That Ol'e Higher Power Really Does Work In Mysterious Ways

Have you ever heard that saying the #Lord , God, that #HigherPower works in Mysterious ways? Okay well I know I am probably not the best example to Future #survivors You guys just kind of have to look at me like a Mom lol "Do as I say Not as I do ".

Anyway yes I have been procrastinating about seeing a doctor ... might shock some to know but I have not stepped into a doctors office in well over a year now, and then it was because i had a bad cold that almost went to pneumonia and I got a round of antibiotics and steroids, and was supposed to make an appointment because I knew then I needed to get some blood work done.... well 1 week at a time procrastinating and here I am about 60 weeks or so later.... and still have not gone. The past year it is hard to admit out loud (Or type) but quality of life has somewhat declined, but mainly because of my own stubbornness. Everyone wants you to take pills or schedule tests that load you with chemicals etc.... I just didn't want to put anything into my body anymore... I haven't taken anything at all for a year now, I even stopped taking the levothyroxine for my thyroid completely at this point... early last year I was getting unable to sleep, losing weight, appetite loss... the usual symptoms and I cut the dosage in half and for a few months that was better I slept and ate again.... then it came back so I dropped it completely, that was like last October or so, and again seemed to help.... but yeah I need to get that checked out because I can't cut the dose any more ...
Doctors had said #thyroid was wiped out by #radiation treatments cause in the line of fire but could possibly regrow ... So who knows maybe I'm hyperactive now? I get occasional pancreatitis attacks and pass the random small kidney stones here and there... (I think usually as a result of trying to use over the counter pain relievers... I know its a no no but pain in one body part or another which tends to decide how the day is going that day seems to have designated himself my best buddy.

SO Any way lol #ChemoBrain I digress

So I was saying He works in mysterious ways because Yeah been #procrastinating and Know I have to see a doctor (Yuck I hate going to doctors I don't have time for that (or energy I am too busy trying to do STUFF that I need to do on a daily basis) and now in the course of doing stuff....

I was in the barn getting the horses their grain and son of a bitch something flew into my ear... and I do not mean just flew into (or maybe dropped from ceiling no idea didn't get to see it) I mean this sucker proceeded to intentionally immediately drill deeper into my ear... DO YOU KNOW HOW LOUD A BUG CRAWLING UP AGAINST YOUR EARDRUM IS? Man!!!! I mean this sucker went to town. Of course tried to get it with finger, piece of hay stalk, water from hose, etc..... nope sucker just kept burrowing.... and I am like #WTF How deep can the damn thing go? Finish with animals and by this time cannot stand the vibration in my ear and it's messing with my balance .... Up to the house..... ALCOHOL.... hmmmmmmmmmmmmmm okay well it is quiet now.... but cannot flush out and as if it is not bad enough my poor ears always ring anyway, and I can't hear well now my right ear is like muffled and irritated from alcohol and q tip digging and common sense dictates I am doing nothing but pushing it in deeper... 

GGGGGGGGGGGRRRRRRR.
Now after much swearing and fussing and stomping about in the course of all this.... I mean really I had things to get done.... I ended up doing the only thing we #CancerSurvivors can do some times.... I ended up #laughing, cracking up and looking on the #BrightSide.... Hey so you got a bug in your ear and you can't clean and go transplant the mints you were going to move today..... BUT at least I am calling the doctor... lol been so long probably not there anymore ahahaha... Who would have thunk with all the issues of the past year that I have just got through on my own a #BugInMyEar would be what makes me FINALLY go ? Well I guess since I "Have" to go in I will get some of that blood work done at least that I have put off so long .

Yes This Cancer Survivor Is Still Kicking

Hello all I know I said I would try to get on here more often and keep this blog alive ;) I am still kicking and even though not able to stay outside in the extreme heat for too long at a time I do continue to live on my little farm and putter with my various herbs and plantings. My faithful Shug has passed on but My Jake and Earnie are still fat and sassy and enjoying what my husband refers to as a life of permanent vacation. lol I tell people if they are reincarnated people that wanted to be a horse they must have been very good people to have such a sweet life. I take good care of my big babies even if I do not have the energy after meeting all of their needs to really ride anymore, I get as much satisfaction just being around them and soaking up good horsey vibe mojo energy ;) .

