Thursday, February 24

Surgery day.

I woke up worrying that I needed to get more things done at school before I headed into surgery so instead of walking w/ my friends (which is really what I would prefer to do),  I got over to my room at 6:00 A.M.  I like working at Skyline when I’m the only one there, it’s very quiet, I can concentrate on the work and the copy room was free! I was able to e-mail all the service sites w/ schedules and all I really need to do is to put all my folders away, clear away some other stuff and it will be ready for Mary who will take over for me for the rest of the school year.  I have accrued many sick leave days, so I’m taking them!  Mary comes highly recommended from Linda Dunn and the Bennion Center.  The students will love her.  She’s been an Americorp Volunteer so I am relieved that this will be a good fit for everyone!  I have always said that I have the best job in the world and it has been for me.  I love rubbing shoulders w/ such incredible students and in that mix I got to interact w/ my own children and their friends.  It has been a rich part of my life.

Sue O. left a package by the door that morning w/ the most soft, adorable “cure” shirt and card showing a woman on the front holding up her breast, inside it says “Hope you’re holding up okay…” and then in Sue’s words “and we’re hear to support you-in any way possible”.  How does she do it?  Anyone who knows Sue, knows she is a gifted card giver.   Thanks to all the kind messages and cards that came my way this day!  Seriously, I am being held up by people and their prayers!

Joe and I arrived at the IMC Hospital @ 9:30.  Surgery wasn’t scheduled until 1:15 and I was on the table @ 1:19.  They have a lot to do before they put you under.  First and foremost, they make sure that you are you and that they are going to do the right breast- literally right.  They put an IV in, do all your vitals and then took me back to the Breast Care Center in a waiting room (all the other rooms were filled).  At first when I got put in the waiting room, I thought they could easily forget about me.  I got to meet two women who were waiting to have ultra-sounds.  They had mammogram call backs like me and then the radiologist wanted to see them about further tests.  They were noticeably worried and just being in that room flooded me w/ memories of my own experiences w/ this disease.  I loved talking to these women as we shared our stories.  I tried to be comforting because really chances are higher for them that they won’t have cancer.  It’s amazing the connections that you forge when you have to go through something like this.  Of course, you would never choose it, but you really do connect w/ others on a deeper level.

Before you go into surgery they put a wire into the lump in your breast so that the surgeon can find the tumor to remove.  Apparently, my tumor was so small that the surgeon removed it and then brought in the radiologist to ultra-sound the area to make sure they removed the correct tissue.   The surgeon removed 3 (infected, they think) lymph nodes and then some surrounding lymph nodes.   That’s the scary part and giving me the most worry.  The radiologist, Dr. Parkinson, who put the wire in was so friendly.  He asked me what I did, where I taught etc. and then told me about his children who had been in the IB program @ West High.  He had me watch the screen and showed me exactly what he was doing.  Funny thing, when I introduce Joe and the surgeon, Joe remembered that they had shared a ski lift at Park City a few Saturdays ago.  Small world!  Dr. Parkinson said that teachers are his heroes and he holds them in the highest esteem. 

After that procedure, Joe and I went to the waiting room and somehow they found out that I had run some marathons.  It was great to talk to all the nurses and staff about marathon running.  The nurse that took me to the operating room explained everything really well then you meet w/ the anesthesialogist, operating room nurse and then Dr. Lloyd.  Dr. Lloyd had a big bag around her shoulder packed full of items including a manilla folder w/ all my information.  It struck me as funny that my life information was in that folder and she was just carrying around while going shopping etc. 

Wow!  Operating rooms are very light!  I guess that’s good!  They said to me as I was going under.  “You ran 27 marathons, I could never do that!”    

When I woke up, it was certain that I was going to have a hard time waking up.  I kept trying to open my eyes.  When I got into the room w/ Joe, the nausea started in and then after getting rid of all and more of the contents of my stomach, they gave me anti-nausea medicine and then tried to send me home.  The monitor that measures the oxygen in my blood kept going off and so the nurse told Joe to wake me every 10 minutes if I feel asleep until about 10:00 P.M.    We got home about 7 and then about 10:00 the nausea did stop and I could eat something.  Sue ran over for a visit and I really appreciated that.  Sue O. and Sue B. brought the most delicious dinner of  chicken noodle soup, salad, bread and fruit.  Ummm!!!