Generosity

I am blessed in so many ways. Sadly I fear that I don’t always appreciate that fact. “Life” happens and with the rush of the day it’s far too easy to hang on to the stressful moments and only glimpse at the ones you should really focus on. I have been reminded of others generosity lately and in fact have been touched deeply by it.

Two days ago I had out-patient surgery. However for some time prior I’d been dealing with pain and discomfort in my man area. Yes, the scrotum. I had some sort of growth in there for a few years but over the past 6-8 months it decided that size mattered and went to work. Its mission - to get as large as possible. Humor is my weapon and I joked about it being an alien, or a watermelon. I was however a bit freaked out and knew I needed to have it looked at. I couldn’t. Why? Because I’m 52. My dad passed away in the hospital at 52 and there was no way I would be admitted to the hospital at that age. Stupid? Silly? Maybe but that was the deal.

Suddenly everything seems to point me to the doctor. I’d feel like I’d been hit in the groin 80% of the time. Trying to make it through spin class while sitting on the alien hurt. I’d try and push it to the side but eventually there wasn’t any room to move it. Running caused discomfort. Walking no better. My best friend noticed and basically said get to the doctor. She was more colorful that than…

Saw the doctor who poked me in places I’d rather not think about which resulted in an appointment for an ultrasound to determine the makeup of the alien. Two days later I was at the hospital waiting for my name to be called. My tech calls me, oh great it’s a woman. Just what I hoped for…not! Next thing I know my “goods” are laying out in the open air as she’s squirting hot gel on her tools of the trade. I won’t share the details of the next 30-45 minutes except to say that she was chatty and I was most uncomfortable – how does one carry on a conversation when his…well, you get the picture.

The results of the ultrasound showed not a tumor but a hydrocele. Basically fluid buildup that was expanding because there was nowhere for it to go. The solution was surgery. At this point in time I had alerted those at work, family and friends. I will say that the people I work with at Quadrant Homes are the best. They were truly concerned and cared about me, not that fact that I would miss work, but about how I was doing. You only find people like that in an organization bred in character. I am grateful to work for a company like that. Family and friends emailed, called, and texted to show their support. My oldest called me three balls. How cute :).

My surgery was in the afternoon and Sharon called and offered to take me to her PT that morning to help take my mind off the surgery. Watching her and others go through PT and chatting with the therapists was good medicine. We finished up and she drove me to the hospital. All along I was receiving messages. Steve was praying for me and others gave shout outs for best wishes. Funny how things like that give you a peaceful confidence. My nerves calmed and I soon met Joy, my nurse. She was a little kooky but what the heck – I wondered about her when she tried to write with the wrong end of the pen, then told me she would take good care of me….Soon I was rolled to the third floor where I met the team who would fix me. I recall hearing that I was getting happy juice and after a couple breaths in the mask they slid over my mouth I was out. In what seemed like minutes I woke up and it was done. Over. I survived.

Once I was aware enough to grab my phone I had well over 20 messages and texts from family and friends. How great that felt. In the middle of their busy lives they knew what I was going through and took the time to check in. Sharon came to pick me up but the hospital wouldn’t let me go until I peed. Apparently that’s an important function. I didn’t have to go. Tea was ordered by Sharon to help move things along. By the time I had two glasses of water, a glass of cranberry juice, and two glasses of tea, I made my way to the bathroom. Success. Heck, the nurses in the hallway heard me going. It was time to go!

I arrived home and was tucked in, safe and sound. The next day I slept a lot. I was floating in and out of awareness. Now the same day I was having my minor surgery my neighbor Angie was having a mastectomy. Turns out after a routine mammogram cancer was found. Angie and her husband Mitch are great people with two lovely kids. Her surgery was a success and Tuesday we’ll know if they got it all. I pray they did. Even with all that going on in their lives, they touched mine. I woke up yesterday to a note on my fridge (picture posted to the left) and plenty of food. Wow. Sharon has been by to check on me at all hours and calls from family and friends continue. I hope I never take any of you for granted and I’ll be there, for each and every one of you when you need me, maybe even if you think you don’t.

Saw the doctor yesterday and he removed the drain. Ever watch someone pull out a nearly 4 inch long piece of plastic from your scrotum? It was like watching a sword swallower pull his sword out. Ouch is all I can say. He plugged the hole and taped me up. His orders are no sex for a month (really, like that was happening before?) and no exercise for the same time period. Lift nothing over 10 pounds. Weight gain here I come. I’ll be a little sloppy for awhile and will miss out on my annual polar bear dive and 5K. I’m glad I had the surgery. Next time you see me I’ll be a little slimmer below the belt and a bit chunkier above….a pretty good trade off I think.