Thursday, February 03,2022We (Andy and I) arrived promptly at 5am to the surgical check in at Moffitt Cancer Center. We were both nervous and excited. 😬They brought us back to the preop holding area where you do some additional cleansing and donning of your surgical gown and those wonderful hospital grippy socks. I don’t remember too much but I was calm and at peace.
I am laughing at myself because Andy reminds me that I was peaceful until the anesthesiologist came in. She was not excited about giving the epidural as planned due to some current issues with my spine. Andy had to leave the room as they were prepping me. Andy tells me his last sight was of me in fierce negotiations with the anesthesiologist. Also negotiating that my Eyelashes be covered with gauze before taped!
I got the epidural 😉(and my lashes are great)
My mom joined Andy in the surgical waiting room. The rest is just a long nap for me and hours of anxiously waiting for them. They graciously fielded many calls and texts from friends and family monitoring my progress. All of which I am so thankful for! Surgery lasted almost 6 hours. I woke up to being rolled into my hospital room on 4 south.
Recovery at the hospital was a roller coaster! Much of it is a blur. Mom and Andy took turns as I was only allowed one visitor per day who was also allowed to stay the night. They took wonderful care of me. First couple of days I was “sailing”. The doctors even thought I might discharge Sunday (three nights what!?!). I fooled them with a terrible day and night Saturday wrought with excruciating pain from shoulder to shoulder across my chest. Doctors thought it was caused by the air/gas trapped inside when they close you up. It must find a way out. Sent me for a CT just in case which was also excruciating due to IV problems and then my epidural (which is intended to stay in up to four days) also came out! It was a day full of excruciating pain and I was a hot mess. But…The CT was clear, showed no clots, and showed the area of my one tumor that was ablated rather than resected looking great! Take the win! I rolled into Sunday sooo much better. 😊
My surgeon, Dr. Daniel Anaya was/is simply amazing! A tool sent from heaven. (I was inoperable the day we met) His Fellow, Dr. Scott Kizy also awesome. They followed me thru every step! 💕💕
I was discharged Tuesday to the fabulous Embassy Suites where my mother has been a rock star taking care of me. Cousins Mike and Barbara had their home on standby for me as well! I look forward to my follow up Monday and coming home!
Thank you sooooo much for all of your prayers and support!!! Now we pray that Monday the pathology reports show the tumors were dead when removed and that my subsequent follow up will allow for my second surgery to be scheduled! I need this primary colon tumor out!!!
GET YOUR COLONOSCOPY! No Excuses!💕💕💕
You get your rock star genes from your mom. Prayers and love sent your way. Sorry you had a rough time of it there but I’m so glad you’re on the other side of it now Smile on my beautiful friend ❤️
You are friggin inspirational. I don’t know that I would have the same great attitude as you. I had the same excruciating pain in my chest after a surgery and thought for sure I was having a heart attack…..yup, gas.
I think we should have Andy make some Fuck Cancer grippy socks 🙂
Keep getting stronger. I am praying for you and great results !!!
So sorry it was painful!!! That breaks my heart!!! I will continue to pray my friend. On another note, lol on the lashes 🤣
Praying for you everyday! My daughter had her coloscopy last week and we’re scheduled for ours next month!
Sending love and many wishes for your recovery!
Despite the hiccups I am so glad it went well overall. No doubt you’ve got this beat! We’ll keep praying and you keep healing.
Ugh…that trapped air and shoulder pain is the absolute worst. I literally screamed when that hit after my c section. I am confident that I know what it would feel like to have a sword pass through my shoulder. So sorry you had to experience that. But the rest of the news is sooo encouraging. I know you are going to beat this all the way to the curb.
Angela,
I am so incredibly proud of You, “The Rockstar!” You are such an inspiration to so many! Love and continued prayers your way! ❤️❤️❤️❤️🙏🙏🙏🙏
Julie
God it good!! He is a good good father!
You are loved by him, he is perfect in all ways and will continue to guide your surgeons and Dr’s through this season.
It’s simply a season. 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻😘😘😘You got this, Gos got you! Thank you Jesus for all you do on the daily.
🙏🏻 🙏🏻 Amen.
Love this post. Love you! F Cancer. You got this, girl
I’ll keep the prayers coming for a speedy recovery!!!
I appreciate you, Angela. Your upbeat spirit, your faith, and your willingness to share –all are inspirational.
You know I’ll keep the light on for you, and my fam is praying for you all! A big, gentle, happy hug,
Noel
You’re doing absolutely Amazing Angela. So sorry for that pain. I can only imagine, but it’s full force forward now. One down, and one to go and then smooth sailing ♥️ -I BELIEVE ♥️♥️♥️😇
You’re a superstar!!! Such a fighter!! Prayers for a speedy recovery!!💗💗💗
So Happy to hear such wonderful news! You’re a true fighter and have many soldiers on your side! Xoxo 😘
I am so proud of you woman!! You have always been such an inspiration to everyone around you. I cannot wait to read the update were you tell us all that you are cancer free and on your way to spend the next 40 years traveling around the world with Andy. I love you bunches and I’m praying for you always! God bless you! XOXOXO
Wow what a real trooper you are! So happy surgery went good! Thanks to your Mom and husband for taking good care of you!! Amen to the talented doctors who are carefully treating you. Thank you for sharing your story. You are an example of a strong beautiful woman with the determination to beat this stupid cancer. You are amazing! Love and prayers for you kicking cancer’s ass!!!
What an incredibly positive attitude you have—under the most trying of circumstances. And your insistence on friends getting colonoscopies goes a long way. I’ve been following your journey since you began sharing “Angela’s Voyage,” knowing that I am exactly one day older than you, and had never had a colonoscopy. You got my attention, and I got my colonoscopy. Two polyps were removed, and one of them was the bad kind—caught early enough that I’m able to continue living my best life uninterrupted. Thanks for being the inspirational warrior you are!
Love the hat. Never Thought I would say words like: “It’s kinda cool having a cancer buddy.” Well that’s what we are. I get you and you get me. We are busy kicking Cancer’s ass. Praying for you and by God’s grace we are still fighting the good fight. Keep your head up. Attitude is everything and you got this sister! Fuck Cancer. Let’s Go Brandon!
I’m so happy that you have beaten those ugly bumps in the road! You are an amazing warrior and an example of true courage! My continued prayers for your ultimate recovery! God bless you
Yippee!!! Praise God for answered prayers! We are so happy you are do so well!! We are continuing to pray without ceasing for your full physical recovery
Angela you are amazing! I hope those tumors are dead dead dead! I am praying for you! Feel better every day! 🙏💕
I am glad this is behind you. Now it’s time to heal and get strong. Feel better I am still praying 🙏
Angela
Thank you for the update. It was so comforting to see your pics up walking around. God is so great!! Prayers are still coming for your body to be rid of this cancer for good. Your positivity is amazing and an example for us all!!
Much love
Jodee
Angela, you are AMAZING !!! God is over your shoulder and so is Lorraine !! Proud, proud of you and your attitude. ❤️🙏