I should have brought the camera out with me... I  promise next time I will :)

The honeysuckle are a riot of blossoms here and I have been out there pretending to be a Giant hummingbird and savoring the sweet nectar lol.

Did you know honeysuckle are beneficial and use is mentioned in ancient Chinese medical text?

Anyway I am trying to keep my word as a #CancerSurvivor and Keep the blog alive as long as I am so even though I am keeping the post short (Because I really am the busiest unpaid person in the world lol) Here I am and Off I go and just a reminder our #CancerSupport facebook group can be found here and we welcome everyone 
Love Deb

Just wanted to share the link to my book that is filled with interesting, helpful and heartfelt advice about Life Before During and Beyond Cancer http://www.amazon.com/What-Expect-When-Expecting-Cancer/dp/1492387789/ref=sr_1_4?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1386810477&sr=1-4&keywords=throat+cancer

Hello and greetings and apologies for not getting around ot checking my Google accounts lately :) I have as always and as usual been staying very  busy... It is hard to believe 2 years have flown by since Congress's shenanigans with the farm bill and limits to sales outside certain radius's made me decide the Herbal Tea business, (even though I do of course continue to grow here for friends and personal use), was just too much work for me outside and too iffy and stressful and worrisome as far as from a legal aspect and confusing tax matters to continue.

I am glad to see so many have enjoyed the information and I wanted to take a moment in response to numerous inquiries... yes anyone who would like to make use of or share the blog entries with proper credit back that is fine with me ... it is after all more about sharing knowledge with each other.

I wish I had saved the yola site info :( It was so well organized and had so many nice pictures ;) Alas I guess I waited too long, or Yola is no more? Either way links to site have gone dead so this blog is all that is left of the herb information compiled over the years.

As far as myself I am still here and still kicking ...  I have published my first book available on Amazon
http://www.amazon.com/What-Expect-When-Expecting-Cancer/dp/1492387789/ref=sr_1_4?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1386810477&sr=1-4&keywords=throat+cancer

I have also published a couple of children's books  http://www.amazon.com/Day-Lion-Learned-Not-Bully/dp/1493702106/ref=sr_1_4?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1396022614&sr=1-4&keywords=debra+paulsen   as well as begun a #Teachers Resource #Classroom & #Clubs #Children's #GroupActivity book series as well.  http://www.amazon.com/How-Lion-Learned-Not-Bully/dp/1494441349/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1396022681&sr=1-1&keywords=debra+paulsen

Currently I am working hard on a 5 book Classrooms and Clubs #Teacher Resource set about #EmergencyPreparedness for Pre K - 3rd Grade due out at the end of May.

I will try to get back here occasionally and you are of course all welcome to find me at one of the many facebook pages / groups I manage or am a member of, and I am on these regularly (lol Daily pretty much) .


https://www.facebook.com/groups/215366621962547/

https://www.facebook.com/MsmManipulatesCnnFoxArePropagandaTools


My Personal "Baby"  https://www.facebook.com/pages/R-R-O-O-T-S-Real-Restrictions-On-Officials-Trading-Stocks/296178800403843

And of course I still stay busy volunteering with my Kids at the center in our Tortoise Pack too https://www.facebook.com/pages/Brick-West-End-Tortoise-Pack-Mascot/178579952221774

GREETINGS FROM THE PAATRIOT

I have not been blogging much here lately, and I wanted to take this opportunity to wish everyone a Safe and Healthy and Happy 2012 <3

For new comers and others who may have missed the post, even though I love doing this and believe in my natural tended with love herbal teas, I have removed all paypal links for selling my high quality all natural herbal tea products because of the passage of new government regulations that prohibit (among other restrictive things) selling beyond a 275 mile radius. That of course defeats the purpose of working to promote or even trying. Laws and regs too confusing and restrictive, penalties too high if you do something you didn't know was wrong, etc.... It is a shame because I really felt what I was doing was a good thing and would have loved the opportunity to "make a living" from home which is important to me as a cancer survivor. I soooo want to be "productive" . Unfortunately if you think the job market is unfriendly try being someone like me. Yes I would love the job but I have to tell you I have many doctors appts per year, I suffer headaches and have no saliva and tire easily, and my neck hurts , etc..... lol.  Sigh.

Anyway, most of my efforts as far as almost blogging are on my facebook pages I maintain https://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/What-is-Occupy-Wall-Street/194578233949021      
 and https://www.facebook.com/#!/groups/207618339250155/

I do still try to come in occasionally to check for messages and as the weather warms I will resume posting herbal and gardening and religious entries for 2012.

