I got a few calls this week. One from a dietician from BC Cancer Agency. She wanted to confirm that I was only scheduled for surgery, and there was no other treatment plan being discussed. I informed her that at this point, it's just surgery ... but that may change depending on the outcome of the procedure. I was thinking it was a little late for her call since I was diagnosed 2 1/2 months ago.
The second call was from the Oncologist that I saw at BC Cancer Agency. He called at around 6:30 in the evening, which I found a little strange. I guess he works late hours. Anyway, he asked if anyone had discussed my PET scan results with me... my doctor or the gynaecologist ... I said nobody has discussed any results from any of the scans to date. He said the PET scan showed no signs that the cancer had spread to my sentinel nodes (lymph), which is great. He said the size was a little bigger than he expected after the physical exam - 2.4 cm (just under 1 inch). That is surprising since the gynaecologist said it was more than 4 cm when he did the colposcopy. Something is very strange around the diagnostic approach and staging. Anything over 4 cm is supposed to be considered stage 2, so I'm still well within stage 1. However, I guess it's right on the line between when they can do surgery and when they opt for radiation. So the oncologist wanted to remind me that we may still need to do radiation if things don't go as planned during the surgery. I'm hopeful and staying positive that things will play out in my favour.
He also asked if I was feeling upset or frustrated about the wait for surgery because he said it should've been scheduled right after the PET Scan. He said he couldn't believe how long it had been since he had seen me, and was concerned that I was getting anxious. I said I was fine, and wasn't worried about it, and he replied "well you have more patience than I would have." I have to admit, I'm a pretty patient person most of the time.
I asked him to clarify about the length of time I would be in the hospital, because the woman who called to schedule my surgery said she only booked me in for 2 days. He said "No, no. You'll be in for a minimum of 3 days and that's not including the day of surgery." He expects it will likely be more like 5 or 6 days because apparently the bladder doesn't work well after the surgery and it will take a few days to get the muscles working again. They won't send you home until that part is working again.... which is probably best. :) So I guess if people visit, I might need a little company by day 3. I'll likely be going a little stir crazy.
The last thing the doctor said was that the surgery would be done by another oncologist - I guess they take turns. She will be the main surgeon, but he said he'd be there, as well. The more the merrier, I say!
The last call I got this week was from the new surgeon's office. She has requested more tests/exams. So I went today to NRGH to get blood work done, a chest xray, and an ECG. The chest xray was smooth - I was in and out of the hospital in about 10 to 15 minutes. The staff told me that I'd have to come back on Monday to get the ECG done - they started taking patients at 10am. I didn't want to miss any more work time, so I was a little disappointed, but at least I'd have 2 of the 3 requests completed.
The outpatient lab was closed at NRGH on a Saturday, but I rang the buzzer anyway. Someone finally came out and I explained that I needed the requisition that was sent for the blood work so I could go to the satellite lab across the street. The woman found it for me, and away I went.
When I got to the satellite lab, I took a number and was perplexed that they only had one person working in the entire office. She was checking people in, doing the blood work, and surprisingly she said she could to my ECG. Apparently the staff at NRGH don't know that they can do ECG exams at the lab. I felt so sorry for the woman... she was rushed off her feet, and there were lots of people waiting. She was truly awesome, though. She was organized, kind, personable, and was taking everything in stride. Big kudos to her. She told me that she works alone every Saturday and she thinks they are trying to deter people from coming to that lab, so they won't staff it ... she thinks they want to close it completely. Personally, based on the people in the waiting room, that strategy isn't working ... instead they are just burning out a very amazing employee.
Oh wait... the person who called to tell me about the 3 requisitions also said I would be getting 2 more calls this week: 1 from the pharmacist to discuss what medications I'm currently taking. I guess it will be a short call because other than the CBD oil and a few antihistamines for my allergies, I don't take any pharmaceuticals. Of course I didn't write down the details fast enough because now I can't recall who the second call will be from ... I'm getting old! LOL.
Anyway, I'm now planning what I should pack to go to the hospital. I'm thinking a lot of reading materials (and of course, my reading glasses!). I'm going to pick up some magazines and load some e-books onto my iPad. I'm a little worried about bringing my laptop so I can do some writing ... I would worry it might get stolen. I'll be concerned enough about my iPad. If anyone has any suggestions on what I can bring to keep myself occupied, please let me know. This is my first surgery, so I'm not experienced with how this recovery is going to go.
To change gears... I just have to share that my Gerbera daisy is loving life! About four years old and suddenly the blooms are coming fast and furiously!
