Medical Update

Sorry that it's been so long since I've updated my blog. A lot has happened. I will post about my daughter's wedding in Las Vegas after this post.

On July 2nd, I met with Dr. Z to go over the surgery. I asked if I would be put completely under and he said yes. I asked if the tube would be put down my throat while I was still awake or after I was out. I told him I had a really sensitive gag reflex and the thought of them trying to do that while I was conscious was freaking me out. He said it was done after I was under mostly because it was easier for them to do it if the patient wasn't actively fighting it. Sounds good to me.

I asked him if I would be aware of things going on while under. He said no. I said that I figured I'd hear him talking to Dr. G (plastic surgeon) about what they did over the weekend. He said that Dr. G would probably be talking to his assistant while he was talking to his. (Trying to get this man to laugh is hard). I told him that I still remember the dream I had while I was under when I was 5 having my tonsils taken out. It was a big hand chasing me. I probably saw the hand holding the mask coming down over my face which made me dream that.

I told Dr. Z earlier about the framed photograph in Dr G's waiting room of the cast of "Marcus Welby, M.D.". Dr Z said "Tell you what. You don't ask Dr. G why he has that picture. I'll ask him during surgery. You tell me after surgery if you heard what we were saying". He then laughed. The bet is on! For what it's worth, I did watch the power point presentation for the hospital on anesthesia and it said in rare cases, patients become aware and can hear what's going on in the operating room. I certainly don't want to be one of those rare cases but it sure would be cool to tell him what I heard.

I had my pre-op testing on Monday, July 13th. All it entailed was an EKG and blood work. They were supposed to do a chest X-ray but because I had had one while in the hospital in May, they decided not to. Bad choice. Dr. Z called the next day and asked why one wasn't done. He told me that the one in May showed "issues" in the bottom of my lungs and he wanted to make sure it was cleared up. He said it was consistent with asthma. I had to go back to the hospital on the 15th to have the x-ray done again. Dr. Z called and said it was still hazy but not enough to worry him. Glad he's not worried. He also told me that he saw the MRI image that I had brought in. It showed a "partial response" to the chemo. He said that the skin showed no involvement and the lymph nodes weren't as involved as they were before. I have to look at this as the glass half full. A partial response is better than no response. Hopefully they'll get rid of everything and the radiation will seal the deal. He talked about doing another CT/Bone Scan after all was done. I really want that to feel better emotionally.

The RN that took the blood work made me really nervous. As many of you know, giving up blood is not something my body likes to do. The RN had some sort of condition that made her hands shake. I couldn't believe that I actually let her take blood from me. She only got a tube and a half and said if they needed more they would take it the day of surgery. I came close to fainting thinking about the needle trying to find the vein while her hands were shaking.

I received a call from the nurse assigned to me through BDHA's insurance, BCBS of North Carolina. I have to say they've been wonderful. She keeps tabs on me and calls every few weeks to see how I'm doing. She's got that great southern accent which reminds me of living in South Texas where everyone was super friendly.

I found out today that I have to be at the hospital on Monday, July 20th at 5:30 a.m. That's not the time of the surgery but when I have to be there. I figure it will start around 2 hours later. It can last anywhere from 3 to 5 hours.

I feel this need to get things in order before I go to the hospital. I have a few items I'd like to give to friends/family "just in case". Plus, since I'm the one that pays the bills and uses the online bill paying service, I need to sit BDHA down and go over how it works. MFS would say I'm being morbid. I'm just being prepared, like a good boy scout! Oh wait..wrong gender.

Anyways, wish me luck. I'm supposed to be home the next day. I'll post as soon as I can. Or maybe I'll have MFD post for me.

My next post will be wedding-related.

-Suesan