Thursday, August 14, 2008
Tumor Free!
I just got a call from Dr. Butler and she said my margins are clear. I'm done! It's over! I'm finished! The misery is ended!
Slow Mohs #2
Before . . . . . .
After . . . . . .
The dots on the before picture are for measurement purposes. Yes! They drew on me.
Forks, Scalpels and the Smell of Roast Beef Round Two
It was nice to have Chris with me for this surgery. It was just more of the same. They took out another piece of skin and sewed me shut again. Each time I feel more and more that my armpit is becoming my shoulder blade or vise versa. We are still waiting to hear if the whole tumor has been removed.
If this surgery doesn't work I talked to the doctors about an experimental surgery. They were all to eager to give it a name. I suggested that they sharpen an ice cream scoop and just dig it out. Dr. Fosko named it the Super Scoop. The nurse renamed it the Fosko Super Scoop. They thought I was joking! Can you believe that?
Before I divulge the next part of the story I have to give you a disclaimer. Chris was an EMT in Provo and saw all kinds of gross stuff. He has always had a strong stomach and has never been fazed by blood or gore.
The doctors let him stay in the room but he had to sit in a chair by the door. The rooms are small enough that he could still see everything. They got to the part where my insides are hanging wide open and he decided he needed to leave for a few minutes but before he can get through his sentence to tell them where he's going he blacked out. Luckily he was still sitting in the chair and I'm the most fabulous tumor doner they've seen in a while so there was gobs of people in there. The head (Dr. Fosko - pictured above) recognized what was happening before Chris did and ran over and wrapped his arms around Chris's legs just as he blacked out. So Chris woke up to a man with the most fabulous mustache right in his face! Once conscious he had to lay on the floor for a few minutes. Because he couldn't get up he missed the smell of my roast beef. That's what he gets for stealing the spotlight. When he could walk he was escorted to his own operating room, reclining operating chair, pillow, and a snack! I didn't even get a snack!
The day after surgery they called to check on me and make sure everything was going okay and then they asked about Chris. I just had to laugh. He really was the life of the party! It will be an experience we won't soon forget.
If this surgery doesn't work I talked to the doctors about an experimental surgery. They were all to eager to give it a name. I suggested that they sharpen an ice cream scoop and just dig it out. Dr. Fosko named it the Super Scoop. The nurse renamed it the Fosko Super Scoop. They thought I was joking! Can you believe that?
Before I divulge the next part of the story I have to give you a disclaimer. Chris was an EMT in Provo and saw all kinds of gross stuff. He has always had a strong stomach and has never been fazed by blood or gore.
The doctors let him stay in the room but he had to sit in a chair by the door. The rooms are small enough that he could still see everything. They got to the part where my insides are hanging wide open and he decided he needed to leave for a few minutes but before he can get through his sentence to tell them where he's going he blacked out. Luckily he was still sitting in the chair and I'm the most fabulous tumor doner they've seen in a while so there was gobs of people in there. The head (Dr. Fosko - pictured above) recognized what was happening before Chris did and ran over and wrapped his arms around Chris's legs just as he blacked out. So Chris woke up to a man with the most fabulous mustache right in his face! Once conscious he had to lay on the floor for a few minutes. Because he couldn't get up he missed the smell of my roast beef. That's what he gets for stealing the spotlight. When he could walk he was escorted to his own operating room, reclining operating chair, pillow, and a snack! I didn't even get a snack!
The day after surgery they called to check on me and make sure everything was going okay and then they asked about Chris. I just had to laugh. He really was the life of the party! It will be an experience we won't soon forget.
Friday, August 1, 2008
You want another piece of me?
Monday I went to my follow up and everything looked good. They sent me home and said I was done. Wednesday the good Doc called and said that I need to come back for round two of Slow Mohs. There was scar tissue at the margin which means that there could be more tumor deeper in my skin. I'm not happy. Round two is scheduled for Wednesday August 6. Chris will be able to come with me this time. I hope they let him stay for the surgery part of it. If they don't I may have to throw a tantrum! Maybe I'll throw a tantrum anyway.
I'm coming up with a list of things I can do with the kids our last week together before surgery and our last week before school starts which will be my recovery period. The later is a little more difficult because I will only have the use of one arm and I may not be able to drive depending on the drugs they prescribe. Any ideas would be great. A whole list would be better. Please leave a comment.
I'm coming up with a list of things I can do with the kids our last week together before surgery and our last week before school starts which will be my recovery period. The later is a little more difficult because I will only have the use of one arm and I may not be able to drive depending on the drugs they prescribe. Any ideas would be great. A whole list would be better. Please leave a comment.
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