After Surgery

Well, it has been almost a week since my surgery. Last Friday my surgeon removed my Thyroid and two Lymphoids. Yes this was my first major surgery, only wisdom teeth removed in my early twenties.

I was getting very nervous as the moment arrived. My mom and husband, Bill, were there for me the whole time. In pre-op I was so hungry from fasting all I could think of was all the food that I wasn't going to be eating over the weekend with surgery on my neck. In pre-op I was asked questions and set up with the IV, OUCH, that is not the most comfy thing. The last time I remember having one was when I was in the Hospital giving birth. I don't know why I don't remember what the IV felt like, it's not like I was focused on something else or anything.

As the surgery time crept closer the Surgeon & Anesthesiologist came in and talked to me and prep me further. General anesthesia, um WOW, that is some bazaar feeling. I remember being wheeled into the surgery room, moving over onto the surgery table, and seeing my surgeon smiling down at me..... Then I sort of woke up in the post op room feeling trapped and scared. That was not fun, that really pretty much was hellish. I was groggy, very groggy, could not stay awake, I could barely focus...basically it felt like I was in a cloud or a dream. The next memory was of me being wheeled into my hospital room with my Mom and Bill happy to see me and talking to me, as I am trying to be awake and failing miserably. I felt like crap..The nurse asked me how I felt on a scale of 1 to 10, 10 being extreme pain. I said basically the 1st number in my head, 8. In reality is more likely a 6, but whatever I was not all there at the moment. Well, she did her job and I got a whole lot of morphine to ease the level 8 pain. Yikes, between the general anesthesia wearing off and the morphine kicking in I felt loopy and nauseas. Oh, and in this mix Dinner arrived! Bill was doing a fabulous job trying his best to get me to eat my clear liquid dinner, but I was not to cooperative. I also talked to my daughter on the phone during this confusion phase and managed to sound alert and awake, bazaar!

Then there was the 1st trip to the potty! I didn't know if I could make it to the bathroom, but was willing to try. The nurse helped me get up out of bed and I wasn't going to make it..Nausia kicked in..um out. So, I ended up using the bedside commode, it was interesting. But soon after Mom and Bill left to let me sleep for the night I was feeling much better and the trip to the toilet got easier and easier.

I was released for home the next morning, hurray! My mom arrived to visit and I was getting the exit papers all at the same time!!! I was slow moving, but not in any real pain, my neck just felt very sore. I haven’t really needed the painkillers, which is a nice feeling. Everyday I have more mobility in my neck, but still I get tired quickly and am slow to wake up in the AM. Today I feel really well, but my bandage is driving me nuts. It itches like crazy. My daughter, Charisma, thinks it looks kind of gross, but she seems pretty used to it now.

My next step: I am just waiting to here my results on the Lymphoids they removed and sent for tests to see if the cancer spread. If it did, then I will need the Radiation Iodine. It is administered via IV.

Today..

Much to my sister's love of "The Blog" here I am finally joining the band wagon.

Last week I was diagnosed with Papillary Thyroid Cancer. My reaction: "Weird, I have cancer." I have been extremely calm about this whole cancer thing. It was caught very early at 1 cm. Surgery should be all I need (I have my appointment with the surgeon Wednesday). And a pill the rest of my life to replace the function of the thyroid. OK, that is simple, telling my family not so simple. I didn't want to mention the word cancer, it is an evil word that tends to freak people out. But I called my brother Martin first then my Mom. My mom called the other two to let them know. Everyone called me to get more info and let me know they are here for me. Thank You!!

I have noticed that I have been starting to get more testy about stupid things. I am getting nervous about the surgery. I want all my questions answered now, I don't want to wait until Wednesday! Ahhhhh!! But still, I am only nervous.

It was a little awkward telling my boss at work. I punched in a stood at the office doorway waiting for her to finish a phone call. I never do that to her, so when she hung up and I said "I have some interesting news for you." Poor thing thought I was quiting! I continued by first mentioning not to worry I wasn't quiting, but I had my results of a biopsy on my thyroid and explained everything very matter of fact. Everyone at work is concerned and most let me know if I needed anything to let them know. I do work with a great bunch of people. I hope I won't be out long.

My husband, Bill, has been great making sure I am OK and have all the information I need. He thinks it is strange that my reaction to having cancer was pretty much the same as when I realized I have bunions on my feet. Hey, why do I need to freak out when there is someone else in the world getting diagnosed with a limit on there life. I am lucky, I have a cancer that was found early and is very treatable. It doesn't make having surgery less stressful, but it could be worse, I am not going anywhere!