cyst
–noun 1. Pathology. a closed, bladderlike sac formed in animal tissues, containing fluid or semifluid matter.
2. a bladder, sac, or vesicle.


tu·mor
An abnormal growth of tissue resulting from uncontrolled, progressive multiplication of cells and serving no physiological function; a neoplasm.
A swollen part; a swelling.


Definitely was a cyst, not a tumor as reported elsewhere by others.

I can't wait for my body to heal so I can do all the things I've not been able to do in the last few months! First thing I did that first night home was trim my toe nails. Hadn't been able to reach them in awhile and I was tired of the wounds from not always avoiding the daggers dangling from my toes. Can't wait til I'm healed enough to be able to sleep on my side again instead of my back.

Am doing good so far. Had a bunch of groceries delivered and was able to put a load of dishes into the dishwasher and sweep the kitchen floor. Today I did a couple loads of laundry. My lower back pain is the worst of it so far. It is a big strain on the back for me to do anything but lay flat with no tension on the back muscles. Each day brings improvement and new strength in the back muscles so I know it is just a matter of time and patience and slow rebuilding.

I took the chance of trying to sit on my couch because I was bored to tears without something to do or watch on TV. I've already read every book in the house at least 5 times. I've had a much easier time getting up off the couch than I thought I would. I figured out how to maneuver my legs so it doesn't pull on my incision at all.

Nothing new to add other than I am starting to experience some serious hot flashes so I guess that means I need to figure out what to do hormone wise to keep that under control. I want to go the natural hormone route if possible. What I'd always assumed hot flashes would feel like is nothing like what it actually is. They are some powerful waves of heat. Even chomping on ice cubes didn't cut it. Last night I finally just took off all my clothes and layed in front of a portable fan on my bed until the heat went away so I could sleep. They only last about 15 minutes thank goodness!


I still can't get over how much weight I've lost. My clothes just hang off me, all over, not just my tummy. Going to wait awhile before I try to buy anything that fits though. Want to see how successful I'll be with the continued weight loss. To be honest, I'm pretty happy with where I am at now. I need a lot of toning up of muscles and skin, not more weight loss. I tried on the swimsuit my mom gave me when I visited her a couple years ago. I had to laugh. It just hangs on me like a sack of potatoes, and my loose skin looks like the potatoes.

I go back to the doctor this week sometime to have the staples removed from the incision, then am scheduled for more follow-up thyroid tests and chest x-rays in a month. Still can't sit for long lengths of time yet, so spend most of my time flat on my back in bed or the couch, with walks back and forth to the bathroom. My intestines and bladder are certainly not experiencing any blockage now!

Still afraid to try taking a shower while by myself. Still a little too weak for that yet. Thank goodness for body spray and aeresol room sprays! Speaking of which, two days after my surgery I begged one of the nurses to help me bathe myself because I just couldn't stand the smell any longer. I was way too tender for her to do much in my abdomen and pelvic region so she looked around, grabbed a bottle of mouthwash and dumped it on my pelvis. About killed myself laughing. I kept having these commercials run through my head with the theme of being minty fresh! When she asked if I wanted to brush my teeth, I said "hell no! You'll probably give me a tube of Vagisil for that!"

Lots of funny and scary moments to retell. Will pop some more in as time in the chair permits. Right now, I gotta go lay down again and give my back a break.