What I Know Now

What we thought and what I know now is different ... so which version should I tell? ha

I thought that I had 2 separate problems - brain cancer and hyperparathyroid - but in my reading and understanding because the doctors haven't been all that clear - my thyroid problem is probably due to my brain cancer. :) Great!

I believe it was the lack of understanding and clarity that made me feel so relaxed about my biopsy. Looking back now, I should have been scared out of pants. Everything happened so quickly that I really didn't have time to think. By the time I was understanding why I was in the hospital in the first place I went under the knife. I thought (at the time) it was a cool experience having a biopsy of my brain - I had to wear a bird-cage contraption that I found very humorous. I felt like tweety bird and made numerous comments about this I do remember.

Fortunatly I don't remember much about this surgery thanks to the great drugs they gave me ... Guess that is what they want? I remember trying really hard to "not forget" but in the end I did. There are bits and pieces I do remember and places I do recall, but overall I don't remember much.
That dang cage left scars though. Because they were preforming a biospy they had to screw (literally) the cage to my head. Therefore, there was a screw in my head (replaced after with staples) and two on the sides of my face. These sides ones did produce some blood and funny-looking scars now. I felt like Frankenstein after, I guess, because I picture him wearing that cage and having similar scars? Weird? Yes, my crazy brain ...
the marks on my face are getting darker, the tanner my face gets. Aughhhh

Recovery was fairly easy for me ... I just remember being hungry. They pumped me up with fluids 24/7 so I quickly gained weight in my stomach and face. Not.so.happy.
They were giving me steroids and vitamins and other (yummy) fluids to help with recovery and my other "problem."

The medicine they were pumping me and I was taking - BTW - I never before could swallow 2 pills at once. Being in there for 2 weeks I quickly learned how to swallow about 5-6 at once. I was so proud of myself. ha ha
----made me pee every 10 minutes (literally). Along with
super starving
super thirsty
moody in the mornings
tired
bloated

Once it was decided that I would have my other surgery before beginning my chemo treatment (that was a lovely conversation between my MANY doctors - ha)  we began to prep. I had to undergo a couple of screenings which lasted several hours. It involved me laying down on HARD tables, in very nonconvertible positions for what seemed like hours. I was scheduled for the following morning, which meant a little rest for me and it gave my dad the chance to drive home and do some errands. A few hours later I came back to my room to only my mom who had the
pleasure of telling me that they had an opening and were prepping me for surgery NOW. WHAT!!??
The only good thing about this was it didn't allow much to settle in. Thank goodness I had eaten breakfast. :)

20 minutes later I was back for surgery, getting a new IV and signing waivers. I was more nervous for this surgery partly because I wasn't prepared (to think and ask tons of questions to my parents) and the other part because I was still confused. I wasn't as confused as when I first entered the hospital, but I wasn't feeling completely secure in the doctors and everything was moving so quickly. I was thankful to have done the surgery then instead of the morning, but still uneasy about the whole situation.
I was also nervous because my mom informed me that with this surgery I was going to have a breathing tube in me and they would take it out once I woke up and could breathe on my own. Secretly, I have always wanted to experience that ... but the fact that it was about to take place really frightened me.  What if I couldn't breathe? What if I freaked out? How would it feel ... would it hurt?
No time to think about these questions. Once I was back getting prepped for surgery, I was out.

The only time I have been in the hospital for surgery, IV, or anesthesia was when I was 5 or 6 to have my tonsils taken out. Needless to say, I don't remember that much. Now, I was doing this twice in a madder of days.
The surgery went fine - a little longer than expected - but fine. I went into recovery, saw my mom, and fell asleep. I don't remember recovery - the only thing I remember is waking up and being wheeled to my room. I was so tired and slept the rest of the night. The next thing I remember is waking up the next morning - STARVING!

Recovery went well - I felt good. Walking was a lot harder for me for some reason. I walked so slowly ... so slowly. I enjoyed getting out of bed and walking - the feeling trapped was quickly coming back.
I still had my good appetite
Still tired

Hoping to get out of the hospital ... what do I need to do to get out???