Dear Friends, we
have woken to a gloriously cool morning and are enjoying having the doors &
windows open for a change after some very hot weather this week. I am sitting
up for the first time since Tuesday afternoon, when I had surgery to remove a
lymphoma from under my right arm.
About six years ago,
I discovered a small lump near my underarm but ultrasound cleared it of any
nastiness, so my doctor and I decided to keep an eye on it. Late last year I
noticed it was growing rapidly, so after another ultrasound, we decided I
should consult a specialist and in December, I saw Andrew Lowe, who comes to Daylesford
one morning a week from Ballarat. He ordered a cat scan, which I duly had about
a week later.
When we went to see
him on 12th January, he showed us the results and we could see that
although the lump was benign, it was also behaving like an iceberg and spreading
out far & wide below the surface. It was an easy decision to have it
removed and Andrew was able to book me in for last Tuesday.
I was extremely
anxious about this – mostly because I am a worrywart, but also because it was
invasive and there was no guarantee that Andrew would be able to remove it all.
So I decided not to tell anybody about the operation, as I knew talking about
it would only increase my anxiety. Wes didn’t like this, but he went along with
me and somehow we got through the week.
On Monday morning, we
went to Ballarat to buy some pyjamas, as I needed the old-fashioned type that
buttoned up the front to allow for the draining tube and inspections! That wasn’t
an easy task, but I eventually found some unexciting pairs at Myer, hidden on a
table under much more interesting nightwear.
Last Tuesday
morning the film on offer was ‘Bridge of Spies’ and we watched that together,
totally engrossed, and very grateful that nearly 3 hours went by without
stress! After the film, we drove home, gave Bilbo a huge marrowbone and went to
St John of God Hospital in Ballarat.
Everyone was lovely
to me and it all went well until an orderly came to collect me at 3.30pm (op
was due at 3pm). She sent Wes out from the cubicle we had been in, gave my
belongings to a porter to take to the room and took me in to be prepped. Fortunately,
the nurse there checked everything with me and discovered that I wasn’t
Georgina, about to have my tonsils out, but someone else!
The orderly took
full responsibility, apologised and led me back to my cubicle, which now was
empty of husband, books & phone and I stayed there for another hour before
Andrew, the surgeon popped in to apologise for the delay. I requested a phone
so I could let Wes know what had happened and I imagine he was quite amazed to
hear my voice.
Finally, I was
called, double-checked, put on a trolley and lay in the prep room for the next
30 minutes until the anaesthetist arrived and I had my first ever general
anaesthetic. I woke up at 6.30pm to find myself out of theatre with oxygen, a
drip & a drain. The good news was that Andrew was confident he had removed
all the lymphoma and I was wheeled into my room. Wes came to visit briefly and unpacked
a few necessities before heading back home to Bilbo, who was still engrossed in
Best Bone Ever.
All the nurses were
lovely of course and eventually the oxygen was removed and I was able to have a
couple of cups of hot Jasmine tea – very refreshing, and yes, I did take in my
teabags. Later I had some fruit salad & a couple of points of sandwiches.
As everyone knows, it is very difficult to sleep in hospital, but I did manage
to find a way to get some rest during the night.
In the morning the
nurses assured me I would be staying another night to make sure the wound had
stopped draining, but they were happy to remove the drip as I wasn’t in pain so
much as discomfort. Once the drip went, I was allowed to take my draining tube
and bottle and have a shower – bliss! As I was drying my hair, Andrew arrived
to inspect the wound, declared himself delighted and said I could go home that
morning.
Wes was thrilled
when I let him know and he arrived about an hour later to take me home. There
had been some rain during the night and everywhere was looking fresh and wet on
the drive home. I hopped into bed very happily and have been there more or less
ever since. Today is the first time I have felt like getting up and staying up
for a while, so that is what I’m doing.
Wes has walked
Bilbo early and now they are at the Sunday Market. I won’t be going to
breakfast and sadly will miss seeing John & Jan, who are making a rare
visit to Daylesford.
Beautiful flowers from Leanne – I
had to tell her so she wouldn’t worry when I didn’t get in touch for a couple
of days and she arranged for this basket from Wombat Gardens Florist – they are
still looking bright a week later
Tomorrow we are off
to see Andrew Lowe and find out how the healing is going, but I am confident
that all will be well. I am still in some discomfort, but have experienced very
little pain, for which I am most grateful.
Wes has been
wonderful, making yummy meals, providing vanilla slices, cups of tea, glasses
of wine, and of course, giving me his love and care. He has been able to work
in the garden for quite a few hours and everywhere is looking better for his
work. When he gets home, he will make me some scrambled eggs before heading off
to breakfast with everyone.
P.S. Robyn Robinson’s
mother, Dulcie, died this week after suffering a massive stroke last Friday
week after spending a very happy night with her family.
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