The ring of truth

After almost four months of this illness, the end may be in sight. Next Friday, July 14, I am scheduled to have surgery at Shands hospital in Gainesville (a few hours from our Florida home). We looked all over the country -- at the Mayo Clinic, Sloan-Kettering, and elsewhere -- and thanks to a doctor who was involved early on in my case, we were connected with a surgeon who has the most expertise in my likely diagnosis (adenomatosis) and the best ability to deal with a patient actively involved in her own care. When we met with him, he understood my situation more thoroughly than anyone else has and he knew exactly how to treat it, with a procedure he's done many times before called a resection. He'll remove the right lobe of my liver since it has the largest of the benign tumors and then another doctor will do radiofrequency ablations on some smaller benign tumors on the left lobe of my liver.

It's a long, complicated surgery, but one he's comfortable performing, and the alternative is a liver transplant, which several other doctors had recommended and I wanted to avoid.

I'm expected to be in the hospital for about a week, then recovering at home (probably with some nursing assistance in the beginning) for about three months.

As a reward for surviving this incredibly difficult period in our lives, sometime after the surgery, when I'm alert enough to appreciate it, my husband will be slipping a beautiful new emerald ring on my finger (see picture at left). It will replace the emerald engagement ring he gave me a little more than 10 years ago.

My husband has always been amazing to me and he has been a magical father from the time our son was born. But this experience has tested us all in ways we could never have imagined. It brought him new strengths, matured our son, and gave us all a renewed faith in and appreciation for our family. And that is truly something to celebrate.

We're hoping to celebrate a different sort of slipping for Gary and Colter when we can. Colter took sailing lessons this summer and Gary's always wanted a boat, so once we figure out a way to work out the logistics, we're going to try and get them a watercraft they can enjoy together, while I tag along.

But first things first.

After I'm admitted to the hospital (July 14), if you'd like you can send me an e-mail that will be delivered directly to my room. Just click on this link and fill out the form (my first name is Julie, last name is Moos, and I'll be at Shands at UF).

Thanks for all your thoughts and prayers. While I'm offline, know that I'll be looking forward to the next time I can blog -- especially if I can write about something other than my health! Hmmm, maybe the premiere of the seventh season of the "Gilmore Girls"?

Until then, take good care and love your friends and family like there's no tomorrow.

Comments

[betty]

I hope that everything has gone well with the surgery, and you are recuperating easily at home. You'll be in my thoughts.

BTW, I love your "Today's Quote".

[Jo]

I'm so glad you ended up going to Shands and I'm sorry Moffit was a bad experience for you too. :(

I told my hubby a minute ago "Hey, look Julie gets a ring for going through all this. How come I didn't get a ring?". haha Now he knows he's in trouble. ;)

Take care hun and if you ever need someone to talk to (about surgeries, tumors..you know, the good stuff) feel free to drop me a line.

[Ashley]

Dropped you an email to the hospital, hope you're doing well!

[margie]

I'm thinking of you. Hope itall went well!

[Lilian]

Julie, I was duly shocked when I finally read your May post(quite a bit late because of similarity between the March and May post titles) and the June one. I have been thinking of you often ever since. I'll be praying for you tomorrow and the days that follow (well, I am praying already, I should say). I hope you can soon be healthy again.

[cassie-b]

Please take my prayers and good wishes with you.

I hope things go wonderfully well.

[Michele]

My prayers will be with you and your family through the surgery and healing.

[Kristi]

Julie,

I'm so happy that there is FINALLY an end in sight!!! My gosh, this nightmare has gone on way too long and I know you must be anxious to get back to your life.

Know that you, Gary and Colter will be in our prayers during this time, as well as during your recovery. I'm pullin' for ya!

[Tammy and the Boys < :3 )~~~~]

Julie,

My thoughts will be with you during your entire process. I know that you will be happy and healthy once this part is over. You are one of a kind and the world needs you. (Especially your family).

Best wishes to you and your family for a speedy recovery!

Tammy and the Boys (Frick and Frack)

[Lauren]

Hey, I hope everything goes well for you. I'll definitely be keeping you and your family in my thoughts.

I know you're not a big TV person, but if you ever get the chance to watch the US version of The Office, I think you'd enjoy it. I've recently become addicted to a pairing on that show. :)

[Mary Tsao]

Thanks for the update -- I'll be thinking about you next week.

Take care. I hope you feel more like your old self soon.

[Hsien Lei]

Julie, I'm so happy that you can finally get the treatment you need from a capable doctor. Will be sending you lots of get well wishes and spamming you while you're in hospital. :D

*BIG HUGS* for all of you.

BTW, may I keep that gorgeous ring safe for you while you recuperate? ;)

[rachel]

best wishes for an easy recovery.

i'll be thinking of you as you go into surgery next week.

congrats to Colter on learning to sail! some of my favorite memories are on the water - I hope your family can build some wonderful healthy memories there soon.

[mothergoosemouse]

Julie, thanks for the update. It is great to know that you've found a doc who can help you and with whom you feel comfortable.

I will continue to think of you and wish you well.

[Philip]

I'll be thinking of you while you are in the hospital and wish you a smooth procedure and speedy recovery.

[Nancy]

Good luck, I'll be thinking of you!