a monthly expenses and income list so the hospital will can determine if you are eligilbe to have part of the cost waived.
I hope this surgery will be the best answer to all the pain & problems you have suffered with for so long. Right now the great news is a skilled & experienced surgeon who will do whatever they can to give you back your life.
I hope all the planning goes as well as it possibly can & that the surgeon's office does everything it can to help you with the financial end.
your great news made my day. I wish you the best of luck with everything.
Ellen
This is spectacular news! Have you thought about taking your camper to avoid the hotel fees? There may be a military RV campsite close to the hospital that could save you even more money, assuming it's convenient as far as the drive. I remember my base in Nebraska had campsites.
I'm likely not on your way, but if you want to stop in Norfolk, VA, I have a guest room and dog friendly accommodations. And both the Chesapeake Bay and the Atlantic Ocean.
So very happy for you!
Dewena said…
Donna, this is the best news! I am so happy for you and Kevin. You both deserve to have this surgery mean the beginning of a brand new life. Whatever it takes for this to come about, it will be worth it. Take very good care of yourself until then.

So very happy!
Primitive Stars said…
Yay!!!! So happy for you, wonderful news......Enjoy the scenery along the way, take lots of pictures.......Francine.
Dee said…
Got to love the good old USA health care. I surely hope it is not going to be messed up. I am so so glad you can get some much needed help!
I am literally crying tears of joy for you right now. prayers to you always my friend and here is hoping you get healed quickly. Dinner-shminner, get some pizza and champagne and celebrate! Congratulations, so happy for you!
Denise in PA said…
Donna, I'm so glad for you - this is such good news! I will keep you in my prayers that everything goes smoothly and you have a fast and complete recovery! Also glad that little Rollie is doing well - such a cutie pie he is! Many hugs o:)
Oh my gosh, I am so thrilled for you! I can't imagine how much of a relief it was to get that call from the doctor in GA. It sounds like that is the best course of treatment for you and I sincerely hope it works and relieves your pain. Please keep us updated!
So glad to hear that a load of worry has been lifted off of your shoulders, spirit, and mind. Happy to hear that everything is going to be taken care of, and hopefully no more worries!!!! Thinking of you and Kevin in my prayers!
k said…
So glad you got such good news. Hoping the best for the surgery.
Liane said…
That's great news! I had an ovarian cyst burst once and I thought I was dying. It was the worst pain I've ever experienced. I'm so glad you're going to be well taken care of!
That's great news for you!! So happy for you. Poor Rollie - what a rough day for the poor guy. :)
Anonymous said…
You must be so elated! I'm very, very happy for you! Please keep us posted!
The JR said…
I'm glad to hear your good news. I am anxiously waiting to hear about you doing so much better.
LoriU said…
I am so happy for you! All this time I was wondering what in the heck are those doctors in Canada making you wait so long for. I don't want to get into a socialized medicine discussion, but really they let people stay in pain for SO long there! I truly hope our healthcare in the US does not end up that way. It is just not right that people have to suffer for so long.

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