continued from previous entry...
Back in my 'bed' room, we now had about an hour to wait. As the hour appointed for surgery approached (11:45), I said a personal prayer at 11:30 and felt all would be well. The confidence expressed by others now returned to my mind and heart. How very uplifting to be reminded of them! Rex and I also prayed.
A Few Last Questions
The surgeon came in to our room at 12:05. We asked her a few questions and she answered:
1) We assumed she'd looked at both the original biopsy ultrasound and the recent one taken today. Did there appear to her to be any / much difference?
She said that measuring the tumor is not an exact science but it appeared to her that there was not any dramatic difference between the two as far as she could tell.
2) When could we get the information of whether I was estrogen or progesterone receptor positive?
Dr. L said that it would take about a week and to call her office. She then said Rex and I should come in for a follow-up visit with her on Monday or Tuesday when the final pathologist report had been received.
The Surgery as I Experienced It
The hour had finally come. At 12:15 or so, I was wheeled into the operating room. I do not believe the surgeon, Dr. L, was there yet - just the nurses, techs, and attendant doctors (anesthesiologist, etc.)
This was the most stressful part of the whole day. All four of my limbs were being handled at once. A nurse on either leg dressed me in a blood pressure-like tourniquet that extended all the way up each leg. During the operation, this apparatus would be consistently pumped full of air and then released. This was to make sure that the blood in my legs would continue to circulate. It was actually quite a comforting feeling... On my right arm, a nurse was applying the blood pressure cuff. On my left side, a nurse was cleansing the affected breast. The anesthesiologist readied my left arm for the pain-killing medication. A fifth nurse lifted my head and rested it upon a comfortable pillow. Lastly, a male nurse at my left side said, "If you're a good girl today, we might let you take home the (flimsy) blue shower cap on your head." Such a comedian! That made me laugh for a little bit.
The anesthesia began to work. I went out like a light again and didn't feel another thing until waking up shortly before 3 PM. At 1:00 PM, Rex asked about the progress but wasn't given any real information. Shortly before 2:00 PM, a nurse said that the doctor had been delayed and that the operation had begun later than expected. At 2:00 PM, a nurse told Rex that they had finished retrieving the sentinel lymph node and had proceeded on to the lumpectomy. At 2:35 PM, a nurse reported that Dr. L closing and would come soon with a report.
At 2:50, Dr. L gave this report to Rex and waiting family members:
1) The sentinel node tested negative for cancer cells
2) The node will be given a more in-depth test.
In Dr. Livingston's experience, there's only a 1 in 50 or 100 chance that the more comprehensive test will reveal cancer cells.
3) The tumor removed was about 2 cm and she removed an extra centimeter margin around it.
4) The tumor was well centered in the removed mass and there was good margin over the entire area.
5) The tumor was well defined and did not have extended tentacles or the like.
6) She could not detect visually if there were dead cancer cells, nor saw anything indicating recent changes, but went on to say that with visual observation, you probably wouldn't see that. That would come from a laboratory test.
All of the above was good news, especially 1, 4 and 5.
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