2008 Mar 13th - Progress Update

Tomorrow will be three weeks since Mr A chopped of my PTW and threw him away!

I've been home for ten days now and for 9 of those have progressed from liquid waste to solid waste, albeit I never pass anything larger than my thumb. I just have to pass about twenty of them to empty! That's on a good clear out visit to the loo - I'm getting better at having a couple of those a day and then the odd mini clear out when I go for a wee if I feel the urge.

I'd say I'm getting down to about 5 times a day now, but the most was really 7 or 8 once my colon remembered what it's bloody job was! My main problem is the pain. Every time some air tries to escape I'm rooted to the spot clinging to the nearest grabbable object or I lie on the bed or sofa. Initially when I go to the loo it hurts too. It's the same passing broke glass pain I had during those months of radiation and waiting for surgery last year. To be fair it's not as bad because. like I said I'm only passing things the size of my thumb. The radiation damage, I'm guessing, isn't going to get any better. I have read that some people are given anal dilators as well as vaginal dilators after low pelvic radiation because of the massive shrinking that occurs. The thought of my surgeon doing further digital examinations makes me cry so it's going take a bloody good case to convince me that dilating my burned, shrunk, chopped up arse is a good idea.

It might be just inflammation and maybe I can get something for it. I'm just putting off calling my colorectal nurse until next week in case it means a physical examination. The pain isn't constant, but it's pretty frequent. It keeps me awake at night until I give in, get up and try and pass more air and stools. I suppose I should stop eating earlier in the evening? There is a constant dull throb which has been present for about the last 13 months where the "action" was for radiation and surgery.

My little wound where PTW was is healing very well. I've got the oddest shaped abdomen ever! There are lumps and bumps and dents all over the place. I am quite pleased to report that I have in fact lost some weight again! Becky insisted I looked a lot thinner after about a week on drip only diet - to be expected I guess but my scales said otherwise, until today! Also after I checked what I did weigh before I went in (which in my head I'd reduced but had written down somewhere else as evidence of my poor diet) ............and I've lost 9 pounds! Ooer! I hope it's fat off my thighs and not any of the muscle I managed to build up at the gym.

As you can probably make out, there is still some yellow bruising to the centre of my belly and I do still feel some tightness when I turn over in bed. The majority of the scab has gone but I think it'll be another couple of weeks before there is delicate new skin and no scabs. I'm patting some Bio Oil in when I remember in the hope that it doesn't cause me any trouble when I get back into wearing my jeans on a regular basis - I'm still wearing low rise joggers and big t-shirts (for decorating also) to avoid putting any unnecessary pressure on the scar.

If those of you who still have a rectum, or managed to escape radiation have a reversal coming up then I can say I would recommend going for reversal. I had an awful time in hospital, I really did think I'd be heading back to theatre for a permanent colostomy or ileostomy if my colon refused to work, I was scared of food and the future yet again. I'm still holding in the back of my mind the thought that I've got another liver scan coming up in a month or two because they're being cautious over the "chemo damage" streaks and want to make sure that's exactly what it is.

Still, even with the pain, which I'm sure can be reduced by some treatment, if not eradicated completely, I think I'd rather have this and have the chance to wear what I want again. On a more positive note the pain in my butt does take my attention away from the stabbing shooting pains in my feet and the horrible, shudder inducing numbness and soreness that is peripheral neuropathy. I had thought I'd be handing my blue badge back sometime soon, but my feet are so sore and painful I'm keeping it.

2008 Jan 27th - Joining the Gym

I've had a busy few days lately and that includes joining the gym. I've got sixteen months for the price of 12 and no joining fees so I figure while I've got some money, why not! I need to get out of the house and get into some sort of routine and I desperately need to get strong again. My muscles have wasted away so badly that I could only manage four minutes on the bike for the fitness test and my legs were aching and wobbly most of the afternoon and evening and I was so tired after just that and a few sit ups! Mind you I did have a rotten head cold at the time.