Peace Love and prosperity and Perseverance to all in 2012 from Debbie Paulsen

PET Scans Completed

Okay well just dropping in here very briefly to let everyone know that the latest PET scan was done on Tuesday. The tech said the report should be finished in 4 days, so Wed., Thurs. Fri only makes 3, Monday will be 4. The way I am looking at it now is the old adage no news is good news is best. I figure if there was something obvious I would most likely hear sooner, so like I said no news is good news on the latest PET scan. It is 100% possible and plausible that my problems are related to damage from radiation treatments, as opposed to the return of cancer in the same place, or another.

At my last appt with my Chemo doc it was also noted that my TSH levels were way too high, 25 plus, but my t3 and t4's were on the high side of normal. Could be the thyroid pooping the bed, as it was in the line of fire for the radiation treatments, main concerns are over pituitary gland involvement. I have been started on a low dose of levothyroxine in an attempt to stabilize or lower TSH being pumped out by the pituitary, and the intent is to monitor next few months and see where these levels settle. I have only been on the medication for a few days now, and as of yet can't say I feel better, but I will give it a try. Problem is I am having hyper and hypo thyroid symptoms, but doc says this can happen when the thyroid is in the process of burning out, or dying. Some days it puts out enough and other days it doesn't I guess:)

As far as Mother Nature's Herbal Teas things are going well, and orders continue to sporadically come in from various locations. I would like to welcome the state of Florida to our list of customers:) It will be time to put the garden to bed for the season before you know it, and I look forward to focusing on writing and art as I do most winters.

Well that's it for now, must be off to the post office to ship latest order, everyone have a great day:)

PET / CT scans Approved

Well small victory won anyway. My chemotherapy  oncologists Dr. S was amazed that scans were denied, lol never saw the small man so animated as he was at the last appointment. He told them that now my TSH levels were highly elevated and that my T4 should have been low, but was high, and now there are questions of pituitary gland involvement as well as thyroid (because last CT noted a spot on thyroid at that time) and he wanted the PET scan ASAP. Last scans had pointed out a total of 5 areas in question, that there was no way to tell if this was tissue damage from radiation treatments, or recurrent cancer. I am now scheduled for Tuesday, so in a few short days, unless there is another unforeseen fiasco at the time of procedure like last week, I should get some peace of mind that can only come with further information. Here's Hoping for Clean PET / CT Scans on Tuesday:) Latest problems really could possibly be combination of radiation necrosis and thyroid problems, both of which are very treatable and correctable, and it would be really nice to find out if the damn radio tracers light up or not at these areas under debate.

Coping in Tough Times

We all have our own personal crosses to bear the important thing is the grace with which we carry the load:) Yesterday mine was getting almost too heavy to hold on to, and my feet were faltering threatening to trip me, (translation: I was getting snippy and irritated, frustrated with everything, basically feeling completely negative thoughts) and when I thought I had reached a point where I knew I would not be able to take even one more step without dropping and breaking my cross (translation: dealing with health concerns, and finances, doctors and insurance companies) I paused for a moment (Translation: crying my eyes out begging the Lord to lighten my load, to give me the strength I needed to make it through these difficult times). Today I feel like I ate my wheaties lol and I know I can continue on steadily and with grace yet again for at least a while more:)

