Everything is Happening Now

I got 5 different calls from Victoria yesterday. It seems like everything is now being pushed along mere days before my surgery. Nothing like waiting until the last minute.

The first call was from my 'new' surgeon's office to inform me that they moved my surgery time from 8am to 8:45am. It was hardly worth the call. :)

The second call was from the BC Cancer Agency research department because I agreed to participate in any research studies relevant to my diagnosis. It would be hard to say 'no' after working in a cancer research department for almost 5 years. So I will be participating in 2 - one to donate my tissue and clinic information, and one will be collecting a blood sample every year for up to 10 years.

The third call was from the pharmacist. She wanted to know what medications and supplements I am currently taking. That was an easy conversation. I am only taking the CBD oil and the occasional anti-histamine for allergies. She advised me that taking the CBD oil into the hospital might be an issue, so I said I wouldn't bring it. She said that the half-life is quite long for CBD and it might stay in my system ... she recommended that I stop taking it earlier because I didn't know how it might affect me after the surgery. So yesterday morning was my last dose. I feel fine. I'm sure she's just being cautious, but I doubt I'll be experiencing any type of withdrawal.

The fourth call was a long one. It was from the nurse at VGH. She was pretty great, I have to admit. She started by asking me a lot of questions about my history. Here are a few examples:

1. Have you had the flu shot and/or pneumonia vaccine?
2. Have you fallen recently? Are you steady on your feet?
3. Have you ever lived in a correctional facility, shelter, or on the street?
4. Have you or anyone in your family had an abscess or boil in the last 12 months?
5. Have you ever been on dialysis or chemo?
6. Do you smoke? Drink? Do street drugs (other than marijuana)?
7. Do you have any dietary restrictions? (I told her about my 'no sugar' and 'no red meat" and low carb diet).
8. What are your current living arrangements? (Alone or do you live with someone?)
9. Do you have any chronic health problems? (Other than the cancer, no.) lol
10. Have you had any previous surgeries or had medical treatment off Vancouver Island in the past 12 months?


That was just a few of the questions. Then the nurse confirmed that I would be having a laparoscopic radical abdominal hysterectomy with full lymph node dissection and sentinel lymph node biopsy. I told her that I believed that was incorrect. I was told by my first surgeon that it wouldn't be a laparoscopic surgery, but a full incision and that there was no evidence of spread into the lymph nodes according to the PET Scan, so I didn't think there would be a lymph node dissection. She told me to make sure I discussed this with the surgeon before the surgery on Monday. Fortunately, the first surgeon (oncologist) will also be there, so I'm assuming he'll give her the correct information when I ask the question. This is a tad worrisome, but I will advocate for myself. Fortunately, I was paying very close attention to what was being said!

After that, the nurse proceeded to tell me about how to prepare for the surgery, which included pre-op scrubbing with 2 chlorhexidine sponges the night before and the morning of the surgery which is supposed to reduce the risk of infection. She also recommended that I bring 2 packs of sugar-free mint gum, which helps your insides start working again apparently. I am also supposed to drink 800ml of apple juice the night before and another 400ml in the morning 3 hours before my surgery. She said carb-loading improves outcomes for surgeries.

She asked if anyone had mentioned bowel prep and they hadn't. She said maybe it was not necessary for this surgery. ?? Let's hope she's right!

She also told me what to expect when I wake up after surgery ... I will have a catheter in because my bladder won't be working properly. She said it will likely be removed the first night or the next morning (which the surgeon said would be much later, so we'll see). I will also be wearing something called sequential compression devices on my legs that improve blood flow and reduce the risk of clots. She said they will likely try to get me up and walking that night, as well. She said to make sure I test the pain medication right away and to take it in advance of someone coming to get me out of bed. Ugh! I'll definitely be keeping that one in mind.

She also said I would need to remember to take deep breaths and try coughing a few times an hour. There will probably be a small device that I will need to blow into to keep my lungs working well.

Anyway, she said that in order to be released, I will have to meet 4 criteria:

1. I will need to be walking on my own
2. I will need to be eating, drinking, and passing gas (not sure how they test that last one)
3. My incisions will need to be clean and healing
4. I will need to be able to self-manage my pain


After she data dumped information on me, she also told me about possible complications post-surgery and what to look for. Most importantly, she answered all my silly questions about the food that would be available on the menu and what stuff I should bring. She offered some great advice.

Anyway, that was an important and helpful call for me. I feel like I now have enough information to know what's going to happen.

The last call I got was to confirm my appointment at medical imaging on Monday at VGH at 9am. I have no idea what that appointment is for or why it would be at 9am if my surgery is scheduled at 8:45am. Since it was an automated call, I couldn't respond with questions. The recording said that I was supposed to make sure I follow the preparation instructions prior to my appointment... but if I don't know what the exam will be, I really can't prepare.

So now I think that will be the last of the updates until after my surgery. We'll see.

Wish me luck!