A little update on the progress of my bathroom renovation ... got a lot accomplished this week. about 2/3 of the tiling, shower panel, vanity, toilet, mirror, new light fixture, and wall cabinet completed. The best part, however, was that the under floor heating is now hooked up and it works fabulously thanks to my dad and brother in law. Just a few more days of work left - finish tiling and grout, glass sliding doors, hardware hung (towel racks and toilet paper holder), and mouldings put on. I also painted the exhaust fan grill white - it was an off-white originally so it would've looked funny. Here are the updated photos:
The second call was from the Oncologist that I saw at BC Cancer Agency. He called at around 6:30 in the evening, which I found a little strange. I guess he works late hours. Anyway, he asked if anyone had discussed my PET scan results with me... my doctor or the gynaecologist ... I said nobody has discussed any results from any of the scans to date. He said the PET scan showed no signs that the cancer had spread to my sentinel nodes (lymph), which is great. He said the size was a little bigger than he expected after the physical exam - 2.4 cm (just under 1 inch). That is surprising since the gynaecologist said it was more than 4 cm when he did the colposcopy. Something is very strange around the diagnostic approach and staging. Anything over 4 cm is supposed to be considered stage 2, so I'm still well within stage 1. However, I guess it's right on the line between when they can do surgery and when they opt for radiation. So the oncologist wanted to remind me that we may still need to do radiation if things don't go as planned during the surgery. I'm hopeful and staying positive that things will play out in my favour.
He also asked if I was feeling upset or frustrated about the wait for surgery because he said it should've been scheduled right after the PET Scan. He said he couldn't believe how long it had been since he had seen me, and was concerned that I was getting anxious. I said I was fine, and wasn't worried about it, and he replied "well you have more patience than I would have." I have to admit, I'm a pretty patient person most of the time.
I asked him to clarify about the length of time I would be in the hospital, because the woman who called to schedule my surgery said she only booked me in for 2 days. He said "No, no. You'll be in for a minimum of 3 days and that's not including the day of surgery." He expects it will likely be more like 5 or 6 days because apparently the bladder doesn't work well after the surgery and it will take a few days to get the muscles working again. They won't send you home until that part is working again.... which is probably best. :) So I guess if people visit, I might need a little company by day 3. I'll likely be going a little stir crazy.
The last thing the doctor said was that the surgery would be done by another oncologist - I guess they take turns. She will be the main surgeon, but he said he'd be there, as well. The more the merrier, I say!
The last call I got this week was from the new surgeon's office. She has requested more tests/exams. So I went today to NRGH to get blood work done, a chest xray, and an ECG. The chest xray was smooth - I was in and out of the hospital in about 10 to 15 minutes. The staff told me that I'd have to come back on Monday to get the ECG done - they started taking patients at 10am. I didn't want to miss any more work time, so I was a little disappointed, but at least I'd have 2 of the 3 requests completed.
The outpatient lab was closed at NRGH on a Saturday, but I rang the buzzer anyway. Someone finally came out and I explained that I needed the requisition that was sent for the blood work so I could go to the satellite lab across the street. The woman found it for me, and away I went.
When I got to the satellite lab, I took a number and was perplexed that they only had one person working in the entire office. She was checking people in, doing the blood work, and surprisingly she said she could to my ECG. Apparently the staff at NRGH don't know that they can do ECG exams at the lab. I felt so sorry for the woman... she was rushed off her feet, and there were lots of people waiting. She was truly awesome, though. She was organized, kind, personable, and was taking everything in stride. Big kudos to her. She told me that she works alone every Saturday and she thinks they are trying to deter people from coming to that lab, so they won't staff it ... she thinks they want to close it completely. Personally, based on the people in the waiting room, that strategy isn't working ... instead they are just burning out a very amazing employee.
Oh wait... the person who called to tell me about the 3 requisitions also said I would be getting 2 more calls this week: 1 from the pharmacist to discuss what medications I'm currently taking. I guess it will be a short call because other than the CBD oil and a few antihistamines for my allergies, I don't take any pharmaceuticals. Of course I didn't write down the details fast enough because now I can't recall who the second call will be from ... I'm getting old! LOL.
Anyway, I'm now planning what I should pack to go to the hospital. I'm thinking a lot of reading materials (and of course, my reading glasses!). I'm going to pick up some magazines and load some e-books onto my iPad. I'm a little worried about bringing my laptop so I can do some writing ... I would worry it might get stolen. I'll be concerned enough about my iPad. If anyone has any suggestions on what I can bring to keep myself occupied, please let me know. This is my first surgery, so I'm not experienced with how this recovery is going to go.
To change gears... I just have to share that my Gerbera daisy is loving life! About four years old and suddenly the blooms are coming fast and furiously!
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| This shower panel is AMAZING! 'Nuff said. |
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| Drawers aren't in yet because my plumber friend is coming back tomorrow to finish hooking up the water. |
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| I'm going to add some of the highlight (blue) tile that was used in the shower to put in a backsplash around the vanity ... to pull it all together. |
I love how your new bathroom turned out. You have a nack for design. I'm thinking the project was a nice distraction for you.
ReplyDeleteThanks! It’s been a distraction, and will be well worth the effort when it’s all complete.
DeleteSo glad everything is going well and your bathroom looks amazing. I'm pretty excited to see it in person. . . hopefully soon. Hang in there strong girl, you're proving you got this!
ReplyDelete