Pookie's Cancer Surgery

• by Pookie
• 2013-03-21 12:03:14
• General Posting
• 1226 views
• 24 comments

Hi Everyone,

Well I had a bit of luck - my kidney cancer surgery was scheduled for April 2nd, but now it has been changed to this coming Monday, March 25th - the day before my 51st birthday. Wouldn't be the 1st time I've been in hospital on that day. Last year I was in for Sinus surgery on my husband's birthday - I think I have a birthday/surgery theme happening.

Today I met with the Anestheologist and it was a LONG meeting. This is gonna be MAJOR surgery. Today is the 1st day it hit me how serious this is gonna be. I am not by any way afraid of the surgery itself, but rather I am completely terrified of the post-op pain management. However, since I already take Dilaudid (18mgs twice daily) for another medical issue, I will be having a special pain management nurse assigned just to me. Gee, I feel kinda special. I was also told today that I will be having a pain pump that will be inserted in my back (gross me out - just the thought of it) and it will be able to freeze my side - where the left kidney is going to be lopped off (they are taking about half of it). I will be in hospital for at least 3 days depending if the surgeon can do it laproscopically (I know I just misspelled that word). However, when I did speak with the surgeon back in January he said because the cancer is on the very top of the kidney it is in a tricky place so don't be disappointed if I awake with the full incision, which would mean at least 6 days in hospital. Today I asked how long this full incision would be and I was told at least 10 inches. If done by lapro - I will have a few "stab wounds" plus a 5 inch incision. Oh, and I get the lovely staples instead of stitches. Just another scar, what's one more, eh?

But this is what REALLY set Mr. Pookie & I back: sorta stunned us actually -- it was the 1st time we were ever handed the forms one fills out if something happens to me and I cannot speak for myself and/or I die during surgery - would I like organs donated, etc. I'm not even going to fill it out until I am in the waiting room Monday morning because if we do it now it will just completely RUIN our weekend - which we plan on having a HUGE birthday party for me on Saturday night. I don't even drink; haven't drank in years, but for some strange reason I think I'm gonna have quite a few drinks on Saturday night :)

So, that is what is new on my end. But at least the long wait is finally almost over. I hope and pray that everything will work out, but as most of you know I also belong to that 1% club...if you know what I mean. However, I have an angel (my Dad) who is going to be taking special care of me on Monday, so I know I will come out of this okay. And then my twin is still flying here to be with me on April 6th for 2 whole weeks, which I am sooooooooo looking forward to.

I just wanna thank ALL of you who have been sending me private messages - your support means the world to me and when I've had had some really down moments lately, I've gone back and read them - it's so comforting to know that so many people in this great group of ours care about me as I care about ALL of you.

As soon as I am able - I will be back to post to let you all know how I made out. OR perhaps Jessie or Billie or Loopy or Tracey or Wendy or one of my friends on here who is also on FaceBook could let ya'll know how I do on Monday.

Take care, keep smiling, and NEVER give up hope.

Hugs,
Pookie