Too Sore to Soar
Thank you all for your thoughts, prayers, cards and flowers! Judging by my soreness and inability to move my arms, yesterday's surgery was a resounding success. The doctor said there were no surprises, so let's pray she was able to get clean margins and the lymph nodes don't show any cancer cells. I have my follow up appt. next Wednesday and we will definitely know something then, but the doctor will call if she receives the report early.
Yesterday morning got off to a very early start and I was more than ready for a nap by the time surgery finally rolled around. After I registered around 9:45, I was taken to the main hospital for my nuclear medicine injection. I was given three shots with a radio active tracer at the tumor site. I'm not sure exactly how it works, but the doctor would use a geiger counter to determine which lymph node was the "sentinel" by how radioactive it was. I kinda wish I had been awake for that part, because it sounds neat. I had been given a cream to rub on the site that morning and then cover with Saran Wrap; this numbed the skin. Then before each injection, a blast of freeze spray was applied. I didn't feel anything at all during this part, which is wonderful because many women say this was very painful for them. During surgery a blue dye was added to help the doctor see the lymph nodes. I'm still eliminating blue dye and it could be in the skin on my chest, I just can't see it yet under the bandages.
After I was made radioactive, I returned to the surgery center and waited some more. I read some magazines and let Mom beat me at Sequence a few times and then about 11:30, I was called back to change my clothes into the lovely outfit Kristen described last night. Kris kept me company while the nurse started an IV. They gave me some fluids, an anti-inflammatory and an anti-emetic and then I got to wait some more. This period of waiting was the worst of the day because I wasn't exactly comfortable in my hospital gown and reclining on a stretcher. As soon as I saw my doctor, though, I knew things would happen quickly and they did!
Something was added to my IV so "I wouldn't care" and then I was rolled down to the operating room. I remember climbing from the stretcher to the operating table and them beginning to strap my arms out beside me, but I was soon out completely. The next thing I remember is people saying my name, trying to wake me up. I was covered in bandages, so I assume something was done to me during that time. I'm sure I gave the nurses an earful while I was waking up, because the things I remember saying are pretty funny. Who knows what I said that I can't remember. I think the first thing I said was "I need to go to the bathroom." When she offered me a bedpan, I told her I could hold it. Then she sat me up and I said "I'm going to be sick." Something goes in the IV to surpress that urge. "Can you get me a toothbrush?" No, but you can have a little water if you would like. Whatever had been down my throat not only left me sore but also tasted like crap. And my personal favorite, "I can't belive you have a Virginia Tech magnet in here." I can't. I'm going to go buy them a UVa magnet so their more discriminating patients don't have to look at a Hokie as soon as they wake up.
I was finally transferred into a chair and allowed to use a real bathroom. Then Mom, Dad and Kristen came back to see me. The nurse went over some instructions, handed out the drugs and we were ready to go.
So far I'm not in terrible pain, though I know it is there, just waiting for me to miss a pill. Instead of making me sleepy, the pain medicine makes me hyper, so I watched lots of late night television from 2 AM on. I finally got a nap from about 9-11:30 this morning. We'll have to figure something out for tonight.
I haven't had to rely on anyone to do anything for me, well, ever. I'm sure I'm going to run Mom ragged because there isn't much I can do for myself. As long as I keep my elbows pinned to my side and don't try to lift my arms, things are ok. I found a pillow too heavy to carry downstairs this morning. I am hoping to be able to take a shower tonight and remove the bandages so I can see exactly what I've gotten myself into.
Kristen did such a good job as guest blogger yesterday, I might have to give her a regular column! I think that's all for today. Sitting here has completely worn me out and I'm ready for another nap!
Yesterday morning got off to a very early start and I was more than ready for a nap by the time surgery finally rolled around. After I registered around 9:45, I was taken to the main hospital for my nuclear medicine injection. I was given three shots with a radio active tracer at the tumor site. I'm not sure exactly how it works, but the doctor would use a geiger counter to determine which lymph node was the "sentinel" by how radioactive it was. I kinda wish I had been awake for that part, because it sounds neat. I had been given a cream to rub on the site that morning and then cover with Saran Wrap; this numbed the skin. Then before each injection, a blast of freeze spray was applied. I didn't feel anything at all during this part, which is wonderful because many women say this was very painful for them. During surgery a blue dye was added to help the doctor see the lymph nodes. I'm still eliminating blue dye and it could be in the skin on my chest, I just can't see it yet under the bandages.
After I was made radioactive, I returned to the surgery center and waited some more. I read some magazines and let Mom beat me at Sequence a few times and then about 11:30, I was called back to change my clothes into the lovely outfit Kristen described last night. Kris kept me company while the nurse started an IV. They gave me some fluids, an anti-inflammatory and an anti-emetic and then I got to wait some more. This period of waiting was the worst of the day because I wasn't exactly comfortable in my hospital gown and reclining on a stretcher. As soon as I saw my doctor, though, I knew things would happen quickly and they did!
Something was added to my IV so "I wouldn't care" and then I was rolled down to the operating room. I remember climbing from the stretcher to the operating table and them beginning to strap my arms out beside me, but I was soon out completely. The next thing I remember is people saying my name, trying to wake me up. I was covered in bandages, so I assume something was done to me during that time. I'm sure I gave the nurses an earful while I was waking up, because the things I remember saying are pretty funny. Who knows what I said that I can't remember. I think the first thing I said was "I need to go to the bathroom." When she offered me a bedpan, I told her I could hold it. Then she sat me up and I said "I'm going to be sick." Something goes in the IV to surpress that urge. "Can you get me a toothbrush?" No, but you can have a little water if you would like. Whatever had been down my throat not only left me sore but also tasted like crap. And my personal favorite, "I can't belive you have a Virginia Tech magnet in here." I can't. I'm going to go buy them a UVa magnet so their more discriminating patients don't have to look at a Hokie as soon as they wake up.
I was finally transferred into a chair and allowed to use a real bathroom. Then Mom, Dad and Kristen came back to see me. The nurse went over some instructions, handed out the drugs and we were ready to go.
So far I'm not in terrible pain, though I know it is there, just waiting for me to miss a pill. Instead of making me sleepy, the pain medicine makes me hyper, so I watched lots of late night television from 2 AM on. I finally got a nap from about 9-11:30 this morning. We'll have to figure something out for tonight.
I haven't had to rely on anyone to do anything for me, well, ever. I'm sure I'm going to run Mom ragged because there isn't much I can do for myself. As long as I keep my elbows pinned to my side and don't try to lift my arms, things are ok. I found a pillow too heavy to carry downstairs this morning. I am hoping to be able to take a shower tonight and remove the bandages so I can see exactly what I've gotten myself into.
Kristen did such a good job as guest blogger yesterday, I might have to give her a regular column! I think that's all for today. Sitting here has completely worn me out and I'm ready for another nap!
Comments
The great awakening! Ann
Love ya!