Responsibility 199, what is it?

Responsibility 199 is a belief; I believe that to be healthy and to increase my longevity I need to weigh 199 pounds or less...
Responsibility 199 is a need; I need to reduce my weight, reduce my percentage of body fat, and the elevated threat of disease my present condition presents...
Responsibility 199 is a mission; I recognize that achieving 199 will be a challenge, perhaps the hardest I have ever undertaken...
Responsibility 199 is a commitment; I acknowledge that I must commit to action, commit to change, commit to myself and those I love to achieve this mission, to increase my longevity...
Responsibility 199 is ME.

Thursday, April 14, 2011

Day 362 - Hospital Fashion, Wings & Control

Thanks everyone for the posts, emails, etc of well wishes for yesterdays surgey. Very much appreciated!

Isn't hospital footwear the coolest stuff on earth? Yeah, that's a bit of an over-statement. Ok its an outright mis-statement. Even the hospital folks know just how lame they are as they allow you take them home when you leave. They don't let you take home the gown, or the robe, or the stylish mesh cap. Oh no, those they want back. The footwear, they go out of their way to make sure you understand you can keep them.

Everything went well yesterday. We arrived just before 9 a.m. and the parade of forms that needed my signature was soon underway. I must have signed my name 10 times between the time I arrived and actually going into the O.R. about 4 hours later.

I mentioned the gown and robe, it would be wrong of me not to model this cutting edge fashion (pun intended)...
Here I am dressed and ready to get going on the days festivities. No where is my bed on wheels!?

And I mentioned the mesh cap, I think it accents my blue eyes...
At this point I was on the basement where nuclear medicine is located. They had just finished injecting my foreheard with a foursome of needles filled with radioactive something-or-other. I hung out here about an hour and a half while they took a mess pictures tracking just were that stuff traveled to.

And here is where it traveled to...
Now that these doctors and radiologists (I think that is what they are called) did their job the surgeon will know where to target. She would make an incision in the center of that line of X's and then use a small a gieger counter of sorts to find the specific nodes which the stuff traveled to.

Now unfortunately I do not have any pictures of her doing her work, or of the plastic surgeon doing his work on my forehead. Would of loved to have pics or video of that. But since they insisted on knocking me out I was unable to take any.

About two hours after surgery I had awakened enough to leave the hospital and head home. My mother in law saw to it that we didn't have to worry about hunger and had Franks wings waiting for dinner!

Here is what I look like this morning...
She ended up taking out three lymph nodes. Those and the forehead tissue he removed are now enjoying the wonders that take place in pathology. Possibly by end of day tomorrow, but more likely Monday, is when we'll receive those results and know what, if anything, is next.

Until then I feel good, sure in pain but I have meds for that. I'll work from home today & tomorrow and take it easy as prescribed. I'll take some walks to keep the blood moving and head clear.

Ironically I just saw a t.v. commercial for a cancer treatment facility which relates treating cancer to a journey. Sure, call it a journey, call it a battle, call it anything you want.

Should you have to ever have the mis-fortune to have to take this journey take the lead role in your treatment. Question everything even if you appear to be a pest, learn more than you ever cared to know about it; only then can you feel confident and in control. You must be the one in control, not the cancer!


Responsibility 199 - Gotta Do It!!

23 comments:

  1. I was wondering about you:) Hope you are not in too much pain and that the news, when it comes, is good.

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  2. Looks like you got your "poke" for the day!
    So I'll just send big hugs (gentle ones)!

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  3. My surgery socks are bright purple, the gown was lavender. Glad you got your Franks wings! I'm sure your near and dear are taking good care of you. Be strong and know that we're still praying.

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  4. Glad u came through the procedure ok. Hope u find some comfort. Get some rest!

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  5. I am speechless, humbled, and just wishing good tings your way. Wow.

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  6. I'm glad it all went well. Here's hoping the pathology reports come back with good news. Thank you for modeling the hospital fashion, so trendy you are!

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  7. Here's two thumbs up to modern medicine. You look like you're doing great considering . . . Keep up the good fight Patrick.

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  8. I'm glad all is going well so far, Patrick. I'm sorry for your pain and your worry about all this. I am hoping and praying for a good report from pathology. Hang in there and thank you for keeping us in the loop. Hugs. :)

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  9. "hugs" At least it over and done with!! Now for some good news

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  10. So glad to hear it went well. I love that you have kept a positive attitude through this whole process.

    Sarah
    notaneffingdiet.blogspot.com

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  11. I actually like those socks with traction on them lol. Glad you're home and doing ok and you got Frank's wings :) Sending prayers for the report being good and a hug for you :)

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  12. Patrick, you amaze me with your wonderful & positive attitude along with your sense of humor thru all of this! We can all learn from you!!! I mean that!

    I am holding the best thoughts for you & the return work from pathology!

    HUGS!!!!!!!!!!!

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  13. Aren't doctors AWESOME? And Hey, I still have my lovely footwear from my gallbladder and I actually wore them some this winter. Glad to see your approach. You're right, question everything! I have fingers crossed for the results. Thinking and praying for you.

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  14. Hope you heal quickly and everything goes well. Sending good thoughts, prayers and hugs your way! You are a proud fighter!

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  15. I'm sorry that you are going through this, but you certainly have the right Patrick positive attitude! Take care! : )

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  16. Patrick, so glad that part is over for you. so hoping you will have the best results. It is so true about learning as much as you can. I have my fingers crossed for you too. Sending prayers your way...p.s. I don't think the socks are so bad!!! Maybe it is a Canadian thing. lol. be well.

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  17. Take care of yourself Patrick. I will pray for you and the outcome to be good.
    God Bless!!

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  18. I have been out of the loop the last few days! Hope all is well :) I will be keeping you in my thoughts and hoping everything turns out ok :)

    (((((( hugs)))))))

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  19. Glad to hear it went pretty well. Hoping the best for you.

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  20. Patrick, I just found your blog. What a journey you are on and what an amazing traveler you are. I am inspired by your attitude.
    Glad you got to keep at least the socks though I think the mesh cap is much more fashionable. :)
    Hang in there.

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  21. thinking about you and praying for you.


    Carla

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