An Answer to Prayer

It truly was a miracle!  Dr. Clohisy only had to take 60% of the gluteal muscle so I still have some of the muscle left.  Apparently, the tumor was well contained and he just removed some tissue surrounding the tumor and the tumor itself and was able to save the rest of the muscle!!  I didn't get to see him after the surgery to give him a hug but I plan on doing it when I see him of Friday.  I asked if they could take a picture of the tumor so I could see what it looked like and how big it was but he didn't make any promises.  Angela's description as to the size of the tumor was "the size of a Chipotle burrito".
I did get to stay overnight for "pain control".  I was really doing quite well though.  No nausea or anything else and the pain was not unbearable.  I was transferring to the commode by myself after the first time and did just fine.  Trying to get discharged the next morning was a long procedure.  The intern came in and wrote the discharge orders at 7 am but getting the take home meds was quite another thing.  The doctor said he would have PT come and instruct my on using the crutches but they never did show up.  But I figured it out by myself.  I used crutches on the way home but found it was just as easy to walk on my own around the house.  And the drive home was a piece of cake.  I just sat in the seat like normal and was quite comfortable.  It was just amazing how good I felt and how little pain I had.  The worst pain is leaning forward but I'm finding ways of getting around that too.  I even washed my own hair over the tub today, thankfully we have a removable shower head so it makes it doable.
I would never have thought I would be doing so well, not in my wildest dreams!  I even walked around the block with Curt and Angela  last night.  I did take the cane but didn't really need it.  I'm not sure what it would have been like if the whole muscle was removed but I am glad I didn't have to find out.  I haven't done more that 1 or 2 stairs yet, I'm sure that will be a little challenging.  And don't think that I'm walking at a normal speed.  No, this is fairly slow but getting better every day.  I am really looking forward to Friday when I get the drain out and I'm assuming the staples will come out also and this big dressing that is covering the incision right now.  It is quite a long incision, I'd say about 10 inches or so.  I'm praying for the incision to heal without complications and that I continue to feel as wonderful as I do now.  God is so very, very good!!