My lung function and BMI are fine, needless to say my muscle strength and everything else is rotten including my body fat ratio. Still, not much point going if it's all good is there! At least I'll get to see how much I've improved in a few months.

I've got a few more appointments for February now:

6th Feb - scan to check there are no new tumours (small sentence, BIG DEAL)
11th Feb - pre op checks (assuming no new tumours discovered else the op is off)
19th Feb - appointment with surgeon for a "visual" check on the joins and j-pouch
22nd Feb - surgery and a very UNtearful farewell to PTW

In the meantime I'm filling my days with gym appointments. I had to do my program plan in two sessions because of my cold - I nearly passed out after 5 minutes on a sit down bike and 5 minutes on the rower. I was just stood on the cross trainer and oooer missus I got the shakes and hot and cold sweats and had to go for a sit down. I had drunk nearly half my litre bottle of water by this point too so it wasn't dehydration.

I finished the plan off today with the trainer and went through which weight machines I can use to start with and she showed me some floor exercises to do - some with a giant ball - which will also help to strengthen my abs and legs since these are the weakest areas after lying around for the last year. I felt much better today and did a few lengths in the pool and too Phoenix with me - he persuaded me to sit in the spa which was GREAT! Never been in one before but it was lovely and warm and my hands and feet were much less "fizzy".

Despite having been out on Saturday night with Team Ferrer et al. I felt pretty good and had a very healthy salad with smoked salmon and feta cheese.

Monday I've booked in for a relaxation/toning class (all classes are included in membership) and Thursday for aquarobics in the evening and I'll do the gym on Tuesday, Friday and Sunday. It's a good set up because you can book any of the classes up to five days in advance and don't have to go to the same ones at the same time or even day so less chance of getting bored or missing anything.

I've got four weeks before surgery and I want to do something constructive. This year is all going to be about getting BETTER. Last year was killing cancer, this year I'm recovering from it. Unfortunately that means returning to work but I'm hoping that will be easier if I'm fitter before I go back.

I talked to my boss on Friday to make sure that going back part time was an option (they have to try to accommodate me, it's the law) so that's all sorted. I managed to have a chat with most people I wanted to see, those who haven't left at least! I got a lovely pep talk from G***** and a hug (that was the best bit) who's had way too much cancer and death in his family already and told me back in the days before Tyson was discovered that "cancer is going to be scared sh*tless when it realises who it's up against, it'll give up". He also told me I'm the only woman he knows who has bigger balls than him...............ahem. I hope he meant metaphorically and that my bag wasn't just a bit too full!

I'm off to bed now at a reasonable hour for a change - must get up in plenty of time so I'm not late for class tomorrow.

