August 3, 2011
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Alright lymph node, your time is up!!
Posted by Stephanie 8:30pm CST from the apartment Houston, TX
The date has come. The time is set. Tomorrow is surgery, and that lymph node has no idea that I (and Dr. Swisher) are about to end it’s happy existence. *cracks knuckles and stares menacingly*
Today was full of pre-surgery appointment fun. Anesthesthia was fine–Sammy and I had to rattle off all my past post-surgical cardiac and pain management issues and make sure they’re aware which pain meds work best, etc. I know they have all that information documented, but five and a half years of info is a lot to dig through, so it’s easier just to bring them up to speed….and I feel better spelling it all out so nothing gets missed. We then headed to my pulmonary assessment, where I got to sit in a phone booth (well, it looks like a little phone booth, anyway) and breathe into this giant tube that measures lung function. I always feel totally idiotic in there, with a neon nose clip on, holding my hands against my cheeks and panting like a dog. I don’t know how the technicians giving those tests keep a straight face.
Mom flew in this afternoon (we’re packing this apartment like a can of sardines!), and this evening she, Ang, Sammy and I went to the traditional pre-surgery dinner at Buca di Beppo’s. So. Much. Food. Even hours later I am still beyond stuffed, which is probably good, since I won’t be eating anything for at least a couple of days.
So, now to the important info–surgery time!! I’m first on the docket for Dr. Swisher tomorrow, which means we get to report to the hospital at 5:15am (ouch!). After going through all the pre-surgery procedures and placing the epidural for pain control, they’re looking at getting the surgery started around 7am central time (that’s 8am for all you Ohio people!). That early in the morning, I’m hoping Dr. Swisher has gotten a good night’s sleep, and had a hearty breakfast and a good cup of coffee. I want him bright-eyed and bushy-tailed for this!
It’s probably good that I’m going that early in the morning (despite the wake up call at the sphincter of dawn), because that’s less time I have to go without anything to eat or drink (I can’t have either after midnight). That also means less time to get nervous, although there’s certainly no way to avoid that all together. There’s a four hour block of time allotted for my surgery–it may take more time, it may take less. I’ll obviously be out for all of it (thankfully), but mom, Sammy and Ang will be sitting in the waiting room attempting to pass the time and not focus on what’s going on in the O.R. I certainly don’t envy them having to wait; I know it’s going to be more torturous this time than usual. Anyone who’s praying for me, throw in an extra one for them, that they might have peace.
Okay, I need to take a shower and lather up with the special soap they gave me, then I have to pack my duffel bag for the hospital stay. Oh, but first, let me share some interesting info Sammy discovered this evening. U.S. News and World Report has recently published their list of the top doctors in the nation. Dr. Benjamin (my oncologist), Dr. Swisher (my thoracic surgeon) and Dr. Curley (my liver surgeon) are ALL on that list, and all three of their names are marked with a symbol designating them in the top 1% of their field. How’s that for awesome?! I’m in the very best hands tomorrow, for sure.
Thank you in advance for all the prayers, good thoughts and positive vibes headed our way (keep ‘em coming!). Sammy will be posting updates periodically on here and on Facebook, so keep checking in for information on how things are shaping up. I’m sure it will be a few days before I’m up for posting again, but when I can, I will. Night all!
-Steph
