Thursday, April 2, 2015

Face lift and tummy tuck coming up

Tuesday was a very good day.

I had my scan on Friday.  Usually we can go and get the results right away, usually within 3 hours but somehow there was a hangup.  They kept having problems.  So the days went by and still no results.  I was beginning to imagine things like, "Maybe it's bad news so they don't want to tell me."  Finally I just decided that I didn't care what they told me, I know what I believe that God has told me so that information trumps all doctors.

Finally we had a appointment with our doctor on Tuesday.  We went in and he said, "I'm sure you have already read your report."  We usually do.  This time we told him that we didn't know anything about it.  He smiled and started to read.  "No change in tumor size since February scan"  JoLynne and I went out in the hall and cried.  JoLynne said she felt like going dancing.  I couldn't think of anywhere to dance at 11:00 am.  Our daughter suggested the senior citizen center.  We didn't take her up on that.

No growth is great news.  Because I have a hard tissue tumor it won't shrink for a long time, even if it is dead.  The fact that it isn't growing is awesome.  The only time in the last three years that I have had the tumor growth stop for any length of time was when they hit me with that massive radiation that I am still suffering from.  That stopped it for a year.  Frankly in that area it is still stopped.  Everything there is stopped dead...literally.  Healthy tissue and cancer alike all dead.

So now the path is clear for reconstruction...Yeah.  In about a week and a half we leave for Miami.  April 17th will be the surgery.  We arrive a few days early to do preliminary work.  JoLynne has rented a house that will be very nice to recover in.  I will be a week in the hospital and then will need to remain in the area for a month in case there are complications.

I'm pretty excited to have a complete face again.  They will be using skin from my tummy, literally they are calling it a tummy tuck.  They asked me to gain weight and I have really tried.  It hasn't been easy.  A dear friend and neighbor clued me into some stuff that body builders use.  1900 calories per serving.  WooHoo...That has helped a little.  I am now eating about 4500 calories a day and my weight is inching up 1/2 a pound a week.

I have been so blessed.  I know that the prayers of so many have made a difference in my life.  Thank you.  I love and appreciate you.

14 comments:

  1. I have been waiting for this post and I am thrilled to hear the good news! We are praying and thinking of you always. You have always been an inspiration and such a good example (along with JoLynne) and I feel it a privilege to have gotten to know you and your wonderful family!
    Please continue with the updates!

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    1. Dear Ashley, You are so kind. How is Cedar city? I miss having you in the office. You are a hard act to follow. Thank you for caring about me.

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  2. Whew! We have checked this blog every 20 minutes for a week now! Happy Conference Weekend -- we will enjoy it so much more knowing you're okay. Update us often and be sure and take before, during, and after photos.

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    1. Dear Julie. You and Mark know that I love you both. My son Peter is taking a class this fall from Mark. What a blessing to have your husband as a teacher. He will like Peter. He is full of life and goodness.

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  4. Good news on Good Friday!
    We are thrilled for you and your sweet family! We love you all.
    Palmers

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    1. Thank you Jessica. I love your family. It was so nice to see you the other day. That made me happy.

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  5. Great news! Thanks for the update! We still pray for you many times each day.

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    1. Thank you Weldon. I don't know everything about how they run affairs in heaven. However, I do know that prayers are heard. Sometimes they may not be answered the way we want or when we want but they are all heard by a loving Father in Heaven. I am so grateful for your prayers.

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  6. Replies
    1. I see your Yippee and raise you one, Yippee, Yippee

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  7. That is great news Eric! How are things doing with the weight gain? I hope you’ve coping with it just fine. Thinking about your surgery must be very exciting and a bit scary for you, but I’m sure you’ll get through it just fine. Anyway, thanks for sharing this post with us, Eric. Good luck on your surgery tomorrow!


    Byron Brewer @ Knight and Sanders

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  8. Abdominoplasty may be performed using local anesthesia with intravenous sedation or general anesthesia.Cosmetic Surgeon Dr.Milan Doshi,Alluremedspa,Mumbai,India.

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  9. Thanks for posting your facelift and tummy tuck tips and firsthand experience regarding this procedure! I'm planning to have one so this is a big help for me. I appreciate blogs like this that explains tummy tuck procedure .

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