Suzette
graduate
- Joined
- Jun 27, 2015
- Messages
- 815
- Age
- 64
- Location
- Worcestershire
- Gender
- Female
- Country
United Kingdom
@DesertHorses How are things going?
THR Arizona Dreamin'
- Thread starter DesertHorses
- Start date
- Status
OP
OP
DesertHorses
member
Wow - didn't realize it has been that long since I've visited here!
My six week post-op check on the 19th went well, the surgeon was as pleased as I am with how things are going. I even managed a few show off can-can kicks from my old dancing days - just not very high.
Cleared for riding but I still want to wait a bit. Truth be told I'm a tad scared as that's a long way to fall down and I don't think I bounce very well any more. So I'll climb up on the Buckmeister when I feel ready
and meanwhile start on the groundwork with my pretty Dreamer in prep for her tune-up.
My knee-replacement friend has finally had her "turning point" in recovery at three weeks or so where she's becoming mobile, forgetting to take a pain pill now and then and deciding it was worth it after all. Took her out to lunch - her first foray out except for a doctor visit. The trip really tired her out but, she felt, in a good way. I've really been worried about her so made my day to see her returning to her old self.
I caught up on a few wonderful posts and progress reports - @beachgal , @Suzette , '@Dashinghippie and some newbies and hope to catch up some more later after chores are done. Spent yesterday at the monthly schooling horse show working in the office in the morning then spending the afternoon as ring steward walking around in the deep arena footing with the judge. A lot like traipsing through soft beach sand for four hours - quite a workout. My hip did great but my knees are complaining today. Looking forward to playing with my own ponies today.
My six week post-op check on the 19th went well, the surgeon was as pleased as I am with how things are going. I even managed a few show off can-can kicks from my old dancing days - just not very high.
Cleared for riding but I still want to wait a bit. Truth be told I'm a tad scared as that's a long way to fall down and I don't think I bounce very well any more. So I'll climb up on the Buckmeister when I feel ready
and meanwhile start on the groundwork with my pretty Dreamer in prep for her tune-up.My knee-replacement friend has finally had her "turning point" in recovery at three weeks or so where she's becoming mobile, forgetting to take a pain pill now and then and deciding it was worth it after all. Took her out to lunch - her first foray out except for a doctor visit. The trip really tired her out but, she felt, in a good way. I've really been worried about her so made my day to see her returning to her old self.
I caught up on a few wonderful posts and progress reports - @beachgal , @Suzette , '@Dashinghippie and some newbies and hope to catch up some more later after chores are done. Spent yesterday at the monthly schooling horse show working in the office in the morning then spending the afternoon as ring steward walking around in the deep arena footing with the judge. A lot like traipsing through soft beach sand for four hours - quite a workout. My hip did great but my knees are complaining today. Looking forward to playing with my own ponies today.
OP
OP
DesertHorses
member
I've been under the radar for a long while. Was kind of gut kicked and have had my whole world turned awry.
Right now I should have been heading up the California coast with a horse in tow or working at the horse show or just about anything except feeling exhausted after spending a week in hospital trying to breath and getting chemo.
My May pre-op X-ray didn't show anything but just about the time of my last post in July I started getting short of breath. Figured allergies plus smoke from the wildfire down the way and monsoon season humidity kicking in. Because I had had some thrush issues after both my dental and my hip surgery, we thought maybe Valley Fever or another myco/fungal infection. After wasting August and most of September with doctors messing around with anti-fungals, the NP sent me for a new chest X-ray. Within half an hour, I was headed for a CT with contrast and within a couple of days to a thoracic surgeon for biopsy and staging.
Needless to say, I have never been so scared. By last Saturday I couldn't breath and was certain I would end up on a vent (as a former ICU nurse, one of my great fears).
Looking back, overwhelming fatigue was my first "real" sign that something was truly wrong even before I started with shortness of breath - it was getting worse after my hip surgery after my initial wonderful improvement. The "allergy" excuse turned out to be just that - an excuse that helped me deny something bad was going on.
