The day prior to surgery, I decompressed by the River with the boys.

The day of surgery I woke up early with Tommy to go for a walk, clear my head. The boys and I drove Tommy to daycare for an extended stay. We got home, I took my pre surgery shower. Hugged the boys, kissed Jon and headed out the door to my awaiting ride. Two beautiful humans decided to make space for me and drive me to surgery, wait with me and get updates on how everything went throughout the process.

Jon wrapped up at home with the boys, and the adopted grandparents came over to be with the boys overnight.

The case before me was delayed. I was so thankful to have my soul family with me in the PACU. We made jokes, laughed, and all had tears. I am so lucky to have these people in my life. The healing was started even before the surgery began. The surgeon came in, easy to tell the first case was heavy. We had more conversations about pain control, stuck with a plan, and had some more jokes and laughter as well. It was time to go in the OR. All the staff introduced themselves with smiles and bright eyes under their masks. I asked them to all call in their guides and thanked them for being on my case. I then got to choose my go to sleep music; we settled on Benson Boone, Beautiful Things.

I drifted off to sleep.

I woke up in recovery. Only able to whisper, not sure if from the anesthesia or the drugs, or discomfort. I caught myself keep on asking for Jon. The nurse said he was on his way; and he was. Found me after some maze navigation. He came, present, with me. Up we went to the floor. Thankfully we had a quiet room.

Moving at first was quite painful. My first attempt to sit up for dinner after surgery with my chest tube in place was a lot. We got me re-situated and I was able to have some of my meal. We figured out an oral pain medication regimen that got me through the night. Jon in the room offered the most comfort, and him by my side for all the beginning movements. We are a team, a system that has always been able to find our alignment and balance while in each other’s orbit.

In the morning after surgery I was getting in walks and sitting up for meals. They subsequently pulled my chest tube; which is as weird of a sensation as one might think. My follow up chest X-ray was clear, my lungs doing what the should, all my pieces back where they should be. Then the most unexpected; an early discharge home from the hospital! The plan had been 3-6 days in the hospital, here I was leaving post-op day one. My mind was blown. My dear friend from Wyoming was making her way to spend the night with me at the hospital, but instead, got to be my getaway driver. I can not thank her enough, and so grateful she also got to see the boys and Jon.

Being home, with the boys, has been especially helpful to heal. My pain is relatively well controlled with all the medication efforts.

We re-activated the meal train and so grateful for the quick sign up and food headed our way in the coming weeks.

This step is done. Relief and healing have taken place of nervous anticipation and worry of the unknown. If you have it within you, this month is colon cancer awareness month. Blue is the colon cancer ribbon color. Wearing blue the first Friday of the month in support and remembrance of those who have fought or are fighting colon cancer. Wear blue to support research and education around screening and early detection of disease.

Mantras:

Thank you Universe. Breathe. Keep moving.

Music:

Benson Boone, Beautiful Things