…that's 15cm, not mm. Just so you don't think I'm whinging about some little brazil nut, when it's in fact a grapefruit.
Well, I guess a brazil nut is large if it's, like, in your brain…
Of course I’ll need one of these
February 28, 2008 at 9:06 pm (Uncategorized)
Tags: recovery fashion, the latest in
Can't believe I don't have one already!
This should go well with the giant granny panties I'll be wearing for a couple of weeks.
Sorry, TMI….
But anyway, all you girls need to shop here.
Take it out. Now.
February 27, 2008 at 4:42 am (Uncategorized)
Well, surprise of surprises.
I do NOT have a fibroid. I have what is called a serous (fluid filled) cystadenoma. Most likely, benign. On my left ovary. 15cm diameter, i.e., huge.
Cannot be removed laparoscopically, as it must remain intact when being removed. Will require abdominal surgery, and I may opt for a hysterectomy if the specialist recommends it. I'll be doing a bit more research in coming weeks, and will consult with my own ob/gyn. She will refer me to an gyn/oncologist, as these tumors have a small chance of being cancerous.
Don't know when surgery will be, but at least I know what I'm looking at. 3-4 days in the hospital, and 4-6 weeks recovery.
David went with me and sat through it all, including the pelvic and ultrasound. What a trooper! We will get me through this and on with life and projects.
If I could go in and have this surgery next week, I would. I'm glad to know that my weight gain is not just totally me being an out of control loser. But I should lose a few lbs and up the Pilates, for sure. I think that will help with my recovery.
Tomorrow, I start making my movie and TV show list! Hope to have this done and back in circulation by mid-May.
Oh, and the ultrasound image is not very interesting to look at, so I'll refrain from posting it!
Feeling obsessy
February 26, 2008 at 12:16 am (Uncategorized)
Tags: letters to my fibroid
The more I read, the more informed yet confused I become.
The number of fibroid treatments is pretty large.
Then there are several variations on some of those treatments.
Oh, and it might not even BE fibroids.
I need to just forget about it for a minute.
I have a dr appt tomorrow, and even though I have to pay out of pocket (dr. not in hmo system), I'll be talking to someone who specializes in laparoscopic surgery, which I really want.
But shit. There's all kinds of insurance things I have to worry about, too. Like, what they consider elective, and how many different treatments I have to go through before I can get what I want (laparoscopic supracervical hysterectomy) (TMI for some of you). At least, that sounds the least invasive, most effective option.
Ach!
Little time off
February 23, 2008 at 4:39 am (Uncategorized)
Tags: no beading during surgery recuperation
I haven’t been making many beads this past couple of weeks due to preparation for a Wild Party at Chez Omino. I just made a few dot beads with some pretty vetrofond colors, I need to keep up the dot thing and do some more experimentation with stacking. I still don’t have as much control as I’d like, actually, in any category.
I have a potentially very frustrating time ahead, recuperating from a surgery that will make it virtually impossible to sit at my torch. I think I’ll hit a lamwork forum and see if any of my fellows have had this problem, and what (if anything) they were able to do about it. The thought of not making a bead for 2-3 weeks is very sad-making. I could purchase a couple of kits from Rachel, for something creative to do with my hands…but it’s not the same.
Mr. Robot-o
February 21, 2008 at 6:30 pm (Uncategorized)
A trip to the ob/gyn for pelvic exam and investigation of unpleasant abdominal distension Monday.
Diagnosis (unconfirmed until ultrasound 13Mar after doc returns from vaca): Big honkin' fibroid.
Prognosis: Fibroid benign, but large and causing physical discomfort = likely hysterectomy.
Bad news: Traditional surgery = 3-5 days in hospital. 4-6 weeks of recovery.
Better news: Alternative surgeries may be available. Somewhat less invasive, slightly shorter recovery time.
Best news would be if my doc would recommend and my insurance would pay for Da Vinci robotics-assisted laproscopic surgery. Check out the video. Overnight in hospital, 2-3 weeks recovery before returning to work, slightly longer for full pre-surgery activities. Plus, HELLO!, robot!!
