This was originally an email written to my family and friends on the date above. I decided to make these public in the event they may be helpful to someone in the future who is embarking on a similar journey to mine.
Hi Everyone–
I was released from the hospital last night (the earliest date they would consider) and spent my first night at home. Since I’m now on oral meds vs IV meds, I can sleep in longer stretches. All good things.
Unfortunately “released from the hospital” doesn’t equate to “recovered from surgery”. Having never experienced surgery like this before, I hadn’t fully realized that. I am still struggling to straighten up completely, I tire quickly, and I walk incredibly slowly. One of my biggest challenges is eating. I need food but don’t have much of an appetite and get full really quickly. This is an area, like walking, that I need to force myself in. Heather is very encouraging of this as well.
My plan is to go in and share the news with my team at work tomorrow. I will need to take a few steps between now and then for that to happen, but I am hopeful it will work out.
I have a post-op checkin appt next Wed to get my staples removed, and from there will start looking to work with an oncologist, set a schedule for chemotherapy, etc.
All-in-all, glad to be home and feeling better. I’m impatient at having to wait, but accepting that I need to take it one step at a time.
This post is part of the thread: Cancer – an ongoing story on this site. View the thread timeline for more context on this post.