A week ago today, I took a turn on my journey that would determine the next chapter in my life. My CANcer Chronicles…
Wednesday, April 5th began VEEEERY early thanks to I~85!⚠️ My day began at 6am so we would not be late for my 8:00 day of reckoning!!! My surgery was scheduled for 1:30pm. You might ask, as I did, “Why am I here at 8:00am when my surgery begins at 1:30pm?” Well… here’s the low down for those who are scheduled for a lumpectomy or those who are just curious about where the time goes. Your day may vary depending on your situation:
6:00am 🎶Rise and shine and give GOD the Glory🎶
6:30am Leave for hospital earlier than usual due to fire and collapsed bridge on I-85!⚠️ Long story about a fire under an overpass in Atlanta, an overpass that collapsed due to the fire and an already congested highway now shutdown on the first day of Spring break!!! Our commutes will not be the same for a very long while…I digress!
7:57am Arrive at Women’s Center and check in. We did good!
8:16am Go to pre-op area for instructions and change into fashionable hospital couture. I received a lovely gift from the staff . A plush pink blanket, pink footies, lavender lip balm, and a sample lavender lotion. 
Northside Hospital really has gone above and beyond in this process!!!
8:25am Check vitals sign consents. I felt like I was closing on a house!
8:45am Watch WSB and the weather shenanigans! …and more about the bridge…
9:00am Nurse check in and get schedule for day😮 (…understand why I had to come at 8:00am… there’s a lot to do to prepare for surgery!)
9:15am More TV and window watching… storm has me worried but prayer handled that and was told the storm would not affect anything!
10:00am Walk to ultrasound… poking …prodding… doctor in and out…
Is there a problem? “Well… I can’t see it…” They ultimately found the tumor, but it was “… so small…” God’s work!
10:45am… Mammogram and wire placement to prepare for surgery. Yes, I said wire placement. I can’t remember all of the details, but there was a wire inserted into the mass (tumor) in my breast. This was so the surgeon had a clear indication where the mass was and how to get to the necessary area where they would need to extract. This was a very thin wire that resembled a thin, stiff, long piece of string. By the end of this procedure, I surely felt like a robot, a mechanical being, with superpowers!!!
11:45am Headed to get scanned to make sure everything is in place and my breast is prepared for lumpectomy! The hospital was huge so I was wheeled to what seemed miles away to get these scans. This is really a process!
12:30pm I am back in my pre-op space with the nurse who packed me in this aluminum foil package which my son called my plastic bag! I joked with him on the phone about the doctors having to “bake mommy” like a hot pocket! Little did I know I wasn’t so far from the truth! This contraption was to keep me good and warm for surgery…. just like keeping the ribs warm at a barbecue! I was so hungry! I then received pain medication, anxiety medication, a patch behind my ear for nausea and a continuation of fluids through the IV which was supposed to be my breakfast and lunch since I couldn’t eat before surgery.
1:25pm Headed to surgery. They wheeled me in my hot pocket!
Like clockwork, at 1:30pm as scheduled, I received my general anesthesia. The nurses put the mask over my nose and told me to breathe in deeply… I was hesitant, nervous, and really didn’t want to breathe! I was encouraged to breathe deeper and relax and that it would be ok. So, I sent up my thoughts to God and took my deep breath. In what seemed like seconds I felt a touch and heard my name called by a nurse. I remember looking at her and asking when I was going to have my surgery?!?! She laughed very lightly and told me not only had I had a successful surgery, but I had also been sleeping in recovery for the past 2 hours!!! I was shocked and relieved, thankful and encouraged. One lymph-node was removed and was benign. Great news!
5:15pm My husband came back to recovery. I was able to sit up, get dressed and stand without a problem. Some become nauseous and may even be dizzy. Me, I felt fine!
5:30pm I was placed in a wheelchair and taken to my car to go home… no complications, no overnight stay needed!!! Go home, rest and relax!
At home, especially the next couple of days, I was sore and did not have the complete use of my left side where I had my surgery. I have to sleep on one side or on my back so I do not pull or put pressure on my stitches. The first 48 hours, I had to wear a bandage wrap around my chest to my underarm where they took the lymph node. I must wear a sports bra 24/7 until I have my follow-up appointment and be careful not to pull the dressing off or get it soaked with water. It’s a little uncomfortable, however, it’s getting better day to day and it sure beats having a cancerous tumor!!!
Overall, I am thankful for God’s mercy and grace and his work with my team of health care professionals. This process has been tough and at times down right painful, but prayer, my husband, son, family, and friends have helped me through!
My CANcer Wisdom to You: What doesn’t kill you, should make you stronger!
My CANcer Chronicles Blog Posts 