The fact that I am here today and contemplating that West Coast road trip for spring is thanks to an incredible, awesome team from the University of Arizona Cancer Center. I have never met such amazing people (well, except maybe here : ) whose sole job was and is to fix me best they can and are totally inspiring me to do my part.
Right now that means rest, getting up in the morning and putting on make up and whatever else I need to do to face the day, kicking butt and taking no prisoners. I'm going to lick this and live out my full genetic potential and play with my ponies!!!!!!
I do hope all the wonderful people I have met here are doing well. I was considering signing off the forum but think I'll stick around for a bit. I might be "off topic" but I sure wouldn't mind a hug or two.
Right now I should have been heading up the California coast with a horse in tow or working at the horse show or just about anything except feeling exhausted after spending a week in hospital trying to breath and getting chemo.
My May pre-op X-ray didn't show anything but just about the time of my last post in July I started getting short of breath. Figured allergies plus smoke from the wildfire down the way and monsoon season humidity kicking in. Because I had had some thrush issues after both my dental and my hip surgery, we thought maybe Valley Fever or another myco/fungal infection. After wasting August and most of September with doctors messing around with anti-fungals, the NP sent me for a new chest X-ray. Within half an hour, I was headed for a CT with contrast and within a couple of days to a thoracic surgeon for biopsy and staging.
Needless to say, I have never been so scared. By last Saturday I couldn't breath and was certain I would end up on a vent (as a former ICU nurse, one of my great fears).
Looking back, overwhelming fatigue was my first "real" sign that something was truly wrong even before I started with shortness of breath - it was getting worse after my hip surgery after my initial wonderful improvement. The "allergy" excuse turned out to be just that - an excuse that helped me deny something bad was going on.
The fact that I am here today and contemplating that West Coast road trip for spring is thanks to an incredible, awesome team from the University of Arizona Cancer Center. I have never met such amazing people (well, except maybe here : ) whose sole job was and is to fix me best they can and are totally inspiring me to do my part.
Right now that means rest, getting up in the morning and putting on make up and whatever else I need to do to face the day, kicking butt and taking no prisoners. I'm going to lick this and live out my full genetic potential and play with my ponies!!!!!!
I do hope all the wonderful people I have met here are doing well. I was considering signing off the forum but think I'll stick around for a bit. I might be "off topic" but I sure wouldn't mind a hug or two.
@DesertHorses I am so glad you checked in here but so very sorry you are battling cancer! That has to be darn scary! Sounds like you have the right attitude. You are going to come out the other side of this and ride into the sunset! Sending you a cyber ((((((((((((((hug))))))))))))))! Please keep us updated.
Suzette
graduate
- Joined
- Jun 27, 2015
- Messages
- 815
- Age
- 64
- Location
- Worcestershire
- Gender
- Female
- Country
- United Kingdom
Hi @DesertHorses ... oh my, you have been through the ringer, massive big hugs from me too xoxoxoxox and keep up your positive attitude and before you know it you will be on that west coast road trip and playing with your ponies.
Sending positive vibes to you from over the pond oxox xxx
Sending positive vibes to you from over the pond oxox xxx
Hipster Girl
graduate
oh gosh @DesertHorses I am so sorry to hear about the cancer. 
Sending big cyber hugs to you!
So glad to hear you have a wonderful medical team at the Cancer Center, and you have such a positive attitude. You sound like a fighter and I have no doubt you will be taking that road trip come Spring. Sending prayers for you! (((((((HUGS)))))))
Sending big cyber hugs to you! So glad to hear you have a wonderful medical team at the Cancer Center, and you have such a positive attitude. You sound like a fighter and I have no doubt you will be taking that road trip come Spring. Sending prayers for you! (((((((HUGS)))))))
Me2
post-grad
Great big hugs --- hoping the very best for you!!!!!
- Status
