Goodbye Cancer

The past few days have dragged and I have been feeling very anxious.  I woke up this morning and got the phone and put it next to me and sat eagerly waiting for it to ring... waiting to hear good news about my pathology results.  

I got the phone call I had been hoping for and was told that the results were excellent and there was no residual tumor in my lymph nodes or tissue... Hoorah!!!! What a relief.  Unfortunately I am unable to celebrate due to still recovering from surgery... but when the time comes that I am all healed, celebrations will definitely be in order :) 

My post operative check up is in July... my last 2 exams for my undergraduate studies are in a few weeks... graduation is potentially just around the corner (August) and I can look forward to the rest of my life again :) 

Until next time, keep on smiling, be sensible and make sure you get your regular Pap smear checks, they can save your life :) 

Chelsea x x x

On the Road to Recovery

It has been one week since I had my operation! I was in hospital for 3 days, 3 nights and couldn't wait to get home on Saturday! I had to go to Emergency on Saturday night due to my catheter (yes I had to go home with a urine bag) as it was causing so much pain... I could hardly move lying down, let alone stand up and sit down and the last thing I wanted to do was spend my Saturday night at Logan Hospital Emergency.  Yesterday I had my catheter removed and it was the BEST FEELING EVER! I felt like I had improved 80% already.  I was more comfortable, could sit, stand and walk more easily.  Now I just have to re-train my bladder to work - it hasn't had to do anything for the past 7 days. 

This morning I woke up feeling re-freshed, I had a good sleep last night (first time in a week).  I was able to roll onto my side, instead of lying flat on my back.  I am still quite swollen from surgery, but each day the swelling goes down :) I will have 6 scars in total, including a newly reconstructed belly button.  I haven't seen the other 5, they still have steri strips on them, but they shouldn't be too big.  My poor Mum has to give me an injection every night to essentially thin my blood for the next 3 1/2 weeks... I feel like a pin cushion.

Tomorrow is a big day for me - I get the pathology results.  Fingers crossed I hear good news :) My recovery is going well I think :) Each day gets a lot easier and less painful and I get more comfortable.  Still a little while until I am back to my old self, but things are definitely looking up! 

Thanks for all your support :) 

Love Chelsea x x x    

4 Days to Go

Yesterday was one of the longest and most confronting days I've probably had so far. I had to attend the hospital for a five hours while I saw five different people who went through each different aspect of my surgery on Wednesday. I don't think I have ever been this scared before. I didn't know what to expect with pre-admission, but I definitely walked away with an information overload, some of which I would prefer not to know. I knew my surgery was major, but it wasn't until yesterday that I realised how major it is going to be and how much of an impact this is going to have on the rest of my life.

I can't begin to say how lucky I am that I found out I had cancer when I did as lymph vascular invasion had started to begin :( hopefully this surgery will cure me so that I don't require any further treatment and can live a long life :)

I just want to thank each and everyone person who has supported me, sent me messages and shared and liked my blog and Facebook page. The next few weeks are going to be the toughest and your continued support will really help me remain positive and get through the tough times ahead.

Stay tuned for the next chapter of my story!

Chelsea x x x