Thursday, August 18, 2011

August Happiness Challenge -- Day 18

Hot dog and fries, outdoors! Near the hospital where I visited with the oncologist is my favorite hot dog stand. Because of this summer's oppressive heat, I haven't been there. But today, as a reward for being such a brave girl, I not only had a single (dog, fries and root beer), I dined at one of their picnic tables. There's something about picnic tables ...

Meeting with my third doctor

So today I had my first -- and hopefully only -- appointment with my oncologist. I really liked him. He was extremely blunt, but also thorough and I came away feeling confident that he knows what he's doing and is honest with me.

Unlike my GP and my gynecologist, his focus isn't on my ginormous ovarian cyst. He seemed more interested in the build up of the lining of my uterus, unusual and unnecessary for a woman in menopause. So today he tried to do a biopsy. Uh-oh. He couldn't. There's a lot of residual scar tissue on my cervix* and doing an in-office biopsy was impossible. Since everyone agrees that I'm having a complete hysterectomy, he can't see putting me through a D&C. So while knowing whether or not there's malignancy in my uterus before he cuts is a "nice to have," it's not a "has to have."

He and my gynecologist are going in with a long, high vertical incision and yes, it's going to be quite a scar. He also told me that, depending on what they find when they're in there, he may have to take a portion of my bowel. If that happens, I'll have to be in the hospital longer than three days. Part of why he recommends I take 6 weeks off work is to make certain that there's no post-op swelling in my legs.

I didn't enjoy hearing that, certainly. But I appreciated how frank he was. And he did -- this is so important -- emphasize that everything is more likely benign than malignant. And if that's the case, when I wake up, he will be long gone and my gynecologist will resume my care exclusively. That's why we hope we'll never see one another again!

My surgery will likely be 9/2, maybe 9/9. I'll find out for sure tomorrow.

Thank you for all the good thoughts, everyone! And please, keep 'em coming!

*Yet another reminder of Stephen Doe. No, I don't forgive him for what he did to me. And I can't forget, because it keeps cropping up at unexpected times. Bastard.

August Happiness Challenge -- Day 17

Shame on me! I forgot to post this yesterday! But at least I did remember to be happy.

It was the sky on Wednesday. So beautiful! And the way the buildings looked, reaching into them. Yes, Chicago is, by far, the most gorgeous city EVER!

The TV Meme

Thank you, Ms. Kwiz.

Pick your five favorite tv shows (in no particular order) and answer the following questions about them.
Don’t cheat!

1. Mad Men


3. Law & Order: SVU

4. The Closer

5. Royal Pains

Who is your favourite character in 2? Duh. Leroy Jethro Gibbs. You deserve a head slap for even asking the question!

Who’s your least favourite character in 1? Betty.

What’s your favourite episode of 4? The ones with Charlie, Fritz' troubled niece. She was played by Kyra Sedgwick's real-life daughter, and the chemistry between Charlie and Brenda was engaging.

What is your favourite season on 5? I get confused on the seasons with this one because it premieres and reruns on a schedule different from other shows. Still, I liked the season that introdued Hank and Evan's dad (Henry Winkler). It explained a lot.

What is your favourite relationship in 3? Elliot & Olivia! I can't believe they're writing Elliott out without them ever getting a chance to do it.

Who has the bad relationship in 2? Tony and Ziva, or TIVA, as they are known on fan boards.

How long have you watched 1? I got hooked in the middle of season 1, but I have caught up and seen them all.

How did you become interested in 3? I was a huge fan of the original L&O.

Who’s your favourite actor in 4? Kyra Sedgwick, aka My Girl Brenda

Which show do you prefer, 1, 2, or 5? You're making me choose between Mad Men and NCIS? Between Don Draper and Gibbs? OUCH! I guess I'd have to go with Mad Men because it's such a smart show. NCIS is a lot of things, but it's not intellectually challenging.

Which show have you seen more episodes of, 1 or 3? 3. There simply are more episodes to see. I doubt I'll watch any of the next season's episodes, what with all the upcoming cast changes. (No Olivia and Elliott? No Gal.)

If you could be anyone from 4, who would you be? Brenda. She really loved her cat.

How would you kill off your favourite character in 1? Do I have to? OK, I'd have Don die of a heart attack while in bed with an aspiring copywriter named The Gal Herself.

Give a random quote from 1. Peggy says, "You never say thank you." To which Don replies, "THAT'S WHAT THE MONEY IS FOR!"

Pair two characters in 3 that would make an unlikely, but strangely okay couple. Munch and the M.E. (Do we know her name?)

Has 4 inspired you in any way? No

Over all, which show has a better cast, 3 or 5? Until this moment? #3. But with the upcoming changes to Law & Order: SVU, I don't think that will last.

Which has better theme music, 2 or 4? Oh, 4. "Rely on yourself/trusting someone else is a path for the silent ghost."