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May 26, 2021 3:40pm
Finally, the phone call that I'd been waiting on. It was the Medical Center. (Finally, we can schedule my surgery.) She tells me who she is, and then tells me that she has a cancellation for tomorrow. (Me stammering... ) "Ok, but I was thinking the end of June." Then I hear "We just had a moment to look at your file. We really don't think that you should wait. We really think you should come in tomorrow at 8:15am" (Me stammering again) "Ok, I'll be there."
Wait, what? My mind is all over the place. I'm supposed to work. How am I going to get our son to school? Will my husband be able to go with me on such short notice. I expected this to be the end of June, not tomorrow. I'm not prepared! I was overcome with emotion.
May 26, 2021
Surgery Day
I woke up at 1am with a horrible headache. By the time we arrived at the surgery center, I was definitely a bundle of nerves. I got checked in, went through the usual lists of medical information and allergies etc. The dr comes in an explains what he's about to do. I asked about scarring. He said at this point he had no idea what he was going to get into. Sometimes it is left to heal on its own. Sometimes it is stitched. Sometimes they have to do skin grafts. At this point, it was unknown. They mark my face with a permanent marker, and get started. First came the dreaded shot. Then he began cutting. One area was not completely numb, but he was almost finished so he kept on until he got what he needed. Then they burned it to stop the bleeding. I told them the smell made me very sick. So she had me hold my breath before she used the machine. She gave me a cold cloth for my headache and for my nausea.
Then we waited.....
.... and waited....
..... a half an hour passed.... then 45 minutes
(I'm starting to feel some pain. I am so nervous about them having to cut me again.)
... a little over an hour the doctor and 2 nurses walk back in...
"We got it all. You are cancer free"
I cried a little with relief.
He said he couldn't stitch it. It would be an open hole that would have to heal from the inside out. "It will take 6-8 weeks to heal, and it will scar. We won't know how bad until it heals."
I left swollen and in pain, but I was cancer free.
2 Weeks Later
June 10, 2021
The pain has been tolerable. The bandage has been unpleasant. And the hole is still there. I have to keep vasoline on it several times a day and a bandage.
After 14 days, which is today, the dr. said I could take the bandage off.
However, it's more painful with the bandage off.
It is healing SLOWLY.
I'm still very self conscious with and without the bandage. I'm hoping that once it heals I will feel more comfortable in my own skin. But I'm very thankful to be cancer free!
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| 6/14/21 |
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