Yesterday was the day of my surgery to place the Port in my chest. The last thing I needed to do to prepare for Chemotherapy to start this Friday.
As per my track record, I got there at 10:00 a.m. for an 11:30 a.m. surgery and they didn't take me in until 1:30 - LOL !! Something about the operating room was running behind.....
I know have another incision in my chest - I'm beginning to think my upper torso can become a game of connect the dots/incisions. This surgery has a 1-1/2 inch incision on my chest where the port is actually placed and a 3/4 inch incision in my neck (not exactly sure why that was needed). I noticed today significant bruising is beginning. I shouldn't be surprised because it is quite sore on my chest and the neck area is actually painful. Probably alot of poking and prodding during surgery.
This week was not all bad - my baby brother Nick was in town for his job so Maria and I were able to see him and have dinner with him on Monday. And next week, Albert will be back in town for his job so we will get to see him. Now, if we could just get all 4 of us in the same town at the same time.
So the next two days will be recuperating from yesterday - hopefully the pain/soreness will lessen before they have to use the port on Friday to hook me up. From what the tell me, Friday will be a 4-6 hour day so I may post while there - or at least afterwards.
Showing posts with label Surgery. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Surgery. Show all posts
Wednesday, July 9, 2014
Thursday, June 12, 2014
Home!
Well, I've been home since Friday, June 6, 2014 but it has been such a rough 2 weeks that it has taken me this long to write a post that made sense.
The surgery was much more involved than they initially thought. The end result was that they took approx. 90% of my left lung and lymph nodes. There were two tumors. One in the upper lobe and one in the lower lobe. According to the surgeon, they could not take the lobes completely as I would not have any quality of life afterwards so there was a "meeting" while I laid on the table with several of my doctors and it was decided to remove the entire upper lobe and 90 % of the lower lobe.
The surgery was 7 hours in length. I was in ICU from Tuesday to Thursday night. I then spent another 8 days on the regular floor while each day they attempted to remove the chest tube which was unsuccessful. Eventually, I was sent home with a chest tube which I still have. I would have to say at this point the chest tube is the most painful as it is placed between two ribs. Tomorrow I have a doctor's appointment and I hope to have it removed then.
While I was in the hospital, my chemo doctor came and visited and briefly discussed what happens now. After a complete surgical recovery, approx. 2 to 3 months, I will begin chemotherapy. It will last approx. 6 months, then another 6 months of maintenance therapy. They have scheduled a visit with him for June 24 for him to go over my pathology reports, tumor reports, etc. so he can discuss the type, length and intensity of chemo.
Tomorrow will be one week since I came home and while I have the chest tube I am not allowed to stay home alone. So I have what I call my "babysitters." My niece, Michelle and two daughters, Maria and Caitlyn have taken care of me during the day and my sister Maria on weekends and nights. I don't even know what I would have done without them. While I sleep 20 hours a day from the meds, just knowing they are here is a blessing. I don't move very fast. Just to get out of the recliner and get a sip of water takes about 20 minutes - UGH!!
Some of the amazing things to me are how much my taste buds have changed. The first week I hardly ate at all - nothing. Now, I eat but nothing taste like it should. I have not had a cup of coffee in weeks. Those who know me know that is a miracle. The smell turns my stomach so I am drinking tea.
I am also very swollen. The nurses said that may take some time to go away. I have oxygen at home which I have to wear when sleeping. It seems my blood oxygen level drops significantly when sleeping since surgery. And when walking I have to wear it as well.
It's been a hell of a 2-1/2 week period. I'm sure as time passes I will remember more but for now I am just trying to get thru each day.
The surgery was much more involved than they initially thought. The end result was that they took approx. 90% of my left lung and lymph nodes. There were two tumors. One in the upper lobe and one in the lower lobe. According to the surgeon, they could not take the lobes completely as I would not have any quality of life afterwards so there was a "meeting" while I laid on the table with several of my doctors and it was decided to remove the entire upper lobe and 90 % of the lower lobe.
