It’s 10:30 PM, my time. I just woke up from a nap. My phone alarm went off, telling me to take my chemo meds. I should have turned off the alarm, because I didn’t take my morning dose until 3:30 this afternoon. My oncologist told me to take the meds after recovery from my biopsy.
That was a “fun” experience today. We had to get up at 4:15 AM to drive to Los Angeles. My check in time was 5:30 AM. I was surprised with the abundance of cars on the road at that hour of the morning. We were among a throng of people checking in for “same day surgery,” The first check-in process was without any hiccups. I had asked yesterday if my spouse might be with me until time for the procedure. Gratefully, it was confirmed that he could be with me. The nurse on the phone last night emphasized that he could not be with me during the procedure. (Like I actually though he could be.)
In the pre-op ward, the nurse took all my vitals, checked my ID, made me answer tons of questions, and had me change into a hospital gown. They don’t use my port most of the time so I had to have an IV line put in my arm. Sadly, the nurse wasn’t the greatest at inserting the needle. It hurt way more than necessary. Trust me, I get loads and loads of needles put in me. My spouse looked a little faint as she poked and prodded my arm.
By this time, I was on sensory overload with all the noises around me. I could hear the questions and answers through all the curtains between us, I could hear all the interpreters on cell phones asking the patients their check-in questions. I swear, sometimes I wish my superman hearing, wasn’t as efficient as it is. After all the patients on the ward, all 18 of us, had been checked in, the nurse came by to tell me that it was going to get very chaotic at 7:15.
Boy oh boy, was she right. A flood of people started arriving on the ward. Standing by most beds there were surgeons, doctors at all levels of training, nurses, and whomever the people were who pushed the gurneys from place to place. It was fairly easy to tell who was whom. The doctor underlings, walked with heads straight forward like ducklings following their mama. There were typically three or more of them for each surgeon. The nurses, in their orange scrubs, walked past everyone around as though they were in charge. Doctors were explaining to the newbies, exactly what they were going to be doing. It was sensory overload to the max.
At 7:15 the ward filled up with people and the floor space became more constricted. I had to laugh out loud. I told my spouse I was thoroughly expecting the entire crowd to break out in a flash mob performance. Needless to say, he joined me in laughter. Within minutes, we counted gurney after gurney leave to their next destination. A nurse came to my bed and told me I would be on my way soon because I was scheduled as the first CT scan patient. After an hour went by and no one came to get me, my spouse went to the desk and asked when I would be leaving for my appointment. The nurse called radiology and no one answered. She told us she would go there herself to see what the delay was. Upon her return, she informed us that there had an emergency patient and that I would be leaving soon for my biopsy.
Finally a 3rd year doctor-student arrived to have me sign consent papers and explain the procedure. I told her that I was expecting a flash mob to break out when the floor was overrun with medical people. Without skipping a beat, she said that of course, they had been practicing for weeks. We both had a good laugh at her reply. Another long hour went by. My spouse and I were dozing off and on from fatigue. Finally, a resident and an orderly arrived to take me away. My spouse and I hugged and the resident doctor told him that if he left, he was going to lose his parking spot. My husband informed him that he was in fact, heading to the Starbucks in the building and wasn’t leaving.
As soon as we went to the CT room, I was asked for 15th time who I was and what my date of birth was. First they apologized for the delay and thanked me for being patient. (like I had any choice) They stated the time out loud (9:30) and named all the doctors present. Once my wrist band was scanned, they explained the procedure once again. This time it was a little different version that what I had previously been told. I was indeed, going to be in and out of the CT machine as they located the exact spot for the biopsy. The main difference was that I was going to be on my side with the IV arm almost above my head for easy access. They told me I would be under medium sedation. I was happy to hear this because I had no desire to be awake during the procedure. When I had my colonoscopy years ago, I was told it would be light sedation and I was totally knocked out.
Well, this time I was awake and heard much of their conversations. I was warned about the burning pain from the numbing needles. I assured them that I had had these needles often for my tailbone pain. I could handle the numerous needles. Once the area on my back was numb, the only thing I felt was the medicine being pushed through the IV. Every time they added something, I felt it. Gratefully, I had no pain whatsoever. Being sideways on a hard gurney is not very comfortable. If I moved a tiny bit at all, they told me to hold perfectly still. I listened to their conversations. Either some things were in code, or I was unable to quite understand everything that was going on. Once they informed me that they were finished, they said they were taking me to post-op.
