Day 435: Post-op update

I was whisked in to surgery at about 9.30a by a lovely woman called Maureen. She passed me over to a very efficient nurse who prepped things outside of the operating theatre. Dr. Jacques, the anaesthetist whose invoice I was asked to pay over the phone on Tuesday, introduced himself and got to work. He as initially going to put the cannula in my hand but found a vein elsewhere after my pleading. I reiterated my history of nausea post-op ("I am a recidivist chucker" is what I actually said) and asked if he could do his best to prevent it.

Out came Dr. Andrew who took photos, drew all over my right breast and asked if I had questions. Since I did not, I was wheeled in to theatre at 9.45a and asked to wiggle onto the bed. Dr. Jacques popped around to my side and said that he was giving me a glass of champagne to relax as he put a sedative into my cannula. Then it was lights out.

I was wheeled into recovery at 11.50a and came to very slowly. They'd put some Vaseline-type goop on my eyes in theatre which made waking up very strange. The man next to me was snoring very loudly so that helped me wake up.

I had a bit over an hour in recovery and got into my room about 1.15p to find Nick waiting.  I was a bit loopy and tired so dozed for a bit while he went to get lunch. Shortly thereafter the nurse came and helped me change into my own PJs as I was feeling remarkably well. I was hungry so ate 2 pieces of toast and had a cup of tea plus 2 biscuits - and I kept it all down! I haven't needed too much pain relief yet. We passed the afternoon chatting with Ruth, who arrived about 3p. We all noted the intense swelling in my arm around the elbow, which is my "problem area".  I changed my garments as the set I wore into theatre were stained with iodine. Nick left about 5p and Trent popped in about 6p for about 45 minutes before they left for dinner.

I enjoyed the alone time, watching the news and returning messages. I had some time to think about the results of the urine sample I did after eating when my wee was blood orange colour. As it was light orange yesterday, I mentioned it to the nurse so we did a sample. She came back telling me that it showed a high level of glucose, so we did a prick test. My glucose level was 12 (average is 4-8) and my lovely nurse, who is diabetic, measured 10.5. Apparently a high glucose level doesn't change the colour of one's wee. She told me not to worry, but just poked her head in and suggested I test it again tomorrow. Hmmmm.

It's 9.30p and it's been a big day. I'm going to drug up (via the button I press to get "pain relief" AKA fentanyl) and head off to sleep. Good night.

Day 435: Next up

It's 9.05a and I'm gowned up and ready to go. Apparently I'm next up. It's all been very quick which is good for my mental state.

I had a lovely cuddle with Remie before showering, and Alex gave me Scruffy McDogson and his luggage (ID tag says "scruffymcdogson@dogmail.com.au). Chris picked me up at 7.15a to drive me and I had a lovely tour of the jacarandas on the way in.

At reception I said I was here to check in for my trip and asked if I could get an upgrade as I have quite a few frequent flyer miles. After I finished the admission paperwork, my "escort" came for me, saying she was taking me to the first class lounge. We went up to the surgery admissions area, where we waited for a bit then went through to do paperwork and get gowned up. Chris and I chatted, took photos and she packed up all my stuff.

Someone in surgical garb has just come in to do paperwork.  I'll report more post-op.

Day 434: 'Twas the night before reconstruction

I have to be at the hospital at 8.30a tomorrow for an approximate 10.30a surgery. It should take about 2 hours then I'll be in lala land. I'm packed and ready for Chris to pick me up at 7.15a. She rang this afternoon to say good luck and insisted on driving me when I said I was taking a taxi.

I'm really looking forward to getting my expander out. I hope Dr. Andrew can go directly to implant on the right side but we'll know tomorrow. At least this surgery won't have any of the worry of last year in terms of what might be discovered.

I went to the gym this morning and worked hard as I figure I'll be drugged up tomorrow so won't feel any soreness. One of the girls from the gym rang me tonight to wish me well for tomorrow which was lovely as she'd has to ask Phil, the owner, for my number. People can be so kind.

