Under the Knife

I mentioned the other day that I’m having surgery this week. I know I haven’t told the entire story and I waited to do this post for a reason. I wanted to make sure I knew what was happening and what I’d be going through before updating everyone.

Well, today is the day.

My surgery is happening this morning, and, depending on when you’re reading this, I may be in the operating room at this very moment.

And I’m terrified. I’ve never had any type of surgery before, never broken a bone, never even had stitches. Maybe I’m a wuss, but I’ve kept myself out of the hospital as much as possible.

The morning of November 7th changed everything.

Nick and I were at his parents house, visiting for the weekend with lots of other family. We drove there Friday night, ate dinner, played some dominos, and went to bed. Everything was fine.

But around 3 am Saturday morning, I woke up with this intense pressure in my lower abdomen. I thought I just needed to go to the bathroom and waited another minute to see if I could go back to sleep. When it didn’t go away, I slowly rolled over and crept out of the covers so I wouldn’t wake Nick. As soon as I stood up, the pressure turned into searing pain. I went to the bathroom, still thinking that maybe I just drank too much tea before going to bed, but it didn’t help.

I shuffled down the hallway, hunched over, back to bed and crawled in beside Nick. The pain kept getting worse. It felt as if something was tearing through my entire abdomen, pulling me apart from the inside out. I stayed there, in the fetal position, cringing and whimpering and holding Nick’s hand for about an hour before I gave up. I rolled over and said to Nick, “I can’t do this anymore. I just can’t”. He got up and woke his dad before coming back downstairs to help me get out of bed. Still hunched over, I put on my fleece jacket and glasses and grabbed a pair of Cindy’s slippers before heading out of the house.

It hurt to lay down, to sit up, to walk, to breathe…everything. That walk to the truck was some of the worst pain I’ve ever had.

We got to the ER around 4:15 Saturday morning and they hooked me up to an IV right away and drew blood to run some tests.

After getting a dose of pain meds, I started feeling a bit better, but I still had the stabbing pain and my abdomen was completely swollen. The doctor I had in the ER was awesome – seriously the best ER  doctor I’ve ever had. She started asking me about my medical history and I mentioned that I did have an ovarian cyst a few years ago that my doctor kept an eye for a few months. It eventually went away on its own (like most cysts do), but that was enough to order an ultrasound.

I had a feeling that it might be another cyst because of where the pain was originating.

I was right.

The ultrasound revealed that I had 9.5 cm x 7.5 cm cyst on my right ovary, which is pretty big (the size of my fist) and much larger than they’d like to see.

Cysts themselves aren’t an issue; the majority of women have cysts regularly, but they’re typically small and go away on their own relatively quickly. However, if they stick around and get to this size, they can become a big problem.

The doctor and nurses still weren’t sure what happened to cause the pain, whether the cyst twisted a bit or if a small part of it ruptured, but there was only one piece of advice: I need to have it removed, as soon as possible.

We took my records, picked up a prescription for some pain medication, and went on our way. I still saw all my family that day, but it took a few days for the swelling to go down and for the soreness to go away.

I ended up going to see my doctor the next week where I got the same opinion (I needed surgery) and finally went to see one last doctor that was recommended to me at UVA. Last Monday, the doctors and specialists at UVA gave me the same report – I needed surgery to have it removed and soon so I wouldn’t risk having something else happen. I knew that would be the outcome, but I also wanted to make sure I was having this surgery with the best in the field. The staff at UVA has been incredible and they’re at the front lines in terms of research, information, and operations in this area.

So…here we are. Or, here I am.

I hope to have an amazing report that everything went well and that there weren’t any other issues.

But it’s hard to not be scared, especially when I’ve never been through any of this before. I’ve never had anesthesia or had to be on this side of those operating room doors.

If nothing else, I just hope I can be a good patient. And…as long as they knock me out, I’m sure I’ll be fine.

That’s the update – and what I’m asking from you is just for good thoughts and prayers for me and the medical team and my family.

And if you want to do something else?

Help Holly + me raise money for Jovenes en Camino, an orphanage in Honduras for abused, homeless and orphaned children. Tis’ the season for  giving – we hope you’ll join us in this challenge.

I got word yesterday from a lady working with them that we’ve already raised $550! And we’re not even halfway through December! I am so, so thrilled – you have no idea.

This orphanage means so much to me and my family, and I’m so happy to have Holly helping to spread the word and for YOU, all of you, that have given, no matter the amount.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

See you on the other side!

48 comments

  1. I’m sure you’ll get through the surgery just fine! We’ll be thinking about you!

    Take it easy! :)

  2. Good luck Brandi! I will be thinking of you today and know you will be fine. :)

  3. PRAYING HARD FOR YOU, DEAR BRANDI!!! xo

  4. Ohhh Brandi hope everything goes well! I am sure it will! I will be praying for you! :-) Feel better soon!

  5. Good Luck Brandi! Everything will be okay! Get well soon! :)

  6. Sending you good thoughts!! I hope your recovery will be a quick one. Feel better soon.

  7. Sorry to hear about the surgery, but I’ll be praying that you’re in the most capable of hands with the best care. Get well soon!

