How our lives have changed in just under a month--Surgery day is here!

 The surgery scheduling staff threw us a curve ball and instead of us arriving at 0900 they wanted her to check in at 0730 with the surgery still scheduled at 1100.  After calling in some favors from our old next door neighbors to assist with the transport of our little one to school and to look after the animals while we were away.  Thanks Sandee and Nancy!!!



Dawn, better known today as #191325 got checked in and was promptly called back into the pre-op area.  She was issued a nice purple paper gown with matching socks.  We were able to have a little fun with that, as you can see above.  I'm not sure how she could smile or joke knowing what was ahead, but nevertheless I was glad to see her smiling.  The nurse came in and introduced herself then explained the series of events that would take place to get her ready for surgery.  Lots of redundant questions (triple checking never hurts), starting of IVs, heart monitor leads placed, O2 saturation attached to her finger, and sequential compression devices to her legs that help prevent blood clots during surgery.  Now it was time to wait.....


We were informed that her surgery was going to be pushed back a bit, as the surgeon was still in the OR with another patient.  She tried to relax but between the paper gown and plastic blood pressure cuff, she was uncomfortable.  The anesthesiologist came around and did his assessment then explained his role as the surgery was performed.  More waiting....


Finally at 12 noon things started hopping.  Her surgeon came in and marked the breast to be removed, while asking her if she had any additional questions.  She told her surgeon "No".  It was time and she began to cry.  Her mom and I hugged her and reassured her that everything was going to be OK.  Just then, another nurse came in and noticed that she had been crying.  She asked Dawn if she was crying about the surgery or because she was scared.  Dawn indicated the later.  She also reassured Dawn and told her that she had been through and similar experience in the past when she battled a "weird form of Lymphoma".  She encouraged Dawn to think about the good that would come from this surgery...mainly ridding her body of this cancer and one step closer to "kicking its ass"--her quote not mine :)  I'm certain that just that little effort on her part to comfort Dawn help ease her anxiety, if only just a bit.....and I really appreciated that.


We gave our last hugs and kisses and then she was off to surgery......


The waiting room monitor displays where Dawn is every step of the way.  It's close to 3 p.m. now, so we should be hearing from the surgeon before long.  I'm hoping she has good news about the lymph nodes and that there was no detectable cancer noted in them.  I will post again when I know more,  For now, just keep her in your prayers.....
Judith Hahn
10/17/2012 08:45:56 am

I had the same kind/color of gown and socks!!! Still not any privacy for the back side!

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Sharlane
10/17/2012 03:28:22 pm

My prayers go to Dawn and the rest of the family. Thanks for the blog updates. Please let us know if there is anything we can do.

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Tammy
10/17/2012 11:07:46 pm

Totally agree with the nurse! She's gonna kick it's ass!! Around the block and back again.

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    My name is Barry, other's know me as Robbie.  This Blog is my way of trying to shed some light on how husbands also experience and fight Breast Cancer.

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    October 2012