"Unexpected Weekend Trip"

So, that wasn't exactly the weekend that I had planned. Let me back up. After my chemo on Wednesday, I went home to rest until I noticed that my port was hurting and even more uncomfortable when trying to go to sleep. So, I went into the clinic on Friday morning. After a chest X-ray, a dye test (which was painful) and a CT scan, I was told to go to the hospital. My port had a crack/a leak and had to come out. This was not welcome news, especially since I'm not done using it yet!

The surgery team came to my hospital room and told me it would be a "no big deal" 15 minute procedure to take the port out. I, personally, do not like the idea of being wide awake and nothing but numbed while someone is cutting on me! I could tell they were having problems. A nurse then came in to hold my hand while they worked. They went through a whole bottle of lidocaine because I kept feeling it! About 45 minutes after they started the "easy 15 minute procedure" it was done and the doctor declared it the hardest one he has ever taken out. Great. They stitched me up, gave me pain pills and put me on an IV med. I was hoping to come home then.

Instead, I had to miss Kaylee's first ever basketball game on Saturday afternoon because they made me stay two nights! Due to the possibility of chemo leakage, I had to be given three rounds of some antidote medication about 24 hours apart. I got the last one just before Sunday evening and was then allowed to go home! I'm sore and tired (no such thing as sleep in a hospital). Now, I have to see a doctor to figure out what we do about the rest of the chemo treatments. I won't be getting another port, that much I have decided.

"Sore, Tired and Recovering"

I'm sore! I'm tired! I'm laying around in my PJ's! Yesterday was a long day. We didn't get home from the hospital until about 6:00 p.m. Sleeping was fine, until I woke up with pain. I want to shake the hand of the person that invented pain pills (and I'm not talking about whiskey).

I have about three ugly marks on the my left side where the chest port was placed. Oh, it felt nice when Jayce accidentally slapped it (note to self: do not bend down so close to 11 month old)! I have my most painful incision under my right arm where the three lymph nodes were removed. I haven't seen the rest, it is all bandaged up and has to stay that way until Wednesday when I see the surgeon.

On the up side, I couldn't have had a nicer surgeon, nurses and other hospital personnel. It went just as smooth as it could have.

Also, I couldn't have a nicer family! Mom and Dad are taking care of the house and the kids while I rest. I got several nice phone calls, a gift from a friend, flowers from my daughter to brighten my day and another flower delivery from my Aunt and Uncle and Grandpa and Grandma. When you feel sore and cruddy, it is nice to feel loved!