Hi Everyone,
I have to apologize for the tardiness of this post. I, unfortunately, have simply not had time to sit down and write a proper update. However, Vivi will be going in for surgery on Tuesday, so I wanted to touch base with all of you.
The surgery will involve a full hysterectomy, as well as the removal of any other unnecessary organs that the cancer has spread to or that may act as a possible host to returning cancer (not that this cancer is coming back ANY time soon!). While hysterectomies are rather routine surgeries these days, we are all obviously a bit anxious about the outcome of this surgery, and hoping that all will go as well as possible. However, we are lucky to have one of the best surgeons in the country, Dr. Abu-Rustum, so we have no doubt this surgery will go very smoothly.
More importantly, my mother, someone who has now undergone six rounds of very intense chemotherapy, is in remarkably strong shape (not fitness wise...I actually just chuckled at the thought of that) - but her immune system is holding up very well, she has barely lost weight, and she continues to eat like a small horse (something she takes as a compliment or I would not write it). Furthermore, she continues to amaze us all with her strength of will, sense of humor, and general zest for life (and diamonds). She is certainly still Vivi, the one and only, and not at all resembling a "cancer patient".
With that said, Vivi, as well as our family, would still appreciate all the support and help we can get during these next few tough weeks and months. We are not a particularly religious family (although I do believe we are all spiritual in our own ways), and I know there are people of varying religious beliefs on this list. So I please ask that if you pray (in whatever form it may be), that you say an extra prayer, do an extra bow, light another candle, or just wish on one more star for Vivi on Tuesday.
Also, if you would like to send flowers or cards (which is COMPLETELY unnecessary...seriously), Vivi will be at Memorial Sloan Kettering Hospital all next week, and will hopefully be home the week after.
Unfortunately, this is all I have time to write. I have included pictures above from Vivi's birthday party which we had up in Mahopac a few weeks back. What I will say, is that we continue to be overwhelmed by the amount of support, thoughtfulness, and love that seems to keep pouring in from every direction day after day. While this experience has certainly been a challenge for us all, it has also shown us the very best in people, and what an amazing support system we have both within and surrounding our family. So thank you for all you have done for us. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
Here is the good news - because I am so busy, I actually managed to talk Vivi into writing part of this post herself! So without further ado (or proofreading...Vivi does not really understand the use of punctuation when she types and I just didn't have the time to fix it. But, honestly, I think it's more genuine this way!), here is the Queen Bee, herself:
DISCLAIMER: THE REST OF THIS POST (ALTHOUGH I HAVE NOT YET READ IT) MAY NOT BE SUITABLE FOR CHILDREN OR THE FAINT OF HEART.
Since Aly is so busy with her events i will now write you all my event so far of late..i've had a wonderful month's break from chemo and have so enjoyed my time in the country and at my barn riding out on the open roads and fields on my pony Valentina enjoying what i think has been the best color spectacle yet..the trees out did themselves! but now its time to face reality once again and face the challenges ahead of me..play time is over for now! Tuesday the 2nd i will have non elective surgery on oh yes..election day..ug! good thing politics is of no interest to me..im a romantic! and good thing i dont want anymore children or God knows maybe even sex!! oops..grandchildren is what i need more of..10 just wont do!! so where was i oh yes..Tuesday..after a lot of pre op testing i will be having a complete hysterectomy and pray that that's it..depending on what my surgeon finds upon opening me up and taking a look at the situation..my cancer has been reduced quite dramatically but we'll see what he sees when he sees it! i should be in hospital about 3 to 5 days depending on how im doing..then home for a long recovery..2 to 3 weeks after surgery i will have to endure the hardest and most intense chemo..kind of the final clean up..and hope to be done with it all by end January..you have all been so wonderful and supportive and following me every step of the way..remarkable! i love you all and i deeply apologize for not being as entertaining as Aly in my writing..she is the one with those skills! she will be back to follow up and continue on with this endless journey when her events are done next week..she has been an absolute inspiration to me as well as everyone in my family..even my dog Butoh insisted that i take a moment to sit on a park bench today and take in the sights of the world around me that i have so missed..and my 2 wonders..June who cares for him in my absence and Ashley who trains my pony and takes me on all those wonderful trails..what would i do without all these great people in my life? well love to you all you are the sunshine i bask in and the stars that shine on me..but no one better than my sweet Moo!!
