The Journey Begins

When the journey had only begun I can remember it was warm outside, maybe July or August. I came in from swimming one day, and taking off my bathing suit, I realized how weird my stomach had started to look. My right abdomen had begun to sink in and the skin to became rather hard. I of course went to my parents who seemed to be worried and confused at the same time. So we started first by going to my family doctor who of course had no clue what was happening to my stomach.

From this point I was sent to a dermatologist at Knoxville’s children hospital. I was nervous sitting in the waiting room. My heart nearly sank to my toes when my name was called. As I sat on the table waiting for the doctor I looked around wondering, hoping for good news, answers, anything to explain what was happening. The doctor came in, she was rather nice and cheerful and ensured me that we would find answers.

Test, tests, and more tests. My first CT scan was an absolute nightmare. They gave me this nasty medicine to drink a cup every few minutes for what seemed like forever. But finally it was my turn to go lay in the big donut! Laying there was the easiest thing I had done all day! After it was done I got a candy surprise in the form of Whoppers. My favorite candy at the time. That was my treat for doing such a good job. A week later the doctor wanted another test in the form of a MRI. Once I learned I wouldn’t have to drink anything I was 100 percent fine with going into another donut of sorts. At this point I could walk myself straight to the radiology department. Once there I showed the nurse where she could find the best vein for my IV then it began. It was noisy and I kept playing a movie in my head to pass the time also to make sure I stayed still. After around 30 minutes I was done! Going to the car I had hoped that some strawberry whoppers had my name on them. Low and behold I was right!

The call from the doctor was a bit worrying. That was the first day the word tumor was spoke about. The hole family was concerned and the only way to know more was of course another test. This time a surgery! A Biopsy of the tissue. On the ride to the hospital a few weeks later my nervous had gotten the best of me. Luckily my parents seemed as cool as a cucumber. I was able to bring my trusty sidekick along. My purple platypus of course! I had won him one year at Easter and he went to every doctor appointment and important occasion. The nurse came and walked me back to change into my gown and ever important hair net. The Anesthesiologist came in to give me what I call “drunk juice.” Boy, did it work, all my worries went away. My only worry was if they would take my purple friend away from me. I kissed my parents good by and the nurses began to wheel me away to the operating room. Once in there they all started to comment on how cute my purple friend was and right before I was put to sleep the surgeon ensured me that nothing would happen to him. 10-9-8...

Amber... Amber you need to try to wake up. It was over and before I knew it I was waking up with a heart bandage on my abdomen and a smile on my family's faces. It had all gone to plan and the surgeon said I did great. An hour later my purple platypus and I were in the car and heading home. Recovery went well as I loved getting to stay home from school a hole week. Two weeks came and went and it was time to go back to the doctor for the results. Nerves were not even a factor at this point. The months before had really got me ready for anything she was going to tell me. So when she said “you have a benign tumor" everyone including myself was relieved! Finally an answer!

The nightmare was over!

Or was it?