Well nourished

It's hard to believe that I was getting the right side of my colon removed for colon cancer just nine days ago, and three days ago, the exemplary medical professionals said I could go home. After six days in the hospital, I have been convalescing at my St. Louis County compound with nothing remarkable to report.

In short, recovery is going as well as can be expected. I have up days, and I have down days. It's been a learning curve to make myself not do the things that I would typically do around the house. For example, learning to move in different ways so I do not aggravate my gut. Making myself get out and walk is a challenge and, it takes a lot of energy out of me. Sometimes even walking to different parts of the house makes me want to take a nap. Yesterday was like that. I did no actual walking and took a two-hour nap during the late afternoon. The surgeon told me to expect this pattern throughout my recovery and take it a day at a time. I've been managing my pain with Advil and Tylenol. I haven't needed to take any of the more potent stuff. I will admit I do miss the powerful drugs from the hospital. But, as they say, all good things must come to an end.

MyChart is a pretty remarkable thing. I've been pouring through the notes on my hospital stay. One of the first things I noticed is that I am well developed and well-nourished. Talk about taking a shot at a guy! They called me fat! I suppose if the hospital gown fits... I kid, I kid! Although, this entire episode reinforces my desire to make healthier choices. Just trying to figure out how to make that work with the busy schedule this house runs on. I honestly don't know how other people do it. But perhaps that's a blog post for another time.

I also received the full pathology report. After reading the information, the fact that I am not a doctor is not lost. I have accepted that I will have to rely on the medical professionals to translate for me. I did find a better description for LymphoVascular Invasion.

"Indicates whether cancer cells are present in blood vessels or the lymphatic system. When LVI is present, it is assumed that the cancer has acquired the genetic mutation necessary to create its own blood vessels and may have begun to spread cancer cells to other parts of the body."

This definition seems like semantics to me but looks as close to stage three as one can get. And maybe that's just it; I was within a hair's breadth of stage three. So patience will be my mode until I see the oncologist next month.

As for my poop, I've been producing it with more or less the same results as before. Also, my urine is still pristine; one does have to maintain standards, even during recovery.

Not much else to report, not the most lively of posts, but it's a post just the same.

Thanks for following along! Keep the prayers and the vibes coming.