This waiting is driving me nuts. I want this to be done already. Since I'm already doing HRT, the loss of my plumbing causes no real feelings of loss of any kind (the reason to do a full hysterectomy is that fibroids usually recur). The time off from work? Well, I used all my vaca and sick time taking care of my dad last year. Fortunately, the University offers a leave donation program, so my co-workers and colleagues can pitch in vacation hours to help me maintain my paycheck during recuperation. But there's no guarantee how much of my time will be covered.
I'm trying to look at the upside of a long stretch at home. Catch up on TV shows I've missed out on (Lost, 30 Rock, Dexter, Battlestar, last 2 or 3 seasons of The Sopranos). Beading (stringing, not making — won't be able to sit at torch). Reading. Writing. Internet surfing. Watching the little sailboats in the Bay.
I've been finding great resources online, too. Best Site: Hystersisters.com. Great forums, excellent moderation.
So. Not the best news, but for Not Great, also Not So Bad.
Don't worry, I won't post the ultrasound picture. Ick.
In case it wasn’t clear…
February 14, 2008 at 6:05 pm (Uncategorized)
Nanu Nanu
February 13, 2008 at 6:21 pm (Uncategorized)
David: Hi everyone! Nanu nanu, ha ha. Just wanted to note a few more details —
Deb: This is na-new for some people.
*chuckles*
David: Oh yes, right, a big hello to those of you who are just tuning in. And to our regular listeners.
Deb: Yes. First, shoes! If you like, you're welcome to make yourself comfortable and pad about our pad "sans chaussures".
David: Strictly voluntary, of course. Tottering around on platforms all night could be dangerous!
Deb: Also, we'll have plenty of food and drink, but there's always room for another casserole!
David: You bet. Now, a few people have asked, "Is this a key party?" Of course it is, we hold very important parties in our community, and this one is key, essential, all-hands, nearly mandatory.
Deb: I don't think that's what they mean. Apparently there's some sort of traditional game with a bowl…
David: Ah, hmm, interesting… nothing about it in Hoyle's or Britannica. But analyzing the existing fragmentary texts, it appears the custom is to bring keys to the party, and put them into a hat or bowl.
Deb: Ah… yes! So if you have some old mystery keys, feel free to bring them for "The bowl". It's not so much a game…
David: …as a meditation. A meditation on "key-ness."
Deb: Yes, a meditation. Speaking of which, I know many of you are gurus and spiritual leaders of one sort or another, and we'd just love for you to share your inner knowledge with us!
David: Uh yeah. That's right. Anything to help with the come-down from EST.
Deb: Now dear, you know that did us so much more good than couples counseling. You've got your ancient astronauts and I —
David: Darling, that's evidence based —
Deb: Oh dear we're getting off topic. So, please leave your little ones and pet rocks at home, and we'll see you on Saturday night!
David: He has pictures of the ancient spaceports!
Deb: Bye now!
Deb: Oh, and if you need to crash at our place, we have room, but you should bring a sleeping bag!
If I Had A Hammer…
February 11, 2008 at 3:50 am (glass, handforged metal, jewelry, lampwork)
Tags: copper wire, handforged metal jewelry, lampwork beads
My awesome friend Rachel is a bead and wire jewelry maker extraordinaire. She gave a private class to me and my friend Catharine Saturday on hand-forged metal jewelry. Everything is handmade, even the earring wire and bracelet toggle and jump rings. I’m very excited to do this using silver wire. It’s very cool to watch something round go flat under one’s persistent, er, ministrations.
BANG BANG BANG
A new direction
February 11, 2008 at 3:45 am (bubbles, fusing, glass)
Tags: accidental beauty, dots, freeform, glass, lampwork, stacking, Vetrifond
I’ve been cruising lots of lampwork bead artists’ work of late. I will say I am inspired now to find my own language with glass. This is a beginning. I thought these Vetrifond colors would stack well, so I started the bead on top. The glass started bubbling (I guess my flame was too hot), so I grabbed an ivory stringer and filled in the hole with a big ol’ dot, added a strawberry dot and poked it topping off with a dot of clear on top to make a bubble (not visible in foto). The ends weren’t dimpling very nicely, so I added the green disks at top and bottom, and then just grabbed an clear-encased aventurine stringer. I decided not to worry that the shape was not “perfect.” I was so pleased with the result, I decided to make a set.
Glass Act 