Remembering how it all started back on September 19, 2012. I
could not keep liquids of any kind down, or get out of bed. It was even painful
to lay there or sleep. I had been miserably sick for over four days when I
asked the love of my life to take me to the hospital. I packed my little black
bag that I was so accustomed to carrying on trips to the hospital with my honey
during his cancer illness. Just grabbed the important stuff; my ID and
insurance card, the Kindle, head phones, E-cigarette & charger, and of
course my regular cigarettes, etc. Steven proceeded to take me to Sherman Hospital
in Elgin, IL, though he was still not feeling well following his successful
cancer treatment! They plugged me into an IV and hooked me up to all the
machines then gave me a shot of Zofran to settle my stomach, and a shot of
morphine for the pain from throwing up and dry heaving. I had to drink a nasty
mix of potassium before they continued to run every test known to man (or so I
thought). The blood work first of course, followed by chest x-ray, EKG, ultra
sound, CAT scan, and so on and on and on.
The room was finally quiet and I was resting very
uncomfortably while Steven sat bedside reading his book. The ER Dr. sailed into
the room announcing all my test were good EXCEPT on my chest x-ray where there
was a nodule on my lung that I should look into.
(I might fill in all the craziness happening in between
these times, but for now I just want to get everyone updated).
I am going to fast forward the story to Dec 3, 2012, my
biopsy at University of
Chicago with specialist Dr. Kyle
Hogarth. He delivered my diagnosis of cancer on the lung. A rare strand
usually found in NON-smoking women over the age of 65. I’m still scratching my
head on that one. They are “cautiously optimistic” that it is not in the lymph
node.
We were able to sit down with Dr. Michael
Maitland MD, Ph.D, a medical oncologist on Dec 11, 2012. He started with my
medical and family history and all the information they didn't have since I
just popped in from the suburbs with no referral or anything. Then he explained
that it should be operable, and depending on the biopsy after surgery I might
not need chemotherapy! When we left we had an appointment to meet with a
surgeon on Dec 21, 2012.
So yesterday was Friday, December 21st. Our
appointment was scheduled for 9:15 am with a pulmonary function test to follow
at 10:15 am. They even threw in a 12:00 pm with Pre Op Anesthesia that I was not
aware of until getting the fax confirming my appointments the night before. The
big snow storm that was supposed to roll in on Thursday night didn’t happen,
but it was still freezing and wet. So we decided to leave at 5:45 am, making
room for any complications on this already 1-2 hour treacherous drive that we
have become accustomed to. The drive was a bit nasty with the people who forget
how to drive when a drop of snow occurs for the first time, but uneventful,
thank God. We arrived at the parking garage approximately 7:00 am, so we had
time to crawl in the back and take a nap, another thing we have become accustomed
to during this year’s cancer treatments and visits for Steven. Alarm was set
for 8:30 am, but my immediate need to use the bathroom came over me about
8:15 am, so we gathered our hospital gear and headed for the DCAM building.
After relieving myself of my morning coffee and combing my hair, I met my punky
pie in our usual spot. I still had time for a cigarette before my appointment,
so I headed out into the cold (I’m such an idiot sometimes), while Steven
smartly waited in the warm area by the coffee shop.
Arrived 5th floor, module 5B, and was promptly
checked in around 9:00 am. We went to sit in the waiting area. I had just pulled
out the Kindle and Steven stepped away to the washroom, they were already
calling me in back! I’m thinkin’ this is pretty cool, get in, get out, and get
on with the rest of everything going on today. She took me for my vitals and to go over my
drug list, then put me in my room for the Dr. Suddenly I hear my love calling
out my name, in his deep whisper voice…..I think everyone heard him, but he
found meJ
Steven pulled out his book, and me, the Kindle to pass the time. Well, the darned time passed alright. It was 10:05
already, and still no doctor. My
pulmonary function test was in 10 minutes! My honey, always taking care of me,
went out front to find out what the hey! Very last minute schedule change, go
take the pulmonary function test and then come back, that way the doctor could view
the results before going forward.
Got me hooked up right away, and I could even see the
monitor screen this time, that was kind of encouraging. He explained everything
as we went along, and I completed every test, and I am still breathing, so I’m
taking that as a good thing! He finished the different tests in a timely
fashion, and we were on our way back to the first appointment.
Arriving back at module 5B before 11:00 am, we were nodded
to take a seat for just a moment. A tech showed up and took us back right away,
and then we were back in the room to wait for the surgeon again. Within a few minutes, we met with surgeon Wickii T.
Vigneswaran MD, FACS. He went over all the different risks involved, and
explained that it is planned to be a robotic
surgery, but if for any reason that is not suitable at the time of surgery,
he would have to cut me a bit further to get to it himself. We began to set the
date for surgery, and I thought that was going to break out into an argument,
but I bit my tongue. We were about decided on Jan 2nd, when he
realized I hadn't quit smoking yet, he demanded that I quit today. I told him,
my plan is in place to quit on Christmas, and that is what I am sticking to. He
continued to move the date to January 9, 2012, as he repeatedly told me to quit
today, looking at me, knowing that I was not going to quit until Christmas! Ha!
We also went over the different consent forms, reminding me they are a teaching
hospital, and that my surgery could be observed by up to 6 students. I don’t
have a problem with that…….
1. Having a doctor with enough experience to be an expert
and a teacher work on me is an honor.
2. Everyone who wants to practice medicine needs to have the
opportunity to get the experience in which to practice.
3. Why in the heck should I care, I will be asleep before
they come in, and they won’t be standing over me in recovery.
Next and last on the list is the 12:00 pm Pre Op Anesthesia
appointment on the 2nd floor, module 2E. We hardly waited in the
waiting area 5 minutes before being called back. We went over all current
medications and the general questions before I would be put under. Both the
doctor and her assistant were female. They were excellent in explaining their
part in my surgery. It is up to them to stick a giant tube down my throat AFTER
I fall asleep, while hooking up a few extra IV’s. It was in my understanding that
it is also their job to support and keep my good lung breathing, while the
other one is being worked on. They were professional and complete in all
answers to questions and explanations. I would have asked for a business card,
but they are some of the top quality professionals that have worked with me
that I won’t be running into again.
Finally it was time for the journey home. I think that
always gives us a sense of peace, as we look back on another day of completed doctor
visits. While the drive home was congested, it always seems nicer traveling
home bound at any time of day. Of course as we near our home we mention to each
other “Tinker’s home”, and smile as we pull into the driveway.
Next appointment before surgery is Christmas Eve. We get to
spend the morning of December 24th getting my full body PET scan. Oh
boy! I can hardly wait (I say facetiously)!
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