back home in time for shark week

"Ding, dong the witch is dead," is what I was singing in my head as I was coming out of anesthesia on Friday morning following the successful take down. Though I was not feeling up for celebrating at that moment, or even so much as opening my eyes for that matter, somewhere inside me little embers of happiness were glowing, knowing that Oscar had kicked the can. 

Joie, "squish to activate joy!"

Coming out of anesthesia is always the worst part of surgery for me. But it is such a hazy relief to wake up to Robbie sitting by my side and this time, in my hand I was holding Joie, a little stuffed hedgehog that Flo and Bea made for me. Knowing that Robbie and I would be leaving for the hospital Friday morning at 3 am, the girls set their alarm for 2:30 am to come up to our bedroom and give us a little bag of special notes and Joie himself, the hedgehog they had stayed up late making. Taped on top of the bag was another note scrawled in purple crayon saying, "Don't open until you are at the hospital!"  The note accompanying Joie explained that I could, "squish her to activate joy! and also rub her soft belly and ears!"  Joie stayed with me the whole time I was in the hospital. He was indeed joyful to see Flo and Bea when they arrived on Saturday morning with their big smiles and warm hugs but not as joyful as I was to see them! And not as happy as we all were to get in our car together on Saturday afternoon heading north to NH.

I continue to be grateful for the capable, kind, knowledgeable and experienced doctors and nurses at Dana Farber and Brigham & Women's in whose hands I always feel so well cared for. Although I generally enter the building at 75 Francis Street knowing I am there for an exam, or a scan or surgery, I feel a strange sense of comfort when I circle through the revolving door and smell the coffee and pastries from Au Bon Pain. I suppose its a feeling of belonging in a world where having cancer often makes me feel out of sorts and out of place.

Then again, as much as enjoy being there, knowing I am in competent hands and "enjoying" the hospital cream of rice and mashed potatoes, I was equally elated to be freed from room 20-2 in Tower 1 on Saturday afternoon in time to be back home snuggled up in my bed reading with Robbie and the girls before bedtime. 

And now, please stay tuned for a quick PSA in honor of SHARK week and your butt!

Please folks--cover your butt, check your colon and then proceed
with your shark week celebrations.  

Colon cancer is rising at alarming rates among the under-50 crowd. In the last 24 years colorectal cancer has risen 51%.  In the next 12 years it is predicted that among young adults, ages 20-45 the incidence of colon cancer will increase by 90% and rectal cancer by 124% (American Cancer Society).  No family history required!  I know it's more fun to talk about sharks, than your butt, but please pay attention to any new or unusual symptoms and talk to your doctor if you have questions or concerns.  When found early colon cancer has good survival rates.