2007 Nov 17th - Chemo Round 2 No 7

Saturday, November 17, 2007

What a slacker.......... Category: Life Oh I say, I've been really lazy about this blogging malarky haven't I? I think Santa may have got my note because despite my neutraphil count being only 1.3 on the Friday they somehow got up to 1.6 on the Monday!! Woohoo! Chemo number 7 full steam ahead. However I was desperately tired having been awake from 3.30pm on the Sunday and just wanted to sleep. Tough luck. I managed to sit myself next to a poor old chap who had enjoyed good health his entire life only to end up with leukaemia and then have a stroke mid treatment. To be fair apart from the fogginess and memory loss he was doing really well, no paralysis or speech trouble, unlike one of my bowel cancer buddues who had a stroke on the operating table, then got lung problems on top of being stage 4 and was looking pretty grim for a while. (If you or Sandra are reading this Dave, a big High Five for hanging in there and coming out the other side). He was in a total fog and asked me the same questions about 6 times. It's not an easy thing to reassure someone in a worse state than you when you are on the verge of madness through lack of sleep. Every time I closed my eyes to try and doze, he asked me again, "How often do I come here love?". Tuesday I saw my lovely surgeon (now by lovely I do not mean the marrying kind, he's just a bloody good surgeon and he saved my life). More agonising examinations......grr I wish I didn't know how big those rigid sigmoidoscopes are.......just the thought of it makes me clench. He couldn't see enough due to the pain (and my cries of OW were probably putting him off) so is going to do a flexible sigmoidoscopy under sedation in the new year. I have had one without sedation but given my radiation damage it's too painful now. Of course given that my sisters seem to be immune to sedation I'm not looking forward to that either! If everything looks OK and has healed properly then I should get my reversal sometime from March onwards. Five days in hospital and then about 3 weeks in the toilet (must redecorate them both as a priority) and oh bugger - I get my body AND my life back......... What the hell am I going to do then? Well firstly I'm going to have to start applying for jobs closer to home now. I need to find an employer who doesn't mind the fact that I'm going off sick for four weeks minimum in March............end of the financial year.......hmmm. Busy period for most businesses. Of course you'd think I'd consider going back to my current job - firstly no-one has bothered to tell me what the hell I can do IF I go back. My seconded job has ended, my desk no longer exists. My job prior to secondment a year ago has been subject to re-organisation and no longer exists. Add to that, I haven't been there since February and have probably forgotten how to use our systems. Oh and the thought of driving for an hour each way with an unpredictable rear end doesn't fill me with excitement. My best friend, both at work and outside work is out in the field following promotion and a lot of good people have been made redundant or left in my absence. I'd love to be made redundant. Just this one time. I've done the trekking down to London to hot desk down Shaftesbury Avenue at Performance offices where you can just plug your ipod into the sound system that filters music into to the office all day. I've done being out of the house for 13 hours just to complete a 7.5 hour working day and frankly it sucks. I spent 7 years working my way around the company to get a job I loved, was good at and wasn't phased by meetings with directors because they knew me by name. My half pay is probably all I'd get locally for doing a full working week! But it's all relative. I've been working since I was 14 (part time then obviously) apart from the 5 years I took off to be with my babies. Thanks to insurance my mortgage is now much smaller so I can afford a drop in income. This is the first year I've ever claimed Tax Credits and am frankly stunned that I qualified on what I thought was a bloody good salary for additional pay outs. I just want something easy with a small friendly firm, close to home or schools which covers the mortgage, the bills, fuel and food with a little left over. Which is exactly where I was before but I had a bigger mortgage! Weird thing is, now I know I'll still get tax credits to top me up to over the income I was earning before..........so I feel guilty if I accept them because I've always managed without benefits since I was 18. Then I think about the hoardes who never bother to work at all. I think about the hard graft I've put in working 7 days a week, or 5 days and one night shift a week (I'm practised at staying awake for over 30 hours at a time and still feeding children, doing laundry etc). I think about all the prescription charges I paid for when I was entitled to an exemption and I think SOD IT. I got cancer, I dragged myself through it with a lot of help mostly from my little Umpalumpa and three very good friends (Angela, Hayley and Mike). I've earned the right to take what's on offer for the next year or two aren't I? More importantly my children have earned the right to see their mother recovering and NOT being away from home. The thought that I may now be able to take them to school, fetch them home with a bit of work in the middle is keeping me going. Once I've got some energy back and am not bedridden by lethargy, pain and side effects. Next year is suddenly looking a hell of a lot better. Meantime, I've got to jab myself in the belly with the GCSF - little soldier cells just have to fight their way through to 26th November so I can have a party on the 28th when hopefully the 53cm spaghetti will get ripped out of my arm! WOO.....AND INDEED....HOO! Please keep them crossed people xxxx 13:49 - 4 Comments - 4 Kudos - Add Comment - Edit - Remove

	Mandy	Great to hear from you Lisa, Having a laugh at the thought of you re-decorating the toilet and the hospital though (sorry)! Fingers crossed the next chemo runs to time, I know how good it feels to finish before Christmas, as that's what happened to me last year. Take care Mandy x Posted by Mandy on Sunday, November 18, 2007 at 22:47 [Remove] [Reply to this]

	Peter	They're all crossed for you. Posted by Peter on Sunday, November 18, 2007 at 22:47 [Remove] [Reply to this]