Day 432: The effects of heat

It appears that the heat has a direct impact on the swelling of my arm. It is bigger today and was as well yesterday after the 34 degree C (100F) heat on Saturday. I also went to the gym this morning and, as it is lacking aircon, I got pretty hot.

With both of those events I broke Rule #1 of "Avoiding Swelling Resulting from Lymphoedema": Minimise the production of extra lymphatic fluid. Oops. It will be interesting to note how long it takes to go down.

My "problem area" is the under part of my forearm - the place to where fluid goes as a result of gravity when  I am sitting. I'm trying to get at least weekly laser treatments to try to break up the fibrotic tissue which would improve my fluid flow. I feel lucky that I have the means to do this as it's not covered by public or private health care.

I'm getting ready for my 5 days of breakfast in bed. It's strange to think that this next phase is soon underway.

Day 431: Questioning my next steps

We spent the weekend in Melbourne with Nick's family. It was great to catch up with the clan, including 92 year old Giddy and 1 year old Xavier. Nanna and Poppa stayed with us for the first few nights which was especially great for the kids. The visit was too short but it will just have to happen again before another year+ goes by.

My arm was none the worse after the flights but definitely suffered in the 34 degree heat on Saturday. I can guess that the summer heat I have always loved may be my nemesis this year. So sad.  Perhaps now is the time for skiing in Colorado in January.

Now that it's Only 4more sleeps until my surgery, I'm having a few questioning thoughts about whether I'm doing the right thing. Removing my other breast is not medically necessary and things can go wrong. Given that it's my fifth major surgery, I'm just hoping I recover as well as with the others. I actually thought of it like flying, but I digress.  I just have to remember that I'm in good hands and am doing this primarily for preventative reasons.

Day 426: More lymphoedema improvement

After getting the kids off to school and doing my 45 minutes of yoga practice at home, I headed to the Mater for this week's seminar on lymphoedema.  I am now attending these weekly groups as both a peer volunteer and a patient. This one was particularly interesting given my current condition.  Dr. Theresa was an excellent presenter and made the information really accessible.

I was asked by one of the women currently going through chemo about my experience with the cold cap.  I told her that I was happy I'd done it but could understand her issues with the discomfort and pain.  The group moderator helped out by sharing her findings that it's a personal decision.

After a quick lunch with Ruth, I headed back to the hospital for my physio appointment with Carol.  She took my L-Dex (the measure of the amount of fluid in my arm) which was down to 38.5, nearly half of what it was back in August (normal is under 10).  At least it's moving in the right direction, which keeps me motivated to continue wearing my compression garments.  She also "lasered the hell" out of the fibrotic (hard) areas in order to break them up and increase lymph flow. As she said it's probably one of the best things for the fibrosis, I've booked in weekly for the next month.  It won't be cheap so fingers crossed it helps.

Day 425: Cancer is no longer the focus

I remember people telling me that at some point, likely without me realising it, cancer would gradually stop being the focus of my life. I think I've nearly arrived there.

Apologies for the radio silence; I've been so busy catching up on things and living life that I've opted for sleep over writing. In the past 2 months, we've had both kids' birthdays, I'm attempting to de-clutter from the past year+ of dumping things and we're heading to Melbourne this weekend to see Nick's family for the first time in over a year. I did 2 ocean swims last week, the first in about 2 years. Very exciting!  The kids' schedules for the final term are manic and keeping on top of it all in is constant. Finally, I'm trying to get ahead of the curve with Christmas only 7ish weeks away.

This is all about to change, at least temporarily, when I go into the hospital in 9 days. I will again be a cancer patient, but at least this time my stay is for cosmetic purposes.  Ok, I have also had my daily reminder of my cancer as I wear my lymphoedema compression garments and get treatment ( either laser or massage) every other week. And sure, my hair is short, but I love it. I am looking forward to getting through this step of reconstruction and resuming the path to moving cancer to the sidelines.