Kicking Cancer’s Ass: The Surgery
Two days ago, I finally took the first step in treating my breast cancer. I had a lumpectomy to remove the small tumor and one sentinel lymph node. It has been a whirlwind of a couple days, and I wanted to share a bit about the experience.
It started early in the morning, placing a wire in my breast that would guide my surgeon to the exact location of the tumor based on a little tag that was left there when they did my biopsy. They also injected me with radioactive dye that would guide the surgeon to the first lymph node that my right breast drains too - this is the sentinel lymph node. This single lymph node is removed so they can biopsy it and see if any cancer has gone into it, which would be the first likely place it could spread.
Then I headed over to the surgical center where the procedure was. It was the most clockwork and smooth procedure I have ever had. Prepped my at 10am, took me at my exact scheduled time of 11am into the operating room. The anesthesiologist told me he was about to give me some medicine to just make me chill and that is the last thing I remember.
Mark had to drop me off and wasn’t allowed in the waiting room - which I imagine was more nerve-wracking for him than he will admit to me. My surgeon called him as soon as the procedure was done so he could wait in the parking lot for the second call from Recovery.
I woke up just about 1pm. I was greeted by a nurse and pain. She gave me dilaudid and either it stopped the pain or it made me simply not care anymore about the pain. Then I transition to phase 2 of Recovery, got to sit in a chair and eat some Lorna Doone cookies. THE BEST LORNA DOONE COOKIES EVER. It had been 19 hours since I last eaten, may have been why my apple juice and shortbread cookies were utterly amazing.
Got my instructions for post-op care, a prescription, and a wheelchair to take me to my awaiting chariot. Mark was waiting for me at the front door, and at 2:10pm I was home.
Aside from being high as a kite from pain meds for a few more hours, I was overall feeling OK. Wednesday I still felt ok, but my throat hurt. I’m sure that was from being intubated during anesthesia but checked with my doctor. Her PA confirmed it was normal. Today, my joints are sore, especially my shoulder. My right shoulder probably hurts from my arm being held over my head for some of the early morning procedure and probably also during surgery, especially when they removed my lymph node.
I was clenching in anxiety the last couple days, and found that I continually needed to remind myself to unclench my jaw. All that clenching caught up with me today now that I am relaxing more. I can take a little muscle soreness, no problem. I also have totally transitioned to taking Tylenol for any pain, no more Norco. I don’t like prescription pain meds if I can avoid them, so happy to just be taking Tylenol.
I’m giving myself the rest of today to just chill, but I want to be back in the kitchen soon. I have muffins and scones to make for Pastry school and I am very much looking forward to that. Baking has been my happy place, and one way I relieve anxiety. So it will feel very good to make some treats again soon.
I am restricted from using my right arm for any lifting over 5 pounds, so also no major pushing like kneading bread for a few weeks. Within a few days I should have my pathology results that will determine if they got all the cancer and if any of it travelled to my lymph node. Assuming that is all clear, I will start radiation in 4 weeks. If not clear, I may need some additional treatment. But that will be settled by mid-next week, I hope!
Sore muscles and sore throat are really nothing I can complain about considering what a huge step this is for me. A good friend pointed out trading cancer for a sore throat is a great deal. I will take that deal any day of the week!
More to come, but I am happy to finally be taking action and start kicking cancer’s ass!
Yours in Cancer Ass-kicking,