	Bad Fish	I sympathise with the work thing - I can't bear the thought of going back to work in London - 3 hour daily commute - and not having been there since February either, I'm not sure what I'll be facing. Some of my friends have left too ... Got an e-mail from one of my bosses yesterday evening asking when I was coming back. Er - next year do? I was laughing at Peter Hain's interview on the Today programme this morning about Inacapacity Benefit: 'it's not what people can't do, it's what they can do. Can they sit in front of a TV screen, sorry, PC with a mouse'. Well Pete I can, but I can't type properly, I can't grip competently either (so no lifting) and I don't want to travel for an hour and a half with a bunch of morons on a train to not do it. Posted by Bad Fish on Tuesday, November 20, 2007 at 17:53 [Remove] [Reply to this]

Umpalumpa

Fingies and toes crossed, champagne on ice xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Posted by Umpalumpa on Tuesday, November 20, 2007 at 17:53

2007 Aug 29th - I Hate Chemo

Wednesday, August 29, 2007

I can almost hear the chemo whispering in the bushes.... Category: Life I'm supposed to be having chemo number 4/12 on Monday and already I'm dreading it, not least because I still get spazzy hands and feet and face if the temperature drops enough - good reason to stay in bed though! Saw my lovely surgeon Mr A yesterday. I couldn't find my appointment card but knew it was 12 something ........maybe 12.45.......? Rather than ring up I thought I'd make a day of it (free parking in the private car park, or with my disabled badge - wouldn't you? No...? Just me then.) I arrived at 12 just to check in - I was right it was 12.45 so I wandered off down to the restaurant for a veggie lasagne and black weak tea - I was feeling weak and a bit wobbly so couldn't face cowjuice. The lasagne was disappointing - it was peas, sweetcorn, diced carrots. I was expecting aubergine, courgette and tomatoes . I don't know why (well I think I do actually but won't go into that just now) but I was sat staring at the Mental Health Unit and got all teary. Also because the whole hospital means bad things right now, although Mr A has only really given me good news, despite being the confirmer of my diagnosis he had a plan and I knew he was the man for the job. Plus I knew it was cancer before he said the words so it didn't count. To balance the gloom there was a seriously cute baby boy in a high chair. He was with (I'm guessing here obiously) his mum and his grandma. His gran opened his sandwiches (like me she took home made food for the baby not that horrid muck in jars which my kids never liked on the odd emergency occassion) and offered him a finger shaped sandwich, so he vey gently opened his mouth. She was trying to get him to hold it himself but he was feeling like some pampering I think. They laughed, the nurses on the next table laughed, I laughed. The baby boys eyes opened even wider and he smiled. The same thing happened three times before he eventually grasped the food in his little hand. Faith in life being a precious and happy thing restored I shelved my tray and returned to the Bostonian. The younger receptionist was going through checking where Mr A was in his list...she said "I know Lisa...........are you Mr X?" to the other chap in the waiting room. I asked if that meant I'd been there too often since she knew me by sight. The reply was "Oh you're family now Lisa!" which made me feel all sort of happy in a weird way. I told her she'll be seeing me for at least another year yet! Mr A always comes out to greet his patients, which