In pre op, the usual activities occurred and I met my "team." Once again, I kept asking "Do I have to stay overnight?!" Everyone kept deferring to my PS. When I asked him, he first shook his head (because I am sure he knew it was coming) and then told me he couldn't tell me a definitive yes or no. It all depended on what time the surgery ended, if I had a drain, etc. NOT the answer I was looking for, but oh well. He also told me he had just found out that my implant he ordered for me was not at Shands because of the weather in the Northeast, but had secured me one very similar. No stress - I trust him and didn't even know what the missing one was anyways.
Next came the part that I always find myself laughing about at some point - the drawing and pictures. Before every surgery with him, my PS takes out his handy blue marker, measuring tape, and various tools, and turns my chest into a Pictionary game. He commented that this would be our last "drawing session" and reminisced on our conversations the first time. He was also explaining a lot because he had a resident surgeon with him. He again brought up the length of my scar due to "previous surgeries at an outside institution" and how he wishes he could fix them for me. Once again, I reminded him that it didn't matter to me. After the blue marker explosion on my chest, we took the pictures and then it was pretty much go time.
Got into the OR and got introduced to the remaining members of my team, and got to finally see my PS in scrubs! I had only ever seen him in a suit and tie before. The head anesthesiologist came in and asked for the diagnosis. Without a hesitation, my PS said "Breast Cancer." My face must have given me away, because he quickly grabbed my hand and said "but it is all gone now. We are just finishing up the journey."
He continued to hold my hand until the anesthesia kicked in.
When I came to, I was in recovery and my Jay was there smiling at me. Eating Flips. Yep. That's my husband. Wouldn't expect it any other way :) I very quickly asked "Am I staying?" and Jay nodded his head. He also told me that when my PS told him that he asked him if he would tell me. My PS quickly said "No, sorry...I have an appointment." Makes me laugh because I can totally see this conversation taking place. I also had an oxygen tube in my nose. This was a first for me, and honestly freaked me out a little.
For hours, they kept telling me they were trying to find me a room. Around 11, my nurse got me an actual bed, which made a huge difference. They also told me they got word that there would possibly be a room at some point. Around 11:30, my night nurse came. She was WONDERFUL. She didn't seem to think I would be getting a room anytime soon, and I was the only one still in there, so she went to the discharge section and got a recliner for Jay to sleep in. She also turned all of the lights out and I even heard her at some point shushing people. She even turned down my monitors so the beeping wouldn't keep me up. She believed that sleep was the most important thing for healing and made sure that I would get enough. So yes, I had to sleep in recovery, my Nurse Jackie made it as comfortable as possible for me and I will love her forever for that.
The next morning, my PS stuck his head around the curtain and asked if I wanted to hit him for making me stay the night, and in the recovery room nonetheless. I told him of course not, but was still not happy about it. He checked me out and said all looked good. He also said he would start working on getting me out by mid morning. I wish my morning nurse was on the same page. She was awful. And Lazy. She seemed more interested in cleaning and organizing then actually helping. I even heard other nurses snapping at her for essentially being in the way. After her telling us she was doing one thing, and then sitting and waiting...and waiting...Jay finally snapped into "Mr." mode and lit a fire under her.
Soon I had a man from plastics down to pull my drain. Yes, I had another drain, but thankfully not long enough to even name it. After him, I had another lovely nurse who was amazing at moving along my discharge process so that I could get home. What a difference a nice and competent nurse makes!
The next step was in the car, home, and on the couch. Boy was I happy to be in my yoga pants and on my own couch!
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