Quick Recovery?

Okay so I'm officially 18 days post op!!  I went back to see my surgeon today, the one who did all the removal.  He gave me a copy of the pathology report, which states in a foreign language what he'd already told me previously on the phone, no lymph node involvement, and clear margins.  He was very happy with how everything has healed, and thought I looked good.  I don't mind having doctor's that are into teaching, heck a paramedic got to watch my surgery to observe the anesthesiologist.  I think he was studying intubations or something...and today I had not 1 but 2 medical students checking out the goods!!

I had 2 burning questions for the doctor.  The first being WHEN CAN I START EXERCISING?!!  He said no running (so no 5K training just yet) but if I am careful about the bouncing during aerobics I can go back to Jazzercise.  He suggested walking, which Brian and I have already been doing.  Although the other night I was extremely winded during our hour walk.   The second was asking about returning to work.  Because I have another adult in the room with me at all times he said I'm good to go back.  I will be returning to work on Monday, I will work the morning class and through Thursday and then I'm going to skip out on the all day field trip Friday to the zoo.  That's going to be WAY too much.  I am hoping that the  easing into work will be great, and I can be back up to full time for the remainder of the 3 weeks we have left.  Amazingly enough I will have only burned 7 sick days by the time I walk back into my class next Monday.  Which is good because I am sure I might need some of that time if I go through chemo.

I am going to have a CT scan on my chest, stomach and pelvis as well as a full body scan on Wednesday.  I am waiting for them to send over referral paperwork to the oncology office so that I can set up an appointment to see him.  A majority of the questions I have left will be answered by that office.

Thanks again for all the cards and well wishes that everyone has sent.  I haven't had "bad" days, just days where I was feeling up to more than other days, so the cards have been a ray of sunshine for all of the days that I've been home.  You really learn who your true friends are when faced with a mountain to climb in your life.