is just the sort of professional but caring chap he is. He told me what I was dreading, but expecting - he needed to check my wounds external AND internal . Not much to check on my tummy - it's a great scar as they go, I have an extra bellybutton now (well it looks like that) but it's a neat job. Assume the position (kissed my knees) and remember the antenatal classes - they came in handy for stitch removal. The nurse had a reassuring (restraining?) hand on my shoulder as the old digital exam took place and I said OW .........a lot. Now I wasn't looking forward to it, but still hoped it wouln't hurt THAT much. I know where he was feeling was where I had a whole organ removed together with the surrounding mass of fatty tissue. I know that in it's place is a J shaped wiggle of carefully stitched "neo rectum" created from some of my colon to try and give me some quality of life in the future. I know that joining the rectal stump and my colon is row upon row of tiny staples. I also know a few of fallen out. I did not know how much it would bloody hurt! After that it was up to me if I had the scope (in for a penny.....) oh bejesus why did I agree to that? I'd forgotten about the air they have to inflate you with () it felt like I was going to be ripped open . After MUCH exhaling slowly to avoid tensing up even more they stopped. Not sure what he saw and I didn't ask. I rarely ask him anything, I just trust him to tell me anything I do need to know. I see him again in 3 months - not a moment too soon. I told him how horrid the chemo was and that I'm seeing an oncologist this week before having any more, that I don't see how I can possibly manage 12 cycles at this point. If I had neuropathy from the first session so badly I think I'm really heading for permanent nerve damage. (Oh yes folks the side effects CAN be pemanent - as will anything cancer related there are NO guarantees or promises). He asked me to take as much chemo as I can and to take care of myself. Now when the head honcho and colorectal surgeon tells you to take the chemo it means he knows you should take the chemo. It means he's basing his advice on decades of experience. Most of his patients are 30 years older than me and will some will die from other health problems before cancer recurrence gets them. One of the friendliest nurses when I was incarcerated had breast cancer 9 years ago. She was one of the few people I offloaded my true fears on, she knows how it is. She knows people who have had a recurrence from breast cancer after 22 years. We both know we'll always have a shadow following us - but it's mind over matter whether you stay in it's shadow. I'm trying to stay in the sunshine! If I can get through the next two years without any shadows on my scans maybe I can chill out a bit more, that's when colorectal cancer usually comes out of hiding to bite you on the proverbial again. Like I said I was making a day of it so after shaking Mr A's hand I went to the chemo suite to check on my appointment re EVIL CHEMO side effects. An appointment hadn't been made (I had a suspicion because it was fairly manic last time) but has now. While I was there I had my line flushed leaving me all day today to erm.......do absolutely nothing! The house is a mess, my room is the worst and I just can't do anything about it. My MacMillan nurse said someone described the lethargy that accompanies chemotherapy as a really heavy quilt that they just couldn't push off them. Oh well maybe I'll make the kids help after dinner......... 16:29 - 4 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment - Edit - Remove

