Pre Op Day 2 – 15th February 2019
A super early start as we had to be at the hospital for 8.15am! This meant a 6.45am alarm call. Normally this would be a lie in but over the past couple of weeks, I’ve got quite used to being in bed until 7.30am.
The drive over the hills was gorgeous as the sun had started to shine and the hills were tinted with a warm pinky hue. I am lucky that this has been my drive to and from work over the past 13 months. It certainly beats the usual built-up concrete jungles surrounding the local motorway network.
This pre-op was more thorough than the last one with a couple more blood and swab samples being taken as well as what seemed like more pages of questionnaires. I’m not actually that bothered about this as I’d much rather everything be in order and accurate.
The nurses, as always were lovely and make a difficult time a little easier. After 45 minutes, I was done…. scary thought that the next time that I’ll be at the hospital will be for the “biggie”. Only 5 more sleeps.
Op 2 (The Biggie) – 20th February 2019
My op day finally comes around and I am thinking that I may be a little bit weird because I genuinely do not feel worried or nervous. Tim on the other hand is feeling a little different. This is understandable. Throughout this whole process, I have felt that it’s probably easier for me to go through this myself rather than watch me go through it. You see, I can handle this. I have it under control.
I set my alarm early as I cannot eat after 7am and therefore obviously need to have something. I have a light breakfast of bran flakes. I can drink up until 11am so am forcing myself to drink water. I’m not a water drinker normally so this is tough for me.
We have to be at the hospital for 12.00 noon so we leave around 10.45am. I don’t want to be late (I hate being late for anything and this is certainly no different). I’d packed my case the previous night so we were good to go on time. I’d drunk so much water that I was desperate for the toilet during the journey. Despite only being about 10 minutes away from the hospital, I said to Tim that I could no longer hold it in. I needed to go. Thankfully, there’s a small road that turns off the ‘main’ road and we find a place to stop. I have no qualms about going in the “open”, after all, I’ve done plenty of long distance walking and wild camping. Unfortunately this road, although not a popular route was a little more open than my usual places and thankfully, I had finished before 2 cars drove past in both directions!
Unlike last time there isn’t much time hanging around. My op is scheduled for around 1.00pm. I guess it’s because it’s a longer operation so a prompt start will ensure that there is plenty of time.
The bed is laid out like last time with a hospital gown, some disposable knickers and a urine bowl. I know the drill in terms of the urine bowl – I was worried that I might not be able to go after the little stop earlier but I managed it….. nerves I guess.
My anaesthetist comes first to talk to me. He’s lovely and very funny. We have a laugh as Tim cracks a joke about smoking. Although I do not need to be put at ease, it’s nice that he’s friendly.
The nurse then arrives to measure my calves for my TED (Thrombo-Embolic-Deterrent) stockings. These compression stockings are used after surgery to prevent blood clots developing in the leg, which is known as deep vein thrombosis (DVT). I didn’t have to wear them last time because my operation was less than 90 minutes in duration. She also takes my blood pressure – it’s bizarre as it’s much lower than when I had my pre-op. I am not sure why I am so calm?!
Soon after, my consultant arrives. He asks me to take off my upper clothing and then proceeds to draw all over me with black marker. I was surprised just how many marks he made but I guess it’s better to make sure everything is right beforehand. He also takes another photo.
I then get changed into my “other” gear. I can wear my own knickers but given that they are going to be removed for the catheter to be inserted, I decide on the “sexy” disposable ones. I look a sight….. gown, disposable knickers, TED stockings, glasses (no contact lenses), no makeup or jewellery and no nail varnish…. not even on my toes. Jeeeez….. I haven’t been out of the house without manicured toe nails since I was around 16! Being in hospital is so not glamorous.
At around 1.15pm the nurse arrives to take me down to theatre. I’m still not nervous, not one bit. There is nothing that I can do about this and I have no real choice but to go ahead with the operation….. I can do this!
I kiss Tim and go down.
I’m first taken to a pre-op room. This is different to last time as I was take straight into theatre. A nurse and the anaesthetist notice my hand is still bruised from my last op so they decide to put in the cannula near my wrist. It takes some time but in no time at all, I’m asleep.
I don’t remember much (if anything) about waking up in the recovery room or being taken back to my room. Tim seems to appear almost immediately though (he tells me that the nurse was right next to him when she was ringing him). It was about 6pm. At least he was told that I’d come out of surgery this time (I did mention it a few times to the nurses to ensure that he was told this time!).
I’m wearing an oxygen mask and I’m not in any pain. I’m actually quite comfortable in bed but that’s probably because I have been dosed up on painkillers. I’ve also got 3 drains which are attached down my side. These drains are used to remove pus, blood and other fluids following surgery.
I’d ordered egg mayo sandwiches and cheese and biscuits (I don’t have a sweet tooth) for dinner. I managed to eat the sandwiches and some of the cheese….. Tim finished the rest!
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1 - The Journey Begins click here
2 - Diagnosis click here
3 - MRI Scan click here
4 - Results Confirmation click here
5 - Biopsy click here
6 - Reconstruction Options click here
7 - Time to Decide click here
8 - Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy click here
9 - Lymph Node Biopsy results click here
10 - The Big Op (you're on this page)
11 - Day 1 Post Op click here
12 - Day 2 Discharge Day click here
13 - Week 1 Post Op click here
14 - Week 2 Post Op click here
15 - Week 3 Post Op click here
16 - Week 4 Post Op click here
17 - Week 5 Post Op click here
18 - Week 6 Post Op (you're on this page)
19 - Week 7 Post Op click here
20 - Weeks 8-13 Post Op click here
21 - 5 Months Post Op click here
OhBoob! 