What a day! Long and not all that exciting until about 2:15 when I got the call from on of the OR nurses that it was going to take longer because they were yanking out more than they thought they would have to. That was when it turned into a different kind of day.
Prior to that call, everything was going really well. The mapping was not a big deal (they weren’t poking my body with giant needles but Loretta seemed to be taking it okay). It showed two sentinel nodes that would be clipped out for biopsy. Then we had to wait – but really only for about an hour. Stuff started to happen around 11:30 when anesthesia showed up, the prep nurse, the surgeon… the resident and her shadow the med student, the Professor and Maryanne. Everyone. It was the resident that clued us in on the fact that there was a cancellation and we were next. At about 12 they took her away for a two hour tour procedure.
Then the call at 2:15. That was when they said that it was going to be all the axillary nodes and that they hadn’t started until just before 1 and they needed another 1.5 hours. (Question: when do these people eat lunch? It isn’t like they can eat at their desks while they continue to work.)
At about 4:00 the surgeon came out and verified that they had removed all the nodes and that 6 of 7 were cancerous. About 5:15 I was finally able to see Loretta in “recovery”. She knew and was not happy. Mostly she wasn’t happy because she felt like she had let people down and she was a little scared.
About 6:00 we were wheeled up to the fourth floor all the way across campus into a private room with a nurse that is happy to use her elbow on Loretta’s back which is still hurting her (not related to the cancer or operation). She is having dinner which is tasting good and behaving well. I will spend the night with her and all her new nurse/doctor friends.
Tomorrow, she gets to go home after she demonstrates that she can keep down breakfast, do things in the bathroom, and manage her pain. I expect to be taking her home mid morning. Sorry, I don’t have any more Gilligan’s Island references. Maybe I’ll be better tomorrow.
A big THANK YOU to everyone who has written comments. I read them to Loretta (and she will soon read them herself and they mean so much to both of us.
If u guys need ANYTHING we will do our best to help even though we’re down south. Get some rest!
Loretta,
Stay focussed (but allow yourself a really good cry… or two… or three). You WILL beat this!
Scott,
Stay rested and strong for our girl. And you get out a really good cry too. You’ve earned it!
Love Love Love to you both!!
Sounds like a long day. I’m rooting for you to keep your breakfast down and to go home soon.
Damn, what a day. Sleep well, my friend. Hugs, love, and healing thoughts coming your way. And no more surprises, okay? xoxox
Sweet Dreams!!! LOVE you guys!!! Scott, you’ve done an awesome job keeping us informed, I am so appreciative!!! 😀 Good Night. Hope you both get some sleep!!! 😀
I love you guys!
Holding you in the light. Thank you for keeping us posted, Scott.
Once when I was in the hospital, the nurses wouldn’t let me go home until I passed gas. I’ll tell you this much: I was outta there in a flash. 🙂
From all of us in the Czerlinsky group, we love you. You’ve got this, girl.
Scott, you are a prince for taking such good care of our girl, and keeping all of us informed. So now there’s a plan. You have a whole army of friends and family rooting for you, don’t hesitate to ask for help. Love, Susan
Keeping Loretta and the whole family wrapped in prayer. Keep that sense of humor Scott. Thank you for the informative posts.
I don’t know about when they eat, but I’ve always suspected they wear adult diapers under those baggy scrubs.
To accomplish great things, we must not only act, but also dream; not only plan, but also believe.
—Anatole France