I got to see Dr. Livingston one more time as she was the one to remove it. I did not have to be put under anesthesia or any type of sedation, but it was performed in an operating room down at St. Luke's. Beth accompanied me for one more surgery. I had to check in at 7:30 am; the procedure was scheduled for 9 am and would take about 30 minute. I checked in at the hospital just like my other surgeries and had to do most of the same pre-op stuff. I didn't have to get an IV or talk to an anesthesiologist at all, and I didn't have to have those plastic things on my legs. And I could leave my contacts in. I did have to wear a hospital gown (and nothing else) and they monitored my vital signs and all that. Dr. Livingston popped by to say hello while I was still in the pre-op and shortly after that they wheeled me back to the OR. (I'm hoping these will be the last pictures of me in a hospital gown in the pre-op for a LONG time!)
They had me scoot onto the operating table and then piled probably at least four heated blankets on me. It felt really good because it was cold! I had already been warned they would have to restrain me, but that it was just for safety reasons. I was picturing restraints like you see on crazy people in the movies but it wasn't like that. There was a strap over my thighs and then for my arms there was a purple sheet under me than hung down on each side. They wrapped the ends around each arm and tucked them in some special way. They said they didn't want me to try and help with the surgery... or try to scratch an itch or something like that. I asked if they do this when the patient is asleep... yes they do.
I think a couple of the nurses in the room must have been newer, or maybe it was just their first time where the patient was not under anesthesia, because there was one nurse who was explaining a lot of things to them. Also she was saying things like, "Now, when the patient it awake like this it's good to make sure and talk to them and explain all the things you are doing and sounds they are hearing. The doors are loud, the table is loud, and so on." Of course I had to pipe in and say that yes, for me at least, I am less nervous when I know what to expect.
They hooked me up to a heart monitor and I had a blood pressure cuff and that finger/oxygen thing on my finger. One of the nurses then warned me she was going to put this "grounding" pad on my leg and it would be cold really cold. I asked, "Ground, like for electricity?" and she said yes, it was just in case they needed to cauterize anything. She wasn't kidding about it being cold! But once it was on I didn't notice it.
I'd heard Dr. Livingston used to perform this procedure in her office. She said she did, but it was so much easier to just do it at the hospital because all the supplies were there and also it was easier to ensure a sterile environment. She said there are some patients who opt to be put under anesthesia, but it's really not necessary. When the nurse had called me to schedule the procedure I was a little nervous to think I'd be awake while being sliced into, but she assured me it would be fine. I didn't want to have to be under anesthesia if I didn't have to and felt I could handle it. There at the hospital I didn't ever feel too nervous. It was nice to not have to put my body through anesthesia sedation.
A nurse cleansed the surgical site with iodine. It was cold and drippy. The next step was to place all of the drapes. So I couldn't actually see anyone or anything because I was under this blue drape. The part that went over my head was clipped to some poles on either side to keep it off of my face and there was one nurse whose job was basically to keep the fabric/paper off my face