Latest Updates

It is pretty late, the tail end of a sad and somber day, actually just a little after midnight of 9/11, beginning 9/12.
As quick as I can will update on how those scans went that I was supposed to do last week. You may remember I was supposed to have a full body PET and neck and chest CT on the 9th. Well that day was an absolute scheduling and insurance company fiasco. So after waiting since June with recommendations and request for a new PET from 3 different doctors because last CT was inconclusive they said could not determine if the 5 spots they noted were recurrent disease or radiation damage w/o PET. Mind you this was all the way back to April and now here we are September, and still have not accomplished getting the PET accomplished because when I got there for the appts the only one that went smoothly was the lab work/bloodtest. There was supposed to be a CT neck and chest and a full body PET, somehow they had these scheduled as all separate. Ct neck at 10, PET at 11 over in another building, then back to first building for neck and chest. Which was crazy, the PET/CT can be done at the same time same machine, you guys know what I mean. When we arrived I tried to tell them that hey, why aren't these all together, why 2 different places to go, why run contrast 3 times? Oh well we're ready for you now, lets get you in for the neck scan, and while that's being done they were going to call over the other building, set up the chest ct to be done with the PET. Well while I got the Neck CT done, they made their calls, and the insurance company, most likely because of this crazy 3 procedures in 1 day that could have been combined into one, denied my PET scan, and the chest CT. Very disappointing. Having been on edge waiting for the answer cancer or damage, this just stunk. Now I am supposed to go up again next week see my chemo and rad docs, and their going to try to figure out why the PET was denied, and get it scheduled next week. Now here's the dumb part, I already got a call and the chest CT is scheduled for the 16th, same day I see the docs, now if the docs are trying to push for a PET, here we go again insurance company is going to be looking at basically another double request so to speak. I just hope we can resolve this next week and just get the PET done. One Dr. was telling us we should just sign a waiver and get the PET done, like no problem $6,000 dollars, yes lets do that today. Sigh. Well, gee I guess I vented here pretty good lol. 

6 Months Post Radiation and Chemo Treatments

I try to keep it positive here as a form of therapy for myself and perhaps others in some small way, so Okay I know I have been away again for an extremely long time. I was having a hard time coming up with something positive to write about for a bit. My apologies but besides the extreme heat wave which makes it exhausting to accomplish the simplest of outside chores, I have not been not feeling so great as mentioned in some of my previous post since Memorial Day weekend. We have also been very busy getting ready for our appraisal that was "completed" last week. Why the quotes? Because I would like you to insert sarcastic tone here, most incomplete, unproffessional appraisal I have ever seen. Might as well have been a drive by, and the comps are so incomparable to what we have here. Oh Well... That will be a topic for another post when I have more time, right now I am supposed to focus on my topic which is where I am at six months out from last cancer treatment.
As you may have read here on my blog I was diagnosed with stage IVb throat cancer last year, and as of April I had clean scans... no saliva, and a few funky tastebuds that couldn't tell poop from pomegranites lol, and problems with neck and muscles from radiation damage.
I want to mention again here as far as the taste buds, because this is something many cancer treatment patients go through, I feel your pain if you are experiencing this now. I had begun chewing a Stevia leaf most mornings as I watered the garden. I was surprised that other sweet sugary foods I had tried, including apples which I love, tasted like dirt, and worse, but the stevia tasted good. There are so few things that have tasted good, and it was a treat. Well, come to find out research has shown that stevia is actually good for your oral health. As a matter of fact in many countries it is listed as a mouthwash ingredient lol.  Anyway, yes it was nice to taste something good, so I got in the habit of chewing a little piece , you only need a tiny tiny piece while I was out there. The docs have been amazed at the good conditions in my mouth at last visit. Well Guess what? I ate an apple yesterday... AND IT WAS GOOD!!!! Hurray.
Lol seriously unless you lost your ability to taste and produce saliva like those who have gone through chemo or radiation, especially of the head and neck, you could never understand how difficult it makes eating.
I had posted a month or so ago that I really missed the flavor of apples. Well we picked our ripe apples the other day, and the granny smith's are delicious:)
hehehe it is sometimes the smallest of little things in life that can bring the greatest joy:)
A tiny newborn baby, a smile, a hug... and the taste of apples.
Have hope the taste buds will return :)

Natural Loose Tea It Will Be

Okay, so cancer has slowed me a bit, the economy and jobs market is really tough right now (Especially for an aging babyboomer, borderline hippy recovering from cancer like me), so how can I make a substantial living?
I have my little farm, (emphasis on little), I have a creative head on my libran shoulders, and a deep abiding love and respect for nature, there must be some niche in the market out there. Some way to market a legitimate, honest product that I personally believe in.

The business proposition I would like to pursue is marketing my tea blend. Made with my own naturally grown, never seen a chemical herbicide or pesticide plants that I have been growing here for over a decade.
Being a down to earth, country living and loving individual I have always had nature at my beck and call. Not to mention I listened well to the old timers as I grew up. Elderly and passed on friends and relatives who passed on tips from their parents and grandparents over the years.
I have always experimented and brewed teas of various herbs and plants over the years, sipping a cuppa now and then when the fancy took me. Mostly mints, and lemon balm, sometimes a little St. Johns Wort, and over the past few years my Stevia plants, honeysuckle and rose hips, oh there are so many good things good for you.
I only grow naturally, always have.
Now I just need to find a way to advertise, to market my high quality product, and sell it.