The surgery was 7 hours in length. I was in ICU from Tuesday to Thursday night. I then spent another 8 days on the regular floor while each day they attempted to remove the chest tube which was unsuccessful. Eventually, I was sent home with a chest tube which I still have. I would have to say at this point the chest tube is the most painful as it is placed between two ribs. Tomorrow I have a doctor's appointment and I hope to have it removed then.
While I was in the hospital, my chemo doctor came and visited and briefly discussed what happens now. After a complete surgical recovery, approx. 2 to 3 months, I will begin chemotherapy. It will last approx. 6 months, then another 6 months of maintenance therapy. They have scheduled a visit with him for June 24 for him to go over my pathology reports, tumor reports, etc. so he can discuss the type, length and intensity of chemo.
Tomorrow will be one week since I came home and while I have the chest tube I am not allowed to stay home alone. So I have what I call my "babysitters." My niece, Michelle and two daughters, Maria and Caitlyn have taken care of me during the day and my sister Maria on weekends and nights. I don't even know what I would have done without them. While I sleep 20 hours a day from the meds, just knowing they are here is a blessing. I don't move very fast. Just to get out of the recliner and get a sip of water takes about 20 minutes - UGH!!
Some of the amazing things to me are how much my taste buds have changed. The first week I hardly ate at all - nothing. Now, I eat but nothing taste like it should. I have not had a cup of coffee in weeks. Those who know me know that is a miracle. The smell turns my stomach so I am drinking tea.
I am also very swollen. The nurses said that may take some time to go away. I have oxygen at home which I have to wear when sleeping. It seems my blood oxygen level drops significantly when sleeping since surgery. And when walking I have to wear it as well.
It's been a hell of a 2-1/2 week period. I'm sure as time passes I will remember more but for now I am just trying to get thru each day.
Tuesday, May 27, 2014
New Chapter Begins Today
6:30 a.m. and I am about to start getting ready to head to the hospital. I have to arrive at 9:00 a.m. and surgery is scheduled for 10:30 a.m.
There wasn't much sleeping going on here overnight. I would fall asleep for about 15 minutes and wake up abruptly and then about an hour later fall asleep for another 15 minutes and repeat and repeat. I'm not surprised nor am I tired because I anticipate sleeping through the next few days.
I will have my cell phone with me and hope to post a "hello" as soon as the meds wear off enough to see what I type :) In the meantime, if you want to check in, message my sister Maria or my son Gregory on Facebook and they will give you an update. I still don't really know how long I will be in the hospital. Various nurses have told me 3 or 4 days up to 7 to 10 days. What I do know is that it depends on how long I have to keep the chest tubes in.
Even though the last few months have been stressful I truly believe today begins a totally new chapter in my life. Actually, a new book. No matter what the future holds I know in my heart things will never be the same.
P.S. I hear John Travolta is in town filming a movie so if you see him, feel free to send him my way to visit me :)
There wasn't much sleeping going on here overnight. I would fall asleep for about 15 minutes and wake up abruptly and then about an hour later fall asleep for another 15 minutes and repeat and repeat. I'm not surprised nor am I tired because I anticipate sleeping through the next few days.
I will have my cell phone with me and hope to post a "hello" as soon as the meds wear off enough to see what I type :) In the meantime, if you want to check in, message my sister Maria or my son Gregory on Facebook and they will give you an update. I still don't really know how long I will be in the hospital. Various nurses have told me 3 or 4 days up to 7 to 10 days. What I do know is that it depends on how long I have to keep the chest tubes in.
Even though the last few months have been stressful I truly believe today begins a totally new chapter in my life. Actually, a new book. No matter what the future holds I know in my heart things will never be the same.
P.S. I hear John Travolta is in town filming a movie so if you see him, feel free to send him my way to visit me :)
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