I'M BACK

I've been thru hell the last 3 months and I haven't felt like blogging. I've undergone a parathyoidectamy - the operation from hell - from which I'm still recovering. This was supposed to be a 1 1/2 hour outpatient surgery which turned out to be a 4 1/2 hour inpatient procedure. It was supposed to be done in December, but had to be postponed till January because of a fever I developed. My little benign fucking adenoma on one of my parathyroid glands- the cause of all my problems this past year - was hiding underneath some blood vessels AND THEY HAD A HELL OF A TIME FINDING IT. I'm thankful my surgeon was experienced and commented that it was one of the worst cases he's had in a while. I'm still not recovered - my voice is high pitched and can take up to a year to fully recover to normal. Something about one of my vocal cords not moving, which can be surgically corrected, but for now I'm opting to wait. The louder I talk, the higher pitched my voice sounds.

I had my 2nd kyphoplasty in January and have postponed my 3rd one till the end of march. My body needs to heal. So far, it hasn't helped like it was supposed to. I need my walker if I want to walk any distance. I try to walk about 1/2 mile a day, but don't always do it. I've been able to reduce my pain meds substantially: no more morphine and only 1 or 2 oxycodone a day, so maybe it has helped.

My leukemia is still stable. I had thought it was "acting up" since a had some unexplained fever and have lost alot of weight without trying. My normal weight was about 165 and I was 5'7" tall.
My new height is 5'3" due to the compression fractures in my spine. Some weight loss was going to happen because of my lost height, but I got to 137 lbs and looked like a scarecrow. This morning I was 144 lbs. I can eat whatever I want - all the fattening foods - and I am slowly gaining weight back. Arlene is jealous. I want to get to 150lbs as a goal.

Anyway, my doctor decided to do another bone marrow biopsy. Results - same as the last one in August which is essentially the same as the one I had when I was diagnosed. My leukemia is still stable and I will not be treated for it for now.

During the last 3 months, I was emotionally fucked up. I kept thinking I was going to die. I've spent many nights afraid to fall asleep for fear of not waking up. I'd watch TV, see something sad, and start crying for no reason. I'm over the fear for now. Arlene was great during this time and really helped me over the rough spots. Bless her. Overall I'm in a good spot right now. We're planning a vacation - renting a house by the beach for a week , and I've had our RV serviced with the idea that we might take a trip soon. Good stuff.

I may not blog as often as I did in the past - just when I feel like it. But that's life. It's time for my walk.