TLDR: Surgery went well, and I won't need radiation :-)
TLDR: Surgery went well, and I won't need radiation :-)
Surgery was Tuesday morning, brought to you by the lovely Lydia Hernandez, MD. I was through ultrasound, marked up, and sedated by 9 am. I'm amused that once they start the sedation you are no longer (legally) competent, and the medical personnel only talk to you to reassure you; any real information goes to your family. Ha.
I was out the out the door by Tuesday afternoon, feeling pretty good and set up with a pain ball. I recommend one if you have a choice. Basically, a ball of topical anesthetic connected to a long catheter that delivers the medicine directly to the site of surgery/pain, in my case between my skin and muscle in the chest. The idea is to limit the amount of narcotics required to control pain, and it has done that well.
I was up and moving around Wednesday, and yesterday (Thursday) had a short, but lovely walk outside. I plan to repeat this as much as possible. My brain is a little slow, but picking up. And, unlike chemo, every day is a little better. It helps that my wonderful husband is here to keep me fed, make sure I don't overdo it, and generally take care of me. I also have all sorts of amazing "little" things people have given me, that I didn't know I would need or want, and that have made life way easier and tastier: arm pillows, neck pillow, seatbelt pillow (all the pillows), giant water cup (Tervis), food in general, all the fruit, and, last, but certainly not least, all the words of wisdom and support!
And! The pathology came back yesterday as well, and the lymph nodes are clear, no radiation recommended. I didn't quite realize how that was hanging over my head until it wasn't. Woohoo! And phew. And woohoo! (again).
Surgery was Tuesday morning, brought to you by the lovely Lydia Hernandez, MD. I was through ultrasound, marked up, and sedated by 9 am. I'm amused that once they start the sedation you are no longer (legally) competent, and the medical personnel only talk to you to reassure you; any real information goes to your family. Ha.
I was out the out the door by Tuesday afternoon, feeling pretty good and set up with a pain ball. I recommend one if you have a choice. Basically, a ball of topical anesthetic connected to a long catheter that delivers the medicine directly to the site of surgery/pain, in my case between my skin and muscle in the chest. The idea is to limit the amount of narcotics required to control pain, and it has done that well.
I was up and moving around Wednesday, and yesterday (Thursday) had a short, but lovely walk outside. I plan to repeat this as much as possible. My brain is a little slow, but picking up. And, unlike chemo, every day is a little better. It helps that my wonderful husband is here to keep me fed, make sure I don't overdo it, and generally take care of me. I also have all sorts of amazing "little" things people have given me, that I didn't know I would need or want, and that have made life way easier and tastier: arm pillows, neck pillow, seatbelt pillow (all the pillows), giant water cup (Tervis), food in general, all the fruit, and, last, but certainly not least, all the words of wisdom and support!
And! The pathology came back yesterday as well, and the lymph nodes are clear, no radiation recommended. I didn't quite realize how that was hanging over my head until it wasn't. Woohoo! And phew. And woohoo! (again).
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P.S. CANCER SUCKS