Rantings

Surgery went well on Tuesday with no ill effects from the anaesthetic. Recovered quickly and was sent home within a couple of hours of waking up.

The incision is bigger than I had expected ... about 1.5 - 2 inches ... but as the lump was half an inch across itself and it was quite deep I suppose that's only to be expected. No visible sutures, just steristrips and a dressing.

Trouble is, I'm not exactly small in the boob department and the weight of it pulling on my wound hurts like hell, so I'm having to wear an industrial strength 3-hook bra to hoist them up and hold them still so that I can move around and do stuff. The painkillers I've been prescribed are pretty effective but have got me off me head, so no driving for me till I stop taking them.

I have about a three week wait till hear the histology results. As the biopsy itself proved innocent I'm not expecting anything different from the whole lump. The doctor said there was a 1 in 1,000 chance of it being nasty, so no worries there.

I'm now attempting to do some housework, but there are only so many jobs I can do which don't hurt. I've already cleaned the kitchen and the bathroom. I should really try to tackle the living room, now.

I had my pre-op assessment yesterday morning. It went ok, nothing to worry about for me. Apart from being overweight, I'm fit and healthy, so everything is going ahead as planned.

So, the date for the op is 27th March - a week today! I am nervous, naturally, and I've told Mr Lisa exactly that. He has to be there for me ... not at work. I've told him in no uncertain terms that he has to get his priorities right and he has to be there to look after me at home. I don't want anyone else visiting me.

I'll be admitted at 8am, but I have absolutely no idea what time I will be discharged. I have to ring the hospital to find out what the procedure is.

I know I may sound like I'm making a big thing out out of this as I am only having a small lump removed, but it is a big thing to me. I will be putting my life in the hands of a stranger (the anaesthetist) who will administer a controlled poison in order to bring me to a state close the death. Then another stranger will be cutting into and invading my body. This is all, to me, utterly terrifying and I have to prepare myself mentally for the whole thing. On top of all of that, I still have a worry that the lump may not be innocent. I know I have had a biopsy and it was benign, but my consultant told me he would still want to have me back for another in May if I didn't opt for surgery, to make sure it hadn't changed. This, to me, means it could change, and may have already changed by the time it's removed, so I will have another wait after the surgery until I get the results back from pathology.


This is going to be a long week. I can tell.

Being a sci-fi nerd with my geek compass pointing torchwards and tardiswards, is it any wonder I have to do this?

Happy 40th birthday Mr B!

[waves in the general direction of Cardiff]

Ok, geek moment over. As you were, folks.

Thought I'd just mention the dates I have ... earlier than expected, too.

Monday 19th March I go for a pre-operative assessment.

Tuesday 27th March I have surgery, providing the results of the 19th are all ok.

Yes, I'm nervous, who wouldn't be? And yes, I will be back to work the next day, and I will be back at the Theatre Group on the Thursday evening. Just give me drugs!! I need painkillers!

As the sister of a mad cat woman, I know this to be true. See what you think.

Cat Proximity

Via John Scalzi

Enjoy!