And for the record Of course I am not claiming that my tea will guarantee anyone a better survival rate if they are in a battle with cancer as I was. That would not be right because I do not know if it is true, I only know I was at stage IVb, and as I progressed through treatments, chemo and radiation, there was not much that I wanted, and it was difficult to stay hydrated, and I did drink a lot more cups of tea. And I continue to have at least one cup every day.
Some may even say if you are such a big tea drinker, then how did you get cancer to begin with?

To that question I would say I am mostly to blame for developing throat cancer due to decades spent as a painting contractor in the construction and remodeling business, as well as being a heavy smoker since I was a teenager. Add to these two factors the genetically modified foods of all kinds that we consume daily, combined with poor water and air quality and I say it is a wonder we are not all walking around with cancer.
Maybe teas are the answer to reducing or removing bad toxins from our bodies.

I have time over the summer to work out all the details, as the gathering and drying process will of course in large quantity be quite lengthy. The Honeysuckle blooms will be gathered, dried and stored throughout the early summer, I will start this week. The honeysuckle will be mixed with dandelion blooms, both blooms having cleansing qualities. I have the cutting and drying of the mints, Stevia and lemon balm. Then of course the Rose Hips which I will mainly gather in late September. In June the persimmon leaves are to be harvested. This Better Body Blend Tea is intended as a detox and immune booster, and since the leaves are minimally handled, only picked and dried, I considered it a white herbal tea.
Even though I do enjoy fresh loose leaf teas year round, to package and sell, each individual plant must be properly dried, so realistically I am looking at most likely end of summer before I will have a packaged product ready for release.

Looking forward to the project, and as always I would welcome any input, or even advance orders for Deb's 2010's blend.

Watch for the release of Deb's Better Body Blend; Mint, lemon balm, stevia, honeysuckle & Dandelions mix, white clover, miniature roses and persimmon leaf.

Also working on ratios for It's Supposed To Be Bedtime; chamomile, St. Johns Wort, Stevia, persimmon, and lemon balm.

Stevia notes

Wow Friday all ready, and I haven't posted since Wednesday! Shame on me the days are getting away from me.
I have been so physically exhausted this week, and I really do not know why. Well maybe it was getting the load of hay the other day, or planting and planting in the garden. But really just feeling more tired than I know I should be.
You know that feeling like each leg weighs 150 lbs?
I have about as much grace and reaction speed today as a turtle would on a brisk cold day, in the shade.
Not sure if I mentioned it previously, but about 4 years ago or so I planted a patch of Stevia.I thought the Stevia plants would be a nice addition in my tea mixes (I was right by the way, a touch of sweetness without adding sugar). I like to try perennials that have medicinal qualities, and if they do well ... let them grow. Mints, lemon balm, honeysuckle, roses, and soon Stevia, abound. All excellent ingredients for making tea. Rose hips for example are an excellent source of high levels of vitamin C.
That is why I am so happy to report that, even though last year I did not get the opportunity to "put my garden to bed" for the season, because of the October cancer diagnosis, the Stevia, and numerous newly formed off shoots, have made it back for 2010 quite robustly.
This is an exceptionally good sign that it will handle the southern climate here. I was a bit concerned last year, because in high summer heat I did end up making a little tent, so that the hottest part of the day the patch was shaded. They would wilt around 2-3 o'clock each day, then bounce back after the sun passed.
Stevia you may have noticed is big in current television commercials. Of course processed no doubt as has been done with regular sugar.
Stevia is a natural sweetener that originated from South America. The Guarani Indians of Paraguay have used it for hundreds of years, and like many other things we can grow and use in its natural state, stevia will go the patent and pill form route of many other good natural mother earth plants.
Make the Mighty dollar right Monsanto?
Well signing off for now, but will try to check in later:)