As soon as we got into the elevator, I started feeling chest pain. By the time we traveled the three floors to post-op, the pain had increased from a 3 to a 5. I was in a lot of pain. The post-op nurse called the doctor and said she needed to get there STAT. He kept telling me I was going to be OK and that they would take good care of me. After checking my wrist band and my telling him my name and date of birth, yet again, my pain was at a 7. My breathing was labored, and I was starting to get worried. The nurse kept calling out to the nurse’s desk that it was an “emergen…t” situation. He repeatedly said this and never spoke the actual word emergency.
The doctor arrived and ordered an immediate EKG. She ordered a pain med to be inserted immediately into my IV. Thank G-d, the EKG showed that I did not have a heart attack. Typically, for this procedure you have a chest X-ray about an hour after the biopsy and then again 3 hours later. The doctor wanted the chest X-ray as soon as they finished the EKG. They did find a pneumothorax, which the doctor had cautioned me that in about 40% of patients this occurred. Air had escaped outside the lungs. My pain reduced from a 7 to a 5. I was grateful for some relief. I repeatedly asked if I could have a sip of water. The nurse kept declining my offer. I asked if the reason was because I might need to go back into the surgery room. He nodded but did not speak his answer. After a few more minutes he questioned me about my pain level and other symptoms. I let him know I still had difficulty taking in a deep breath and my pain level was still a 5. He responded by calling the doctor on her private phone number, which she had given him. She ordered another pain med. When he returned with the medicine, he stated me that he ordered a pill for two reasons. First, that he didn’t need to access the IV and second because… I cut him off mid-sentence. I said it was because he was being kind and the pill meant I could have a sip of water. He smiled and asked if I was a retired nurse. I told him no, but I could tell empathy from a mile away. I was grateful for his kindness. I asked for more water, but he declined stating I had to wait for the second chest X-ray. He was smart and left the cup of water on the far side of the computer table where I could not reach it. The pain med did its job and my pain level decreased to a 3. Breathing became easier. I was told I could finally change my position in the bed. After the chest X-ray, the doctor wanted me to only lay on my left side where the biopsy was done.
For the next three hours, I drifted in and out of sleep. I was exhausted from my early morning wake up, my procedure, my “emergent situation,” and my nerves. My nurse kept checking on me and adding stats to my file on the computer. I was continuously awakened by the blood pressure cuff going off or because I started snoring. When it was nearly time for the second chest X-ray, my nurse asked about my pain level. I informed him that I was no longer in pain. He told me he had spoken to the doctor and she felt my heart was not involved at all. She felt that I was under such little sedation, that by the time I got to the elevator, I felt all the pain from the procedure. That’s what put my body into such immediate high levels of pain.
I was grateful when they moved my gurney to the pre-op ward where I was able to get dressed and wait for my spouse. The new nurse went through all the discharge directions. I had to laugh when he said if I turn blue or gray, I should call 911 immediately. I was finally offered a beverage. I asked for ginger ale because I needed to take my chemo meds as soon as I got to the car. My oncologist told me to take my meds once I was released. We had no idea it would be so late.
Part of the discharge directions were to eat something light as soon as I felt OK doing so. My typical, post procedure meal is pancakes. I am a snob about yummy pancakes. We tried two different pancake/breakfast restaurants. Both were closed by the time we arrived. My spouse remembered that I like Norms’ pancakes. By this time, it was 3:30 PM and I hadn’t eaten since 6:30 the night before. I was starved. The pancakes tasted like a little bit of heaven. I added two eggs to my meal to get some protein in my system.
We didn’t get home until 5:00. We were right on time to give Annie her dinner. She is not used to being left home all day by herself. She was overjoyed that we were home. After feeding Annie and giving her lots of cuddles, we both took a nap. My spouse slept for about 45 minutes and I slept for over two hours. My alarm to take my meds, woke me up. I’m grateful that I did wake up because otherwise I would have slept until the middle of the night and I wouldn’t have been able to go back to sleep.
I need to wait until right before going to bed for the evening before taking my chemo meds. Then tomorrow I will get back on schedule. I’m not sure how long it will take to get the results of the biopsy. The fact that my PET scan in November did not light up, makes me hopeful. I am grateful that the procedure is done. I am grateful for the great care I was shown at the hospital. I am grateful for the members of my tribe who love me.
You can read more about the 
❀ Welcome To LSS Attitude of Gratitude❀ 