Surgery Details

I'm up and getting around so I thought I should give you an update on the last few days.

Monday's evening goal was to keep my mind from thinking about having surgery and just have some fun. With my family this is easily accomplished. Katie had been wanting to play Texas Hold'Em for weeks so we decided to have our poker night on Monday. It has been so long since I played that I needed a little refreshing. They decided I would be the dealer (only because Matt and Katie haven't learned how to shuffle), and then they accused me of cheating. I was beating them terribly and bluffing really good. I had short sleeves on so instead of accusing me of holding cards up my sleeves they kept saying I was holding cards in my scarf. Katelynn kept cracking us up as we would anti-up and only get one card dealt, and she would call "check." Then she changed it to "check-it o-u-t." And then...talk about cheating...I kept catching her take my chips. There were many jokes and giggling. The objective of having fun was achieved.

Before we went to bed we prayed together as a family. Jim specifically prayed that I would be filled with courage. I asked him later on if he had read my blog that I wrote on Monday and he said, "No." I told him how that was exactly what I wrote about. I just thought that was pretty special.

Tuesday morning we got up early to make sure Matt was ready to go camping, and make sure Katie was ready for school. Our family friend, Erika (who we've know since the day she was born and is now all grown up, and attending Penn State - she goes back on Friday), came to take Matt to the church for his camping trip and then take Katelynn to school. She's more like an older sister to them both. She allowed me to go to the hospital in peace knowing my kids were in good hands.

We did get to the hospital about 15 minutes late. You would have thought I actually had "ants in my pants" and I was so fidgety. Normally, once you register, a nurse comes and gets you in less than 15 minutes. We sat there for 45 minutes. I finally went and informed the registration clerk that we had been waiting so long. Five minutes later Dawn (one of my angels) called me to come back to the outpatient surgery area. I was greeted with a big hug. Shortly, my doctor came to see me. He wanted to see the port and called the other surgeon to make sure everyone agreed it should come out - they did. I was doing very well emotionally (trying to be courageous) until my IV was placed in my arm. The first time wasn't successful and I instantly started to feel like I could black out.

Dawn felt so bad. She had me lay flat and got a wet cloth to put on my forehead. I've never had that happen before. It made Dawn so nervous that she had another nurse come over and place the IV in my arm. The second time was successful (the first try gave me a nasty bruise though). I saw the IV was flowing extremely fast, so I asked them to slow it down so I wouldn't have to go to the bathroom too many times before surgery. Both nurses started to laugh. They said no one had ever requested that before. I guess because of all my IV's at the cancer center I realize how the flow of the meds and/or fluids effect me. Dawn said she couldn't wait to share with Cheryl Beal that I was instructing the nurses on how to handle the IV. Well, at least it worked.

The surgery was delayed an hour. The surgery scheduled before mine was delayed due to an accident on the freeway that the doctor got stuck in. Why does freeway accidents always effect my surgeries? Too strange. I met with my anesthesiologist and my surgery nurse Cheryl (another of my angels - she has been with me on each of my surgeries). Cheryl saw me and gave me a big hug and kiss on top of my head. She confirmed with me everything that they were going to do. Before she rolled me into the surgery room Jim prayed for me together with Dawn and Cheryl. I was disappointed that the anesthesiologist didn't give me anything to relax me before being taken into the surgery room. I was completely awake as they prepped me for surgery. I told Cheryl it was making me very nervous seeing all the lights and equipment. I was already on the table and Cheryl was strapping my arms down before the anesthesiologist came in to give me my "happy" juice. The last thing I remember was seeing my doctor standing next to me and asking, "What are you doing here?" I've never been awake before the doctor has come in. The anesthesiologist told me to think of place I wanted to go. Before I could even think about it I was out.

The only thing I remember in recovery is that I told them I was nauseated and in a lot of pain. I don't even remember opening up my eyes. In my past surgeries I've been awake before they have transported me back to the outpatient recovery section. I remember them trying to wake me up, but I felt like I was so deep that I would never come out of it. I think my anesthesiologist was trying to send me to a place I've never been before - heaven (smile). When I finally began waking up I asked Jim if he could prop my head up. I thought it would help me to wake up faster and it did. Dawn kept coming in and checking on me. She told me that Cheryl Beal had called from her vacation to see how I was doing. I thought that was so sweet of her.

I told my nurse, Carol, that I was in so much pain I wasn't sure if I could get dressed. She decided to give me something more for the pain. She gave me some crackers to eat before taking the medicine. Yes, I'm back to eating crackers again. I'll make sure Jim uses a vacuum on me before I see the doctor. It took about another half hour and I was able to get dressed. I just wanted to get home.

We arrived home a little before 3:00 pm. It was perfect timing. Jim got me settled in my chair, and then he went to pick up Katelynn from school. We never anticipated that we would get home so late. I remember Katie coming home and that's about it. I was awake but really out of it at the same time. I was able to get some rest. Every time though I would finally fall asleep the alarm would go off for me to take my medication. I felt so bad for Jim. He got very little rest Tuesday night.

Yesterday, was better. I was able to sleep. Honestly, it's the only thing I can do. We had planned on watching the stars once the sun went down. We knew there was a meteor shower that was actually going on during the day and we were hoping there would still be some more in the evening. I wasn't very comfortable so I only stayed out there for 20 minutes, but I did get to see two really long shooting stars. As I sat there last night I was just in wonder of the stars. For years and years they have been in the same location. It just amazes me.

My pain is lessening (yeah - thanks for your prayers), so I didn't set my alarm last night to take my medication. I just allowed my body to wake up and then I would take something for pain. This way I wouldn't wake up Jim. He was going back to work today, and I wanted him to be rested. He drives so much for work that it concerns me if he hasn't slept well. We both were able to get a good nights sleep.

Well, one more thing has been accomplished. Now, it's just time for rest and recovery until the next big thing - radiation. I've heard over and over that radiation is nothing compared to chemo. So, I'm trusting in their knowledge. Both the plastic surgeon and the radiation oncologist have agreed that I will have a four week wait until radiation starts to allow the incision to heal.

This morning my devotional was on Psalm 31:14, 15 - "But as for me, I trust in You, O LORD, I say, "You are my God." My times are in your hands." This really says it all for me. I continue to have a heart of thankfulness, knowing He is faithful.

I continue to feel so blessed, during this difficult time, with the love, support, and encouragement I have received from my family, friends, and even from people I don't even know. You have been amazing. I thank you from the depths of my heart.