A Serious Post

Warning: Long and fairly personal post ahead.

In a previous post, I alluded to some health issues/hospital stay.  I had been under the impression that the worst was behind me and all I have left to do is recover and live normally, yadda yadda yadda.

Since I am bothering to go into detail about my mishap, I will let you know that my surgery was to take care of a cyst on my left ovary.  The cyst was approximately 12 x 8 x 5 cm, the size of a baby's head, stretched across my abdomen.  Surgeries are typically done for cysts that are 5 cm, so I had a big ol' boy in there.  My ovary had been twisted and turned around multiple times, and it was brought up that I may have had to lose my left ovary, but I didn't.

I should not have had a cyst in the first place, since I am on "the pill" and I am not supposed to ovulate. This was a concern that I brought up to both doctors I saw. Only one actually took it seriously.

On Monday, I went to my surgery follow-up with a doctor from the hospital where I had my surgery.  Not the actual surgeon or not even anyone who had actually seen me that night, but some effeminate man (no complaints, thems my people) who asked me a few simple questions and sent me on my way.  No looking at my incisions, no ultrasounds, nothing. The conversation boiled down to: "Do you hurt anymore?" "No." "You're fine."

This did not sit well with me, so I made an appointment for a second opinion with my regular gynecologist. He was concerned (as he should have been) that I had developed a cyst in the first place, so he sent me for an ultrasound.  It is still there. 8 cm of mass that may require me to have another, more intrusive, surgery.

I want to have children so badly someday. I burst into tears in the examination room when my doctor said that losing my ovary was definitely possible, if they couldn't reconstruct it.  I'm aware that there are two ovaries for a reason, but I don't want conception to be a struggle for me.

I have an appointment in 3 weeks to check the cyst again to see if it has changed.  If it goes like last time, I will actually know within a week if it is still interfering with my ovaries enough to cause the severe pain I had. My parents and I are fairly certain I will need surgery again.

With this last surgery, I was able to go back to class that Tuesday (I had the surgery on a Saturday night) and completely free of any discomfort by the next weekend.  If I am to have surgery again, it will be more invasive and not nearly as easy of a recovery.

Please send your best vibes, prayers, etc. out there for me, whether I need the surgery or not.  This has been a very stressful and frustrating process for me and my family.

I'm moving!

I have terrible luck with apartment hunting.  A few people I know enjoy apartment hunting, which is bizarre to me.  I definitely look at craigslist apartment listings on a regular basis, but when it comes down to actually looking for places that I will need/have to live in in a short amount of time, I'm a wreck.

After getting my hopes up a few times (and finding the perfect apartment just to discover that they require de-clawed cats-- I would absolutely never do that!), I was almost ready to give up and stay at the apartment I currently live in, which is nice, but I desperately need the change.

On Thursday, when I went to the office for my appointment to look at my last-ditch apartment effort, I was prepared to settle. I hate that I was going to do that, but I am down to the wire and have instant gratification issues, so once the "new apartment" idea was in my head and after all of the disappointments, I was ready to get it over with.

Once I saw the outside, I was excited.  There's a planting area (with gorgeous Black Eyed Susans and other flowers), so I can finally plant my rosemary and other herbs! There is also a space for the grill, which was a concern. We have a large gas grill that doesn't simply "tuck" into any small outdoor space. There's a storm door, as well, so my darling cat can look outside, and more natural light can be let in.

Without describing every inch of the place, I will tell you that I am so happy and excited to move into this apartment. Once I am settled, I will post pictures as rooms are finished, but I am afraid it will be awhile before I can post too many.  

My boyfriend's mother has generously offered to make cushion covers for our couch to match these awesome wingback chairs (the fabric is exactly my taste--I can't wait for you to see!) that I got from my grandmother's house.  I am so thrilled that I will have furniture that not only matches, but is in a color/style that I can stand.

Since this post is pathetically long and dry, I will post a picture of an item I bought this weekend:

The colors are more subtle and autumn-y in person, but this is from Pier 1, and was much, much cheaper than I was anticipating. This will more than likely be a centerpiece on the dining room table.  I am already preparing for my housewarming and dinner parties!