  8. Sorry to hear that you need to have surgery. I am sure everything will be fine. You will be in my thoughts!

  9. My thoughts and prayers are with you for a speeding recovery!

  10. My thoughts and prayers are with you! [And if you are in Virginia…I know UVA will take care of you. I give you my Wahoo word.]

  11. Sending prayers and good thoughts your way!

  12. I am sending thoughts and prayers your way! I am facing (possibly) having surgery to remove another kind of cyst sometime soon. I know just how scary it feels. I know things will go well for you!

  13. thinking about you today girl, i know everything will go well and you’ll be in recovery in no time :)

  14. Get well soon! My thoughts are with you.

  15. Good luck! Praying for you. I’ve had surgery before and it can definitely be scary. My biggest piece of advice is don’t try doing too much too soon. Let people take care of you. I am a very independent person and that was the hardest thing for me to learn during my recovery.

  16. Good luck Brandi! Hope the surgery goes great. :-)

  17. Oh goodness! You should be in surgical right now and I’m sure everything is going fine. I’ll be thinking of you!

  18. You are in my thoughts, Brandi, and I wish you all the best for a speedy, healthy recovery! I had two ruptured ovarian cysts and I know how incredibly painful and terrifying they can be. Your strength and positivity will carry you through this!

  19. I’ll be keeping you in my thoughts all day! I’m sure everything will go great, and I hope you recover quickly!

  20. Aww so sorry girl!! I’m thinking about you & hoping you’re surgery goes quick & you recover quickly!! I know how bad that pain is you’re talking about- I had the same thing happen in college on my left side. The day I went in for my surgery they did a quick pre-check ultrasound and it’d magically shrunk enough to avoid surgery.

    Hope you have a speedy recovery!!

  21. saying a prayer for you!

  22. Praying for you… good luck lady.

  23. Oh my goodness, Brandi. I am sending loads and loads of good thoughts your way. I know you’ll get out of surgery fine – just rest and take care of yourself! That’s the best medicine. *** HUGS *** Big ones!

  24. I’m so sorry Brandi! I will be praying for you!

  25. speedy recovery! will be thinking of you.

  26. >>Im sending some heathly vibes<<
    Hang in there!

    And tell Nick he has to do everything you say!

    :)

  27. Good luck Brandi! I’m sure you will do wonderful and I’ll be thinking about you today!

  28. My heart is with you today Brandi! Thinking and praying for you. Be strong and we will all be here for you when you get out. :)

    Love you lady!

  29. Thinking about you Brandi! You’ll get through this just fine, the doctors know what they are doing and Nick will be right there for you afterwards. Having surgery for the first time is a scary experience because it’s so unknown. However you’ll be done with it before no time! *hugs*

  30. sending you strength, comfort and hugs… <3

    take care + speedy recovery!

  31. Goodness! I’ll be thinking about you all day – I hope the surgery goes smoothly and your recovery is quick and painless!!! Big hugs (and lots of doggy kisses) from Ohio!!!!

  32. Praying for you Brandi. Praying God’s protection over you as he guides the hands of the doctors. And praying for peace for Nick as he waits for you to be safely out of surgery.

  33. Good thoughts are with you. I’m sure the surgery will go well… and I wish you a very quick recovery. Hang in there!

  34. I’m sending lots of good thoughts and healing vibes your way! I’m sure your surgery is going to go well!

  35. sending good thoughts your way brandi!! and hoping for a quick healing, too :)

  36. I was born at UVA and my aunt works there now. It’s a wonderful hospital; I’m sure you will be well cared for. Feel better soon.

  37. I am sure the surgery will go/went great. Thinking of you!

  38. Hope everything went well with your surgery and that you recover real soon. Last Christmas-the night of the big day- I ended up in the ER for the same reason and had surgery in Jan (my first too). I know how scary it can be leading up to it but I can tell you that in the hands of good doctors it’ll be okay. And recovery – if taking good care of yourself – doesn’t have to be long. Wishing you all the best.

  39. I’m sure everything will be fine and I’m sending well wishes your way! Being knocked out is the fun part :), you get to be all loopy!! I hope for a speady recovery!

  40. God Bless! Feel better soon!

  41. Sending you my thoughts and prayers! Hope everything went well! Have a speedy recovery!

  42. Oh Brandi! I will definitely be praying for you my friend. I’ve had some terrible cysts and know how much they hurt. I can’t imagine how you must feel. Keep us updated on how you are. I will be thinking about you guys.

  43. *Hugs* My thoughts and prayers are with you and I hope everything went perfectly!!!

    Jen

  44. Sorry to hear about your pain! I’ll be praying that your surgery goes well!

  45. Oh Brandi. My thoughts and prayers are with you. I can’t imagine your terror, but I know you’ll do great, Brandi, praying for you! <3

  46. brandi – i had NO idea this was going on! i am so sorry to hear you’ve been facing this undoubtedly scary thing. i am so glad the surgery went well and that you are recovering. much love, good wishes and hugs to you!!!

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