The procedure as explained by Dr. Miller is to remove the top part of the vagina to address the cancerous lesions that are too deep and too extensive for a successful result from the laser surgeries. The lesions must be excised to try to prevent further penetration into the pelvic region.

In addition, she recommends five weeks of radiation treatments. A further consideration is the pressure on the medical system. If I elect to have the procedure at the clinic on a day surgery basis versus a hospital stay, I could be scheduled quickly and avoid a lengthy wait. It is a family decision to proceed as quickly as possible.

Confident that I have the best help available, I enter the Cancer Clinic under her care. Dr. Miller and I have determined that I would be best served by checking in the previous afternoon for all the tests necessary with surgery first thing in the morning. As soon as I am awake enough to satisfy the recovery room team, I will leave for home.

I am so fortunate to have Ken pledge his time and devotion for my home care recovery. The odyssey of the trip home must be undertaken as soon as possible so that I will benefit from the effects of the anaesthetic for the several hours that the journey will take.

Awakening in the recovery room with all its sounds and smells is deja vu. The very competent nurses are reassuring me that all went well. I will be cleared to leave shortly. Thankfully majorly numb from all the drugs, I am helped into my clothes then into a wheelchair. With pillows, blankets and a rest for my feet, I am installed in the car. A nurse takes it upon herself to write a note that we must stay in the car if we are questioned by the ferry staff.

Thankfully, I sleep or doze most of the several hours of the homeward journey. Awareness is limited to kaleidoscope-like flashes from time to time.

After a seemingly unending time lapse, we finally arrive at home. So very slowly with jabs of pain as reminders of limitation of movements, I get out of the car, then stand and feel the incredible weakness of my body. With help and a strong, so very welcome arm I walk into the house and climb the stairs to our bedroom.

Undressing is newly complicated by not being able to bend or lift a foot more than two inches off the floor. I am grateful for the help although it gives me a feeling of child-like dependency. This ordeal that has me feeling exhausted and dripping in greasy feeling sweat.

Oh, wait, the dreaded bathroom stop first. New elements of pain enter my world. Moving is murderous. Then sleep, blessed sleep returns.

The following days are episodial in nature. Long periods of sleeping and dozing punctuated by loving visits with delivery of water and food. Meals brought to me mainly consist of my favourite fruits and vegetables. Herbals teas are incredibly delicious. I have all the time in the world to read and doze and read. Beyond the excruciating necessity of the bathroom trips, I am thankful.

With dedicated care, my recovery is fairly easy. I am very reassured that this body is still capable of recuperating.

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