My Tumor

I thought I had gained a few pounds. I tried all kinds of diets, and it seemed that a few even worked. But I never totally lost all the weight. Eventually I chalked it up to the fact that sometimes you DO gain weight over any period of time. And so I coped quite successfully. For several summers, my left leg would swell up like crazy. I always attributed this to the heat or "that time of month."(During winter, I never even noticed any change. I stay bundled up 99% of the time!) One particular day, it seemed that my left leg had ballooned and the bloating had now occurred in my left foot.

I thought it was unusual, but since I didn't have any pain, I didn't worry. My mother, however, was a different story! Through the early part of the summer, Mom noticed the leg and started nagging me about getting it checked out. I finally and reluctantly went to see a doctor. I was so sure it was just a bloating condition. I was confident that I'd be given an oral solution, everything would clear up and life would go on as usual. Wrong!

I explained what I thought was a minor problem. After a series of initial tests with no results, my doctor decided to thoroughly check my stomach. And from there, a diagnosis was made. I had a large tumor! I was shocked and stunned, yet strangely relieved. At least it wasn't a weight problem! I was referred to an area hospital for preliminary X-rays and cat scans (the first of many)and then referred to a specialist who confirmed the first diagnosis. I was definitely going to embark on a one-of-a-kind adventure.

Thus began for several weeks a seemingly endless round of X-rays, cat scans, exams, and shots (always a shot!) with the longest needles I've ever seen. The three days before surgery were particularly grueling ones. I had to go on a liquid diet and use an enema(these procedures clean out your bowel and bladder. If you're having abdominal surgery, it's a necessity.) The enema was easy, but not eating for three days really makes you edgy.