It's Over!

A successful outpatient surgery is a thing of the past and a great excuse to spend the next day just relaxing, reading, planning our trip to Canada. The doctor didn't have to go too deep or wide and there's not much pain today if I don't move around too much, so it's all good. I won't be going to any nude beaches any time soon but that shouldn't affect my lifestyle too much!

I had successfully blocked out of my mind the needle localization, and I'm glad I didn't realize I would have to go through that again. I was appalled when I was ushered into the chamber of horrors and the memories came back. I should have insisted they give me some happy juice before this procedure. This is no ordinary mammogram. This is a mammogram where you remain crushed in position, flattened horizontally then vertically, while the tech grabs the plate and runs out to develop it each time. Then they take some measurements from the picture, insert the needle, and take more pictures which need to be developed to make sure the needle is where it needs to be so that the surgeon knows just where to go. A digital machine would make this procedure so much easier, but apparently its outrageously expensive and not in the budget just now.

During all the waiting periods, I sat facing the corner of the room trapped by the nearly unbearable pressure of the mammogram machine, and it seemed odd to be making small talk with the doctor behind or beside me, out of my line of sight. The anesthesiologist even came in to introduce himself, standing behind me where I couldn't see him! Quite disappointing, because I really love those guys! After the needle was inserted, (OUCH!!!) I looked down and saw that it very thin and flexible, sticking up about six inches with a white flag attached to the end. I had to laugh, and I told the doctor about my dear artistic friend who recently had a large, nasty, but non-malignant tumor removed from her breast. She has some interesting breast artwork on her blog, and I bet she could do something really creative with a flag-topped needle sticking out of a flattened breast! Sadly, no one offered to whip out their cell phone and take a picture of it for me. A great art possibility lost forever. The last and most painful thing was another needle to insert some blue dye. They had the nerve to tell me that some people don't even feel it. I felt every stinging drop!!

We had to be at the hospital at 10:30. Will didn't get to join me in my room until I had gowned up, and when he arrived he was grumbling about his escort pointing out how dark he was. We came prepared with crossword puzzles - we work them very well together, and only had time to do one during the waiting time. At 11:30 I was taken to the mammogram chamber of horrors for an hour, then it was time for the surgery. Last time I woke up laughing uncontrollably, no such luck this time! We were back home a little after 4:00.

Will was kind enough to order pizza for dinner. When he opened the door, I heard the delivery girl say, "Wow, that's quite a tan you have." He replied, "Yeah, my wife doesn't let me come inside very often" She commented on how nice the yard looked. Like he got that tan from working in the yard! Apparently she didn't notice the boat! So if you see Will, make sure you comment on how dark he is or how big his dog's feet are. He just loves hearing both of those things! We spent a relaxing evening watching John Wayne movies from a collection Nick gave to Will for Father's Day. Westerns made in 1935 are funny!

I am very grateful to my friends and family who have supported me with their thoughts and prayers during this time. I also really appreciate all the excellent medical professionals who helped us through this whole ordeal. They inspired confidence and had a sense of humor besides. But after my follow-up doctor appointment on Tuesday, I hope I don't have to see any of them for a very long time!