	Umpalumpa	Kim/Aggy at your service friday PM should you require assistance m'lady...................... xxxxxx Posted by Umpalumpa on Wednesday, August 29, 2007 at 19:13 [Remove] [Reply to this]

	Lisa Left Eye Loopylalalalala	Hehe, I might have discovered my cleaning mojo by then.......I'll iron, you vacuum! It's bound to need doing again by then.........and then we can have a nice mug of chai! Posted by Lisa Left Eye Loopylalalalala on Wednesday, August 29, 2007 at 19:23 [Remove] [Reply to this]

Umpalumpa

Have bought some chai today - yum, yum, little pigs bum................... Posted by Umpalumpa on Wednesday, August 29, 2007 at 19:31

2007 Jun 26th - Post Op Surgeon Appt.

26 Jun 2007

Surgeon's visit Category: Life Yesterday I had my stitches out. Nice district nurse came and donned plastic pinny, gloves and a pair of tweezers. She tackled the big loop from my belly button to above the lady bits and cut it........then tugged (I did lots of deep SLOW breathing and meditated on a spot on mum's spare room ceiling) then paused as it hurt, this went on several times as inch by inch the blue nylon came out oooo it did not feel nice. The smaller loop was easier as it was only a couple of inches long and straight. Felt quite wibbly afterwards! I have today completed exemption form for prescriptions and nice lady Shirley at mum's surgery (temp resident again at my old surgery whilst staying at Mum's Private Hospital, hurrah) stamped it for me (she's allowed) and posted it first class. Considering the disabled badge application now as I went to see my lovely surgeon today.......... Tyson's two kids (Beavis and Butthead) who were growing in my lymph nodes (big enough to be on scans) were still bloody there when they did the op. Therefore I get to keep PTW for next lot of chemo which will be 4 to 6 months worth (blood checks every fortnight could mean it takes longer). Surgeon reckons I'll be well enough for reversal around March 2008. He really is such a lovely man, he said I'd been a really good patient and it had been a pleasure to treat me. He also did me a massive favour which I can't really publicise - but all I can say is, it was entirely his decision and purely down to him being a truly lovely man. Needless to say there was some eye leakage!!!! He asked if I had anything else to ask or say and all I could think of was THANK YOU! AND he didn't want to poke my new rectum either, just admire his sewing, which we've all complimented him on - his wife says he should be making curtains for the house and I had to agree. My scar at three weeks is mostly a very thin 1mm dark line and the neatest thing I've ever seen. He also offered to arrange some counselling for me as he's concerned and puzzled by me appearing so together and never sobbing in his office, even at diagnosis but still unable to bloody sleep longer than 2 hours at a time after 3 weeks. Yawwwwwwn. I'm considering it but again, work have a free private service I might take advantage of just to get my money's worth! Went to see stoma nurse again to check on the bit of PTW that had separated from my tummy - it's healing nicely and she took the other three "dissolvable" stitches out that refuse to dissolve in me! Still grounded by my mum, but being allowed out to play at my own house on Thursday but only cos I've got my boss friend Angela staying over. Family 18th party on Saturday afternoon so looking forward to that, may indulge in some watered down wine.......... Bottoms up!

2007 June 4th - Major Lifesaving Surgery

Monday, June 04, 2007

Surgery updates/progress bulletins........ Category: Life As you will now know, unless you've been a tardy reader of my blog, I will be having my op on Wednesday 6th June. I'll be admitted at 10am on Tuesday morning for pre op tests just to make sure I'm fit enough for the whole procedure so am unlikely to be able to post after Monday evening. My special little sister Beckie (Umpalumpa) will post a reply to this very blog on Wednesday evening at some point just so you'll know I'm back in the land of the living, albeit drugged up to the eyes with the best pain relief money can buy - I believe an epidural is thrown in and I never had one of those for the three times I went into labour so that's gotta be a bonus eh? I've done a bit of visiting friends at the last minute so sorry if I didn't get round to you but seriously my head is all over the place right now. Alfie is safely deposited chez Angela where I'm sure she'll be spoiled rotten and fattened up a treat. I had a little tear when I drove away (at Angela, not the rabbit!!) but had a word with myself and managed to see all the way home - always useful I find. I had a nice "normal, just like old times Before Cancer" evening sat around the chimnea with Lesley, Hannah and Alex which was lovely, I was a bit hysterical I think and overly jolly and was grinning nervously most of the time. Polished off two glasses of red wine when I got home - which made me feel AWFUL this morning, despite the gallon of water I drank but it's the old last supper thing isn't it - I mean the tumour is going so I'm sure all these weeks of abstinence won't be undone by two glasses at this late stage. I think I'd better head off to bed, there's a lot to be done tomorrow! See you all soon. Lisa xx 6:48 - 13 Comments - 2 Kudos - Add Comment - Edit - Remove

	Hannah	See you soon sweetie, as soon as I read you're up to visitors I shall co-ordinate with Lesley and come n see you. If we can't come together I will take a wander up while kids are in school. Don't worry(yeah right!) everything is going to be fine. Luv ya. x Posted by Hannah on Sunday, June 03, 2007 at 23:15 [Remove] [Reply to this]

	Hayley	Hey Mate, Thinking of you and keeping everything crossed, need you to recover quickly so you can come out here and make fun of my jelly belly! Hayley xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Posted by Hayley on Monday, June 04, 2007 at 06:31 [Remove] [Reply to this]

	janey jane jane	Hey you, take good care of yourself and get Becky to send me the hozzie address so I can post you something. God who am I going to talk to on MSN on a drunken Friday night. I had such a hangover and I'd only had 3 Jack Daniels for goodness sake. Love you lots xxx Posted by janey jane jane on Monday, June 04, 2007 at 08:33 [Remove] [Reply to this]

