We were up at 6:00am on May 12th. Everything seemed surreal as I went about my normal routine knowing that when I came back later that day I would be less than comfortable. Actually, I didn't know I was coming home that day.
Part of the procedure was to do a sentinel node biopsy. I would be injected with a radioactive material at the site of the tumor and that material would travel to the lymph nodes. The first one it hits is called the sentiel node. That one would be removed and examined for evidence of cancer cells. The theory goes that any break-away cells would have to go there first, before traveling to the rest of the body. If the node was postive for cancer, more of them would be removed necessitating an overnight stay in the hospital. If the sentinel node was negative, I'd be bandaged up and headed home that afternoon. Just in case, I had packed an overnight back, as suggested, and left it in the car.
I still remember that morning as if it were yesterday. We arrived at Baptist South at 7:30am. I signed in and was called back shortly thereafter. As I changed, Jerry and I joked with one another. It was to be a big morning. First, poked with an IV. Then it was down to radiology where a needle would be placed in each breast at the site of the tumors to act as a guide for Dr. Edwards. Following that would be more mamograms to be sure the needles were in the correct position. Then back to radiology to be injected with the radioactive 'stuff'. Then over to nuclear medicine for more 'pictures' then back upstairs to be prepped for surgery. While in nuclear medicine I remember hearing Dr. Edwards being called over the PA system. I also remember everything being expedited because Dr. Edwards was 'ready'. Apparently he has a great deal of 'pull'. I was sent to the head of the line everywhere I went :-).
I remember being in pain - I remember the radiologist calling me a 'trooper' as he recounted to the technologist what I had been through over the past few weeks. I also remember him telling Jerry he would be allowed to watch these procedures. I also remember him giving instructions about what to do if Jerry felt he was going to pass out :-). "I'll be busy, sir. I won't be able to help you." I couldn't tell if he was serious or saying this a bit tongue in cheek.
I remember the mamography nurse had a pink breast cancer awareness bracelet. I remember her noticing that my gown was wet from the betadine solution and I remember her taking the time to get me a dry one. And I remember the radiology tech holding my hand when she saw me writhe when the needles were being inserted. Sadly, I don't remember their names. But I will never forget those simple gestures that meant so much. Nurses truly are angels of mercy.
As I was being prepped, the anethesiologist came in to say hello (and get his paperwork signed ;-)), the nurses started pumping me full of stuff to keep me from vomiting or worse, and Dr. Edwards came in to assure me that the worst was over. At that point I looked forward to general anesthesia and having the pain go away.
The rest is a blur - Jerry was with me most of the way to the OR. On the way there I remember a little, elderly lady lying alone in a bed in the hallway. As I was rolled by I kept looking at her and she mouthed to me, "good luck." I remember feeling sad for her because she was all alone.
At some point Jerry was moved to the waiting room and I was on my own. In the operating room I remember cold. I started to shiver and a nurse went to get me another blanket as I was moved from my bed to the operating table. I never saw Dr. Valasquez, the anestesiologiest, though I know he was there because I heard him say, "I'm going to start your IV now." That is all. I never saw Dr. Edwards. I don't even remember where I woke up. I remember Jerry was there. I remember shivering. I remember Jerry saying that the nodes were negative --- to use the words Dr. Edwards' said to him, "there wasn't a damned thing in there." Cool.
The nurses could never get my temperature to register. But I wanted to get out of there as quickly as I could so I slowly got off the table to get dressed, started to wobble, and then decided it would be a good idea to sit for a few minutes. Everyone agreed.
It was a sunny afternoon when we drove home. We were greeted by the neightbors telling us that they found the front door open and Strider (our little chihuahua) in the front yard. While I was in the OR, Jerry ran home to let the dogs out and apparenlty, in his haste to make it back so he wouldn't miss the Dr., the door didn't get pulled tight. He doesn't even remember using the front door! I guess we were both experiencing a good deal of anxiety that day.
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