SURGERY

Well I went to the doc today. I really hate going in there because I pay them to basically tell me everything I already know. I reviewed my MRI report and understood what it said and I knew what the doc was gonna tell me today but I still had to go in and have him say it out loud. It is just kind of frustrating because of how expensive it is to just TALK to a doctor. it ended up being cheaper for me to have the dumb MRI than it was to talk to the doc. Anyways.. there is my little vent of frustration about medical bills. So based on the title of my blog I'm sure you know I'm having surgery on my hand. yay! He said there is a possibility that the tumor could be wrapped around the nerve that runs through there but it was hard to tell. So if it is affecting the nerve they might have to take part of it out in the surgery. Which means part of my 3rd finger would be numb. They always try and avoid doing anything that would damage the nerve of course but sometimes it's unavoidable. So a few of the downsides to the surgery are that my finger might go numb, My hand most likely will develop scar tissue (which hopefully will be avoided with some lymphatic work), I have to miss 4-6 weeks of work to heal all the way, and it's gonna most likely be expensive. I'll be able to use my hand pretty well not too long after the procedure but where I do massage therapy- I won't be able to go back to work right away like most people can. It will take the 4-6 weeks to get the full strength back to where I am able to use pressure. The downsides don't really outweigh the good sides so that is why I have decided to go ahead with the procedure. I have had this thing in my hand for over a decade and it has bothered me the whole time. I am sick of having the dumb thing in there and it's time for it to come out! I can't have the surgery right away though which kinda sucks.. I have to save up a bit so I can pay for the surgery and save up for the time I will be missing at work. The doc said there is no urgency on the timing of the surgery because the tumor is most likely benign. We are thinking the best time to have it will be around the end of April/ beginning of May. It will give us enough time to save our money up and all that and if we do it around that time- it falls after the semester is over and before Summer semester starts so I won't have to miss any school for it. Work might be a little slower around that time as well so I won't be hurting them by missing my shifts. Louise might kill me though because the recital is at the end of May.. maybe I will have a speedy recovery and be able to play still... who knows. doubtful though. It's easier for me to miss the recital though than it would be to miss school and also I need to have some time for the money aspect of it or else we will be screwed. I think I kind of need to mentally prepare for it as well.. I am not good when it comes to pain and needles- all that stuff freaks me out. So 5 months should be plenty of time to get all my nervousness out. So thanks for all of you who have been asking about it and showing concern. It's been a pretty crazy week between finals.. my doctors visits.. work.. and a few other family issues and problems that have come up. We will make it through though and we will be ok. So..... I will be pretty bored for those few weeks I am out for the surgery so if anyone needs any help with anything I am sure I will be available with lots of free time on my hands. :)