Surgery went well

I know many of you are wondering how I am doing and the details of my surgical adventure yesterday.  First off, all is really good.  visibly ugly but good.

Loretta the Lump.  See the droop right above my pupil?

Yesterday my report time to the hospital was 8:15.  Mom came into town the  night before and we were ready to go in the morning.  We got there just in time.  It was really nice to not be super early.  As you know, I am not a morning person.  Let me stop for a moment and express how much I love the newer Intermountain Medical Center  hospital.  And on the way in, we just so happened to run into Dr. C, my radiologist.  He knew who I was and felt the lump.  He said he would have radiated without concern but I told him Dr. L wanted pathology to know what my lymphoma is doing.  One thing he did confirm for me that was concerning me is I shouldn't have any issues with the suture and wound healing with the recent radiation.  That was good to know and answered a big question.

So at IMC, you get your own private room as you wait for surgery.  They do it all in there.  There are lockers to put your stuff.  A comfy recliner (chemo) chair and even a TV.  We were scheduled to go into the operating room at 9:35 but I guess the prior surgery took longer and we didn't go in until 11:00!!  I admit, I was starving and getting tired of waiting.

Dr. S, my surgeon, came in to see me about 9:45 and marked my lump.  As you might recall, I hadn't seen him since I had pneumonia in September but we did discuss the lump when it was much smaller.  He was fine with it all and was ready to go.  He felt he could use my eyelid crease to avoid a scar.  Still safe from a new visible scar!  Then we waited...and waited...and waited.  I always worry I will have to go to the bathroom during surgery.  So I went about 5000 times.  LOL.   Finally at 11:00, the anesthesiologist came in.  He was very nice and we all agreed MAC sedation (conscious sedation where you aren't really put out) was the best choice....especially since my recent pneumonia.  And back I went.

The lump marked by Dr. S.  Looks big once outlined!

 I think it is interesting they have you walk into the operating room yourself.  I guess there is no reason why you couldn't.  I had given Dr. S some Cowboy Cookies I got at Cowboy Grub the night before for the OR team.  When I got in the operating room, they were sitting here and 1/2 were gone.  I made a comment that I am glad they got the cookies.  They said they were fabulous and I was officially their favorite patient of the day!  I've learned through all my treatments and such, bringing treats is a good thing and often gives the medical team the "umph" to provide excellent care.  It still hasn't let me down.

The Anesthesiologist, Dr. Pace, did a fabulous job.  I believe I slept through the entire surgery.  I didn't even see Dr. S at all although I heard his voice.  When I started waking up, I could tell they were sewing my incision shut and they were all commenting how beautiful his work was.  Then they washed my face with a cold wet cloth.  It felt soooooo good.  I asked if they were cleaning the drool off my chin because I was sleeping so well and they laughed and assured me there was no drool but I would definitely want the "stuff" off my face.  No idea what it was but I guess I am glad it is gone.  Then they wheeled me into the recovery area.

Mom met me there and assured me my eye looked.....surgicated (a new word).  I started eating soda crackers and had some apple juice.  I think it was just noon.  Because I had MAC sedation, I wasn't really sick or groggy.  I did have a headache and when I ate, feel queezy but that was probably because I was starving.  They brought out a ice mask to put over my eyes so Mom was so sweet and blindly fed me.  I also got a Diet Coke to see if that would help my headache.  I didn't want to take anything on an empty stomach.  The Diet Coke did the trick.  I rested a bit and eventually got my clothes on to leave.

After surgery.  The incision is much bigger than
 I expected but should heal well.

When I got to the car, I realized my right side of my head was quite numb.  Like dead to the world numb.  It covered the bridge of my nose, to the back of my head, around my ear and to my cheek.  Probably a good thing because it didn't hurt.  On the ride home, I ate my peanut butter sandwich I always take with me when I have surgery or procedures that require I don't eat before.  I really appreciate the crackers but I am STARVING.

Dad and Cindy came to visit.  I know I look bad because they winced but honestly, I feel pretty good.  It was nice to visit and catch up and they brought me some beautiful flowers!  They are very cheery on my table.  I rested most the evening, ate dinner, and watched some TV.  It is a little tricky because I am suppose to keep ice on my eye with this ice pack thing.  I've already figured out a way to have it just cover my right eye so I can see with my left.  It is quite the get up! 

I won't share a photo of what my eye looks like today.  It's pretty ugly.  But I feel good and believe it or not, I've not been in pain at all.  I haven't had to take any pain pills!!  I think it will take several days to see the Path report.  Maybe even a week with the holiday.  I see Dr. S to get my stitches out next Friday.

My Ice mask get up.  Looks serious eh?  But it works.