About Me

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I am a retired English teacher and department head, the mother of three grand mother of four, and have been married to the same man for 52 years. I subscribe to Dr. PM Forni's concept of Civility. I was born in South Philadelphia and grew up in the 'burbs. I love soft pretzels and cheesesteaks, the Phillies, the Eagles, and San Diego. I love being Mom, Aunt Kathy, Nona Kathy, and Teacher. I spend a lot of time in my gardens in the spring and summer, and in the winter I plan what I'm going to plant. I also am an avid reader and photographer.

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Tuesday, July 19, 2011

Another Opening; Another Show

I think I have to get a new hobby or I'll just chalk this up to maintenance and upkeep. 

The birthday/diverticulitis occurrence caused some problems, ones that can only be fixed surgically, so I will return to the operating theater on July 29th to have part of my colon removed and a fistula repaired.  I'm ready, feel deeply well, and look on this as a challenge.

The surgeon will use the same site/ the scar line of the radical hysterectomy that removed the ovarian cancer.  The surgery will take a few hours,  I'll be hospitalized for a few days, and the recovery will take about six weeks.  (A simpler, laparoscopic surgery is not an option because of the amount of scar tissue from the other surgery.)

Am I nervous?  A little, but I'm readying myself this week and next with acupuncture treatments  and plans for treatments after surgery to promote healing and conquer pain.  I'm also doing more stretching, cardio and weight training to get my body ready for the ordeal.  I've met with the anesthesiologist and the surgeon and both have been supportive and informative and I have confidence in both of them.  We're lucky that we live in a part of the country where medical care is exemplary.

The bad news is I'll be out of the blogosphere for a while (from the 29th until the 3rd or 4th) as I don't have a laptop.  The good news...I'll have put the diveritculosis/itis at bay and this surgery has to be good for another 10 pound loss!!!  :)  See, my glass is definitely always half full!

21 comments:

Purple Flowers said...

Kath - I am so sorry to hear the news. Question: is it the partial removal of the small or large intestines? God Bless you for your positive attitude.

Pat said...

Sorry you have to go through a surgery but sounds as though you have it all covered...Wishing you a quick and easy recovery. With your positive out outlook all will be good!

Sally Wessely said...

It is wonderful to hear that you have such great medical care available where you are. Even through surgery is never anything one looks forward to, it seems you have put a very positive spin on it. I love how you have a plan.

I'd like to hear more about acupuncture and how it has worked for you.

I will miss you while you are out of blogosphere, but I will be thinking of you.

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Sorry Kathy that you have to go through surgery --but if it will help your problems, then I'm sure it will be worth it... God Bless...

Keep us posted.
Hugs,
Betsy

George said...

I'm glad your glass is always half full. That sort of attitude helps with healing and recovery. I believe prayer also helps and we will keep you in our prayers. Hopefully the surgery will fix the diverticulitis problem once and for all.

Lena said...

Oh Kathy, so sorry to hear that you need surgery, but it sounds like you have a solid plan!

I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers for a speedy recovery! I will miss you while you are on break from the blogosphere!

You always have such a good sense of humor and I know that will help you get through this surgery with flying colors!!

Best of luck to you!!!!!

happyone said...

So sorry to hear that Kathy. I will be praying for you and the doctors. You have a very good attitude and that certainly means a lot.

Bilbo said...

I won't make any jokes about this, but I have a ... uh ... gut feeling that everything is going to be fine. We'll be thinking of you...keep us posted and get ready for our next outing to Coastal Flats or wherever!

Jay said...

Well that sucks, but hopefully this will result in things being much better. Best of luck and I hope you recover from the surgery really fast!

Barb said...

I'll keep you in my thoughts on the 29th, Kathy, and will hope for a speedy recovery. Your positive attitude will go a long way in your healing. PS My friend is a 6 year survivor of Ovarian Cancer and is looking and feeling great also.

Sweet Virginia Breeze said...

Oh my, so sorry you are having to go through this. You have a good positive attitude and that should make the recovery so much easier. I will keep you in my thoughts.

Maggie, Mazie, and Mollie send their love.

Deb from WhatsInMyAttic said...

You are such a positive girl! You're doing all the right things, with the right attitude, expecting the best results from your efforts...sounds like you have it covered! I know you'll recover quickly...my best to you!

Linda Reeder said...

You have such a positive attitude, and it sounds like you are really taking charge of your own health and doing everything you can to improve upon a difficult situation.
Best wishes.

Kay said...

Good luck, Kathy! I'll be thinking about you. You are certainly going into this in a positive frame of mind and that will aid healing.

Gilly said...

I'll be thinking of you, and I really hope it all goes well. No surgery is a bundle of fun, but you have a fine attitude, and I'm sure it will be a doddle!

Mage said...

Diverticulitis is not a hobby. Yes, it will be so good to have all this taken care of. I too have great masses of internal scar tissue, and I hope they can get rid of some of that while they are in there. Hugs at ya. My thoughts are with you.

Shug said...

Hi kathy..

I sure hate that you have to go through this, but I can certainly attest to the fact that diverticulitus is not anything to play around with...I have had many bouts with mr.D and it's no fun!

Prayers are going before you, with you and will be coming home with you...Blessings Sweetie and may you have a very speedy recovery...

Take care

shug

Anonymous said...

Well, another journey right? You are a proven survivor, so there is no doubt in my mind that this is just a blip on your radar.

All my love as you charter the waters...

Anonymous said...

Well crap... but as life goes, it's always something isn't it? Wishing you lots of good karma to bring you through this in flying colors.

Ten pounds? Ooooh, sign me up!!

Di

(GBS) NewsFromTheHill said...

Good for you being proactive about your treatment! Sounds like you're primed get back to normal quickly. Will be thinking of you on the 29th and wishing you an easy recovery!

Unknown said...

I'm sorry I haven't stopped by lately and I'm out of the loop. I have dealt with diverticulitis issuesin the past but nothing like this. I'm sorry you have to go through thi, Kathy. Your attitude id terrific and I know you'll come through it with flying colors.

I also think it's great you got some acupuncture treatments and are working on plans for aftercare. You ah so smaht!

I hope if he's up to it Richard or maybe your daughter will let us all know how you are.