2 days to surgery

Wow, two days to go.
I've had one pre-op appt so far and one to go. I won't get into the whole story around how the plastic surgeon didn't even have me in his calendar for the surgery when I called last week. Let's just say that it is a really good thing that I'm sort of "on the ball" and follow up with people. Yikes.

Some people have been asking what my surgery is going to be. I'm not sure if I have been clear on my blog but I have decided on a bilaterial (both sides) total mastectomy. I have made this decision primarily for the peace of mind. I'm not sure if Doug and I are really prepared for the recovery but I'm sure it will be OK. I was told about an elderly patient who had no one to help her after surgery and when I am well, I'd like to see if I can volunteer to help these people with food, chores, whatever. It is very sad that they are coping on their own.

Part of the mastectomy involves removing lymph nodes (generally in the armpit area) which maintain water and protein balance in the body and aids in preventing infection. With their removal, it could result in swelling of the arm so I have to keep my arms up (across my chest) or up on pillows like armrests until my drains come out, which is about a two week period. And let's hope that they are only in for two weeks. I have also been told that I may feel very sharp pain every once in a while from nerve damage caused by the surgery. I think this is a longer term effect but you'll be hearing on my blog as I recover...

The surgery will last for 3.5 to 5 hours and I will be in the hospital for two nights. The good news is that the Breast Surgery coordinator secured me a private room in the new Hoag hospital tower. There is even a couch that pulls out to a bed for a caregiver to stay over in the room. I'm a little nervous about the surgery still, but I'm trying not to think much about it.

With respect to my back, I saw an orthopedic surgeon on Friday. It is a small world... I told him about having had an orthepedic surgeon when I was young because I was born with club feet. He did his interning in Syracuse in New York and they had a relationship with the Hospital for Sick Kids in Toronto. So when he asked who my orthopedic surgeon was, I said "Dr Rang" and he responded... "Mercer Rang"? Yes! Wow, he knew him. Anyway, he felt that physio would be in order and I need to see him in 5 weeks.

Other news to report... I think my hair is finally growing in. I say "I think" because it is totally peach fuzz right now. I still look totally chemo patient-like and when I think about my friend Val sporting her new hair one week after surgery... well, I am quite a ways behind :-( My fingernails are still sensitive and unfortunately, still raising a bit from the nail bed. I need to be very careful with my fingernails because normal prying to open things is totally off-limits for me. I am keeping them short and hoping that with the chemo over with, they don't get too much worse.

I will keep you all informed of my progress. Maybe I'll get Doug to write a post when I am in the hospital.
Thanks for the support.
Love,
Mo