Thank you for your reply! Yes, I am very grateful it was caught so early and also for the knowledge that I couldn't have a better surgeon than Dr. John Stauffer.

I do have a gazillion 'what if's" running through this roller coaster of a mind right now. I briefly met with the surgeon in consultation, then we went on and scheduled with his nurse. No time to process all of this when we scheduled. I do believe I was too stunned to speak, then to know exactly how to tell my husband. I am still trying to absorb that I have surgery in one month. I fear there will be little wicked 'c' cells hiding and lurking; that I will wake up and soon be told I have "C". I cannot speak or write the C word.

I would appreciate any and all encouragement and comments regarding others' experiences with this intense surgery. Since I had a gastric bypass just very recently (July 13, 22) I cannot help but wonder if this will make it more difficult or put me at risk for complications, since my stomach has already been re-arranged. My bypass went very smoothly, until after a month when I noted significant physical weakening, growing worse every day. Two ER visits and two admissions....severe weakness and Rescue had to transport me twice - could not walk. Turns out, my potassium was being depleted by long-term use of a diuretic, HCTZ. A very observant hospitalist informed me it should have been noticed before clearance for RNY bypass. My two hospitalizations after bypass were a nightmare, 10 IV bags of Potassium which is very caustic to the veins- now, with all labs they have to use my hands. My veins are shot. So - of course I dread the upcoming IVs...having to use ultrasound to find my veins just for labs and especially for IVs. I have fear there will be complications. I trust God with all of my heart, but being human and with it being ME......like you said - I am now internalizing what it means for me personally. I do have hope and trust. Now I need to stop thinking and just live for the moment.

Thank you Colleen, for reaching out. It means a lot:)

~Victoria~