Surgery is Scheduled

Hi Everyone, 

I just wanted to let you all know that my surgery has been scheduled for this Tuesday, March 12, in the afternoon.  I'm scheduled to go in at 3 pm and surgery is expected to take 3-4 hours, but I'm guessing it won't start until 4 and I wont' be out of post-op until as late as 9 pm.  I have a great surgeon - Dr. Mark Whiteford - who has told us that I'll likely be in the hospital for 4-5 days; it will be less if I'm really motivated and all goes according to plan.  Unless things change in the operating room, the surgery will be laparoscopic, and I should be up and walking about the next day, and back to 80% in 6 weeks.  

Since the initial shock of diagnosis, a little over two weeks ago, I've had consistently positive news. The cancer does not appear to have spread, though we won't know for certain until we get the post-surgery pathology, which could take up to a week. I also got connected with a great naturopathic oncologist, Dr. Dave (thank you Heather P!!), who has me on a robust supplement protocol to help support my system pre- and post- surgery, and prevent metastasis. I was initially concerned that Dr. Whiteford wouldn't support my supplement regime up to surgery, since standard surgical protocol is to stop all supplements 5 days prior to surgery.  As Dr. Whiteford pointed out, most of his patients are getting their nutritional information from "the person in aisle 3 at the GNC," and he was happy that I was getting my information from someone who knows what he is talking about.  A great reminder to go to someone well trained in their field. I cannot recommend a good naturopath enough, if you want someone to treat you as a whole person and complement the Western approach.  

Tony and I have had many questions about what we could do to help fight cancer and help support my body to recover from surgery. We have consistently heard that I am better prepared for surgery than most because of our healthy lifestyle choices.  As my dear friend Leigh said - it's as if I have been training for this marathon my whole life since I have often considered my food as medicine.  Let's hope it pays off.    

We (meaning Tony or someone else) will post updates as they are available.  Mom is arriving Sunday to help out and offer maternal support, and a bevy of friends and neighbors have offered to lend a hand with all of the miscellany.  I'm sure we will be taking you up on your generosity.  

Feel free to share these posts with anyone who I might have missed - just a gentle reminder to keep it off Facebook, please.

Thanks for all of your well wishes and positive, healing thoughts. 

xo