	Umpalumpa	The day before.............. We arrived at the hospital early, laughing like school girls because a) after 'expertly' reversing the car into a parking spot I got Lisa's bag out of the boot and managed to trap approximately half a tree in the boot when I shut it b) the bag itself was almost as big as me and I nearly toppled over c) the little 'I DOG' I got for her was barking and whining all the way there Lisa's room is lovely, with patio doors and a garden outside which will make her stay more comfortable I'm sure, along with the 'Hotel Service' (although unfortunately she won't get to appreciate the full A la Carte Menu on offer) - couldn't see a mini bar anywhere though! A nurse came and asked her a gazillion questions, took BP etc. and after watching a little TV I left her to go to work. I went back at tea time with Karys, by which time she had taken 2 sachets of Picolax (hope thats spelt right) All I can report so far, is that she is (quote) 'chuffing hungry' and has had 13 explosive and watery bowel movements between the hours of 12:35 and 19:45. Not surprisingly, Lisa feels quite wobbly, only being allowed clear watery fluids today. The Operation is at 9:00am. I am going to see her before she goes, and will let you know how she got on tomorrow evening. Beckie x Posted by Umpalumpa on Tuesday, June 05, 2007 at 22:26 [Remove] [Reply to this]

	Umpalumpa	Day One Sorry for the late update, but as you can imagine, it has been one of the most worrying days ever. I arrived at Lisa's room 7.40am - early I know, but didn't want to risk not seeing her before she was taken to theatre. I was greeted by Lisa and her new friend - Dolly the Drip!! The nurses had put a 'baby octopus' in her arm which connects to Dolly! Lisa had a pair of oooh so sexy stockings on (made to measure - we have photos, of course) and the operating gown, which I have to say has improved since I went to theatre i.e. your bum doesn't show! 8.40am I saw a hospital porter outside the room doors and my heart sank. Lisa was wheeled out the room, (and then wheeled back in as the aneasthetist needed to see her). After he left, I followed them to the operating floor, they let me stay for a while, and put her hat on/got her on the bed etc. ooh and Lisa insisted they let me look at photos of Tyson (ugly horrible nasty little B*****d grrrrr). Lisa was smiling and so, so brave but the floodgates opened (mine).. It was time for her to be wheeled away and I just found it so hard to leave her. I felt really guilty afterwards because she was so brave but I couldn't stop it. The nurse took me back and told me to get a drink before I went. It was a long day - I went to work for 2 hours but looked at the clock probably 20 times an hour and at 2.30 I phoned but was told there was no news. At 3.15 I rang again and was told that she was out of theatre but in the recovery room as there was no space in ICU (gggggrrrrr). I got to the hospital ICU at 5.20 (with Lisa's daughter) and we were told she was STILL in recovery and should come back in 45 minutes. So we did, only to learn that she infact got out at 2.10 and spent the best part of 4 hours in the recovery ward. Anyway - I was just so relieved to see her. She has tubes coming out of everywhere possible, Drains/Catheter/Drips, a central line, mask on face, monitors (basically very scary stuff). They said she needs 4 units of blood, these started when we got there. She was a little sick, which was really scary for her as I know she was worried about her stomach, but she was fine and was given some anti sickness drugs, along with something to stop the itching (aparently due to the epidural) She was looking very pale, but talked for a while and made jokes with the nurses about the catheter etc. Apparently her temperature went up to 38 while in theatre. Her Son arrived and I know Lisa was really pleased to see the children, likewise they were so happy to their mum. I can't give any details about the operation itself as the ICU staff only keep her stable, they don't get to know much about the procedure. Hopefully we will find out more tommorrow. As I said to Lisa, its TYSON '0' - LISA '1' (to which she replied actually its TYSON '0' - LISA '1' & PICOLAX '15' There is still a long long way to go but she will get there, I have every bit of faith in her, and we will help her all the way. Posted by Umpalumpa on Wednesday, June 06, 2007 at 22:22 [Remove] [Reply to this]

