The last month has been a whirlwind of events which have taken me on one emotional (and physical) roller-coaster! As my earlier blog entries state - I was planning to return to Haiti for the first week of August and couldn't wait to wrap my arms around little 'K' once again. After my first trip, I was having difficulty gaining the 8lbs I lost on the trip and went to the student health center for a check-up. When they heard I just returned from a trip to Haiti, the doctors ordered a FULL work-up on me. They day I went in I was having some mild pelvic pain and attributed it to girl issues. As a part of my work up, they did a pelvic exam and said one of my ovaries felt a little swollen. I was referred for an ultrasound a month later...
*Fast Forward*
Wednesday (10 days before I leave for Haiti): I go for my ultrasound. I knew something was off when in dead silence, halfway through the ultrasound the tech asks me if I have a history of Ovarian Cysts in my family? Not to my knowledge...
Thursday (9 days before Haiti): My doctor's office calls and wants me to come in to review my results... I get nervous and request the earliest appointment (which is the following day).
Friday (8 days before Haiti): Doc tells me I have a Complex Ovarian Cyst called a "Dermoid" the size of a baseball on my right ovary. WHAT?! How did I miss that?! I'm referred to a "specialist."
Monday (5 days before Haiti): I see the "specialist" (AKA: Gynecologist) and he tells me I'll need surgery to have it removed and I'm at risk for it twisting and rupturing - which would infect my insides and possibly loose my uterus. My translation - no surgery, no babies... He also tells me he strongly suggests I DON'T go to Haiti. I reluctantly schedule my surgery for the next Tuesday and my pre-op for Friday. Holding back my tears in the office, I realize it is best if I stay and take care of myself and not risk my fertility and possibly my life going on this trip. It was probably the HARDEST decision I've made in my life... and I spent the next two days fighting it and trying to find loop holes and ways I could go and still be safe. Ultimately deciding I would make both myself, my family and my mission teammates highly anxious the whole time I was in Haiti.
Thursday (2 days before Haiti): I present about my past experience in Haiti to my Art Therapy co-hort. It was hard to focus on not only creating the presentation, but having to talk about my passion I'm having to put on hold. I got through it, but felt my emotions hindered my ability to accurately describe my experience and what I got out of it.
Friday (the day I was supposed to fly to Miami): I go for my pre-op appointment with my Doctor and at the Hospital.. I'm told I won't know my surgery time until Monday afternoon. I rush off to the graduation lunch with the Art Therapy girls and celebrate their great accomplishment - and mine to come in December. I spend the rest of the day rushing around town gathering items, luggage, and packing the crocs I collected so that my best friend could bring them with her on the trip I was to go on as well. At 6pm I meet her at the airport and sent her off, wishing I could stow away in her carry-on...
Tuesday @ 4am: I wake up and prepare for my surgery, arriving at the hospital at 5am... The next week is a complete blur.
