The procedure was simple; we arrived at the surgery center at the appointed time, was escorted back to the holding area and prepped for surgery. It was determined I would have general anesthesia. I hated that idea - longer recovery time, sore throat, more drugs, but it made sense given the less-than-wonderful previous experience I had had with local anesthesia.
We had a little buddy in the bed next to me - Michael, or Mikey as he preferred to be called, who was three and having his tonsils removed. Poor little guy - cried and screamed the entire time. He was so scared. It got quiet when he went off to surgery; about half an hour later we were treated to his crying, screaming, and puking from across the holding area. He made it through with flying colors!
My surgery was delayed about an hour, which would have been awfu, except for the RN who was always ready with a syringe-full of something that would make me happy.
Now that we've been able to remove the dressing, we can see Portia in all her glory. Let me tell you that it's not as bad as it looks; much of the redness is due to removal of the large plastic "bandage" they place over the entire area to keep it dry and safe for 48 hours
The port is located under the large incision. It's about the size of a quarter, and raises the skin (you can see the "lump" where the port is located). The smaller incision at the top is where the catheter in inserted. The catheter runs in a tunnel under the skin, going over the collar bone and then enters the large vein in the lower neck (the internal jugular vein). If you look closely you can see the shadow of the catheter under my skin.
As before, I also have several small blisters because of the steri-strips. I have yet to figure out why I get these blisters, but they are always at one end of the steri-strips, not both, and not anywhere in between. A mystery for another day, I guess.
Surprisingly, Portia does not really hurt. Not that I'm playing with her or running my fingers over her repeatedly - right now, I prefer not to anger or frustrate her, and she's happiest when she's left alone and can rest. So we'll have another day of rest tomorrow.
Friday was chemo school - and yes, because I'm an overachiever, I got an A+. :-) Seriously, though, it was a great way to meet the nurse we would be working with, to talk about side effects and remedies, and to, finally, see the infusion room where chemo will take place. The infusion room is a large room with a pharmacy, a nurse's station, and several small areas separated by curtains. The room is brightened with large windows in every area. There is a comfortable-looking recliner, a television, and a chair for a visitor.
At the time of our visit there were two patients receiving treatment; one was a gentleman easily in his 70's, the other was an older women who could have been in her late 60's or early 70's. It was so sad for me to see them there, realizing how difficult it must be for them to endure this kind of treatment. I cried because I was scared, and because seeing the infusion room makes it all so much more real, but I also realized that I have nothing to cry about when I can be inspired by other patients who are likely having a much more difficult experience than I will.
So I shopped and cooked yesterday; I attended my first day of classes for the Winter term today. We had old friends over this evening for a "wear your craziest hat or hair" celebration of our new step forward. Portia was well received and loved by all. She will be instrumental in making my treatment much easier in many ways.
I already love her, even if I hate why she's here.
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