	Umpalumpa	Day 2 Saw Lisa This afternoon, she was quite uncomfortable as you can imagine. The surgeon has been, he said he thinks he got a good clear margin, and although it is a big operation, it went straightforward. Unfortunately her epidural was only working on one side so she was in pain today, till they sorted her out with other pain relief. She looks exhausted, not helped by the constant beepity beeps in ICU, as she can't sleep very well, just short naps really. I think she'll be glad to get to her room, for sleep catchup! Its so upsetting watching her suffer, I want to wave a magic wand and take it all away but I cant. Saw her again tonight and she was much, much better, they have sorted the epidural and its made her feel so much better. Mum is back (yay!) and it was very emotional. I couldn't believe the difference in her, in just a couple of hours. She is such a fighter.......................... Posted by Umpalumpa on Thursday, June 07, 2007 at 22:38 [Remove] [Reply to this]

	Umpalumpa	Day 3 Lisa is now back in her private room. ICU decided to take ALL her lines out (including the antibiotics and fluids that were still needed) so when I first saw her tonight she was very uncomfortable. Once the painkillers they had given her started to work, she was looking much better again, I just don't see why they put her through this, she has a huge wound that needs pain relief to keep her comfortable. On the whole she does look great though, she managed to move herself around the bed well, and has eaten JELLY AND ICE CREAM!!!! If they just manage to control the pain relief, it will be so much better for her. Also hoping she sleeps better now she is away from the noise of ICU (although I think secretly she will miss the nurses gossiping at night hee hee) Each day she gets stronger, she is doing so well............ Posted by Umpalumpa on Friday, June 08, 2007 at 22:41 [Remove] [Reply to this]

	Umpalumpa	What can I say - She looks absolutely amazing considering she had major surgery just days ago. They removed the drain (big big ouch) and catheter this morning, so she was able to start moving about. Mum and I arrived just before lunchtime, she got out of bed a number of times to empty her bag and was sitting in a chair when we left. She also had friends visit today, and has started booking appointments for people to visit!! (well, she is a popular lady!) I've said it before, and I'll say it again, I'm very proud her, I think we all are. Posted by Umpalumpa on Saturday, June 09, 2007 at 19:31 [Remove] [Reply to this]

	Umpalumpa	Lisa is still progressing really well. She looks so well considering the ordeal she has been through this week. (My fiancee Steve was amazed) Unfortunately her bag leaked during the night which was very upsetting, but she seems to have picked herself up very well indeed. When we left this evening, she was tucking into a Jacket Potato (minus the skin) with prawns! Posted by Umpalumpa on Sunday, June 10, 2007 at 19:23 [Remove] [Reply to this]

	Umpalumpa	Today, Lisa was very tired. She is still looking really well, but she has been through such an ordeal, the lack of sleep isn't helping really i guess. The hospital are really pleased with her progress, and suggested possibly Wednesday/Thursday to be discharged. Posted by Umpalumpa on Monday, June 11, 2007 at 17:36 [Remove]

	Umpalumpa	Great news................ Lisa will be discharged on Thursday, when she will go to Mum's house, to recuperate further! They removed her dressings today and she is looking forward to having a shower!. The swelling in her tummy goes down a little each day, and the scar is very scary and multi-coloured (to match the bruises from various lines they put in/attempted to put in) but healing well. I can't believe its a week tomorrow since they operated. It is amazing how quickly the human body can begin to heal from something so serious. Posted by Umpalumpa on Tuesday, June 12, 2007 at 21:20 [Remove] [Reply to this]

	Umpalumpa	Lisa was really pleased to see the 'surprise' relative today. Again, her tummy has gone down some more, she still looks very tired though bless her. I will sign out now as Lisa's 'reporter', I know you can't wait to hear from her! Posted by Umpalumpa on Wednesday, June 13, 2007 at 21:00 [Remove] [Reply to this]

Umpalumpa

Lisa was feeling very poorly today, she has no energy so they decided to keep her in. Her back was aching quite a bit, and she feels sick, which makes it realy hard for her to eat anything. They are monitoring her fluids in & out, and will see how she is tomorrow. Posted by Umpalumpa on Thursday, June 14, 2007 at 20:23