Hi my dear Cathie:

I am so sorry you have to go through this.
Sending hugs and lots of good thoughts your way

It's about time Cathie! I know you have been suffering for a long time now. I've got fingers and toes crossed that this will take care of some of your problems. I just can't believe that a top medical school is this inefficient. (I don't know why I said that, I've been thru their routine.)

I know this won't be pleasant, but maybe it will help. Please let us know more about which day you'll have surgery. Perhaps your husband could let one of us know how you are doing. Good luck, old friend.

Billye

Cathie,
I'm really sorry that you've had to be miserable with the biopsies and not get a definitive diagnosis until now. I've been there myself with biopsies for 5 years and then had the same surgery 7 years ago.
I hope that that your surgery is uneventful, that the biopsy results are completely benign and that your recovery is swift and complete. I'll be thinking about you and wish you the very best.

Alkymst
I

ASSERTIVE and decisive about what they want to do! Geesh!
From my own other diverse experiences...all I can say is GET THIS STUFF outta me!...... That's the way I approached it. And I am glad it was done.
Get it over with, then go on to the next part of the 'issue' should there really be one.

As long as the docs and surgeons and anathesiologists know you are an 'at-risk/sensitive' person, things should go and be done super!?!

I know I approached my own surgeries last year with a similar angst as you are feeling now, but, in my case it was a bit more straightforward? I think of it this way, [biopsies and all?] I did the best I could to do the best I could...Sounds redundant, but really it's not.

Special tender 's of the kind that give you a bit of courage as well as some comfy re-assurance. I WILL be her for you and any concerns you may have should you have them. I believe all here will be pulling for you in every way one can 'electronically'. - Super special thoughts! - j

I just wanted to add my sincere good wishes for the op, it sounds like you will be in very good & capable hands and i am sure that it will be all over shortly & you will be back home before you know it.
best wishes
Brian

Heh heh heh... In the midst of trying to maintain my sense of humor during this fiasco, I thought I would share what FIRST popped out at me from RFinney's posting above:

"but I look forward to seeing you on the other side"



Cathie

P.S. Meanwhile, thank you all for your kind words. Surgery is Thursday. Hubby can call if it is convenient for someone. Please PM a message...

Reminds me of the first time I was ever put out for surgery. The first thing I remember after is seeing this bright white light and this mist rising up in front of my face. I remember thinking..... Oh s**t...someone F****d up. Next thought was, well at least I went in the right direction.
.....
.....
Then the pain hit and I knew I was still alive.

I'll be keeping you in my thoughts and prayers.

Barbara

Cathie,

I agree totally with Tony . . . you have so much strength. I am not trying to downplay all the suffering you have been through or that the surgery will bring . . . but I look forward to seeing you on the other side of this operation. It looks to me that you are already preparing yourself in the way that you do -- marshaling your resources, getting your focus, etc. etc.

I will hold a thought about coming through fine, with marked improvement.

rafi