SURGERY DAY (reported by Jessica, Jason, Jay and a groggy Dee)
Mom and Dad got to the hospital at 6 a.m. for all the prep work necessary for her lumpectomy. All of that took them up to 9:30 or so when Jason and I were finally able to see her. We were hopeful and in pretty good spirits as we waited another hour before her surgeon, Dr. Piazza, and the anesthesiologist came. Then they wheeled her off, away from all three of us, for surgery at 10:45. The hope was that the surgery would be about an hour and that she'd be in recovery for another hour and then be able to go home later tonight.
Unfortunately, the surgery took longer than expected and wasn't what we had hoped for. Cancer cells were found in one of her sentinal lymph nodes (the first ones off of the breast - the surgeon removes these and sends them to pathology before beginning the lumpectomy to check to see if the cancer has spread). That meant that the rest of her lymph nodes on that side had to also be removed, which extended the surgery. She will now be in the hospital at least overnight and perhaps for two nights.
All the lymph nodes and the tumor are now in pathology for testing. (Note: The surgeon was surprised that the sentinal node had cancer cells because her tumor was so small.) We'll know more Tuesday when mom and dad meet with Dr. Piazza. Worst case is that mom will be back for a mastectomy next week. Either way, I think she is prepared to do whatever it takes to fight this cancer and we are prepared to do whatever she needs to support her in her fight.
The good news is that she is comfortable, except for her hot flashes. But we are getting Dad a large palm leaf so that he can fan her and feed her grapes and chocolates.
We thank you all so much for your support.
About Me
- Dee
- Naperville, Illinois, United States
- Wife, mother, grandmother, aunt, sister, in-law, cousin, friend, gardner, golfer, animal and nature enthusiast.
2 comments:
So glad to hear that you are resting comfortably after your surgery. As you know, you and I are on the same journey right now, with very similiar situations, how ironic! I hope that you receive good news from your pathology report, every bit of good news is rest assuring at this point. Thank you for keeping my family in your thoughts and prayers. You are in ours as well.
Robyn Sorlien, Cousin Margie's daughter
Good day to you, Karen and I are checking your progress and see that you are still in the hospital.Sorry you had to be there but if I remember from Robyns surgery we were wishing she could have stayed in for a day anyway. Robyn had cancer in the sentinal node to and we played the waiting game again with that. Hers came back with no cancer in the other 12 nodes they took out.We will be praying for that same outcome for you.I will call you Sunday night and if you don't want to talk that is ok.We will talk as soon as you feel better. Robyn took the perciset for two days and had advil after that. She was looney on that stuff. She really bounced back after she got off it. Two BIG hugs are being sent through the air waves from Karen and Margaret.
Love and hugs, Margaret and Karen
Post a Comment