Surgery is set for tomorrow morning. I know it’s outpatient and everything is expected to go well, but these procedures are not without risk and/or side effects. Of course, there is also the unknown pathology results I will have to wait several days for.
Overall, I am okay with this part of treatment. I really don’t want them to take any lymph nodes, but I understand why they’re doing it. Images of my lymph nodes have all been clear from the beginning of this. In my mind, I can’t justify the risk of lymphedema. They want to be “sure,” though. Yeah, okay. It’s not like I can get out of it – it’s “standard procedure.”
I did get a nice new button-down shirt to wear home afterwards. It came all folded up and sealed in plastic – I have washed and dried this thing and the wrinkles still won’t come out of it. It’s times like this I wish I had an iron & ironing board, but I don’t because I hate ironing. I just got used to wearing clothes that don’t need it. It’s easy enough to do. No cleaners in my town, either.
Yes, I am distracting myself from the real issues. I am concerned that the anesthesiologist is not going to monitor my blood sugar while I am out or try to keep me out of DKA range. The last one told me he would, but when I woke up, he said he hadn’t even checked it. It was 230 going in and coming out. That’s barely DKA, but still bad – especially for someone who has had type 1 diabetes for 40 years.
As for the pathology reports, I’m praying for clear margins and clear lymph nodes. Also, I don’t want any complications from the surgeries. I just want to get this over with and get back home to my normal routine for a short while before I have to start radiation treatments.
The week before any kind of surgery or procedure is rough for me. I have arthritis, scoliosis, sciatica and an autoimmune disease – and can’t take anything anti-inflamatory. I can’t have any vitamins or supplements, either. Ugh. I can take Tylenol, but it doesn’t do anything. The inflammation and pain are getting to me.
So, anyway, I’m outta here. I have prep-work to do around the house. I’ll be back. I hope everyone has a great week and that anyone going through this with me is having good results. L8r.
Best wishes for your surgery and recovery. May health and wholeness be yours.
Thank you so much!!