I Am Not Defined by My Cancer

Many experts state that a blog is supposed to have a focus, a sharing of specific knowledge.
I am a cancer survivor, and like many others I know deep in my inner recesses, where I hide it away, that I will always have the shadow of cancer returning at any time looming over me. This is an aspect of my life that I would like to share experiences about. What did it feel like when I heard the news I had cancer? What was it like going through chemotherapy and radiation treatments? What was the hardest? What helped me through it that might help someone else? I am working on a book right now detailing these issues, it is called You Can is Part of Your Cancer Diagnosis. So yes cancer related issues will be a popular topic here.
All of my life I have had difficulties fitting into prepared boxes, so my blog should be true to me, and reflect this. While I would like to share tips and inspire other cancer patients, I would not want my life to be defined by this one aspect.
Every day is a new day, and one never knows what I may feel like relaying on any given day.
In the course of recovery I have ups an downs, good and bad days so my mood will no doubt play a role in the daily tone. Did I over due it in the garden today, and I regret it now? Am I frustrated because I have not had enough energy to go riding on my fireball quarter horse Jake yet? Am I satisfied because the plants are doing well going from the greenhouse to the outside garden? Did I stop and smell the roses (Currently the lilacs and wisteria are in bloom here, I LOVE lilacs)? I may write on any of these topics. I may reflect on something as simple, yet as beautiful as a spider web strung with jewels made of morning dew. I may be irritated, infuriated, saddened or elated by transpiring current events or trends. I may get good or bad news at any time during my follow up care appointments. I may even wax poetic occasionally. So you see the focus, if there must be one, is broad; the focus is life.
While I am limited physically in what I am able to do, and accomplish, and working from home as a research writer, I therefore am not getting out in the world much, except for doctors appointments, it would be nice to be able to interact with others.

So anyway as I was saying yesterday I am recovering from cancer,
and for anyone else out there engaged in this ultimate battle for survival I hope that I am able at some point in my postings to inform, bring a smile to your face, or offer a ray of hope... Some of us do make it through to the other side.
For me it was a long road just getting to diagnosis. Anyone else out there ever feel like doctors today just don't listen?
They want to fit you into a box so they can offer you the latest wonder drug they're still testing. Three years of being treated like a hypochondriac and offered enough antidepressants over that time period to fill at least three large medicine chest to overflowing. All of which I insisted I did not need, as I was not depressed, I liked my life and myself. The medications in many ways made me feel worse, prompted additional symptoms, and had nothing to do with treating my medical condition. After all that it was simply losing my voice for two weeks that led to the discovery of the cancer, which was by this time at stage IV.
I intend to create future posts, as the mood hits, me regarding topics close to my heart, or discovered tid bits I come across worth sharing. As a research writer for a major freelance company I often read very interesting information.
I am interested in nature, natural major events, and the taboo topic of weather control and chemtrails. I am an avid anti GMO, old school gardener with multiple beds and a greenhouse, and I raise chickens, ducks, horses, dogs, pigs (in the freezer now) etc... so sustainability, and general interest small hobby farm rantings may randomly pop in here as well.
I am for the Underdog, equality and harmony.

After Cancer Treatment; PEG Tube Removal

So besides starting my first blog I had another first today: I had my PEG Tube, which is AKA as A percutaneous endoscopic gastronomy tube, removed from where it has been implanted in my belly since November last year.
I am recovering from throat cancer, and I definitely used the thing, but it's about summer and I was ready for it to be gone.
The Dr. didn't agree it should come out yet, and said the nurse never should have made the appointment without checking with him first. I'll tell you what after waiting over two hours to be seen, after looking forward to losing this PEG tube as a high point for the past week, I was not leaving with it still in. Long story short, he wanted me to sign an agreement that taking it out was against medical advice release, and I got what I wanted. OUCH, Hurray, OUCH, or as Charlie Sheen would say "Holy Mother of God!!!".
I researched getting it out, and it seemed like it would be no big deal. The majority of the sites explained it was just a matter of deflating the little balloon situated inside my belly, and the tube will pull right out. I did wonder why a couple of the sites that showed up in the google search mentioned IV sedation for pain management though. No Problem.
Yes well Problem, Mine did not have a deflatable balloon, only a solid collar the Dr. said. He also said it was going to hurt real bad. He was right! He held one hand against my abdomen, and with the other YANKED a golf ball size piece of rubber out through a hole in my belly smaller than a pencil. Ouch.Ouch. Ouch is all I can say. It was like being shot in the stomach from the inside out.
All taped up now, not supposed to open it to look till tomorrow when I am to change the bandage.

LOL my husband reminded me, I forgot to mention that when I was insisting to the Doctor that I wanted it out, I was also looking around the room for a pair of scissors, I said I was going to cut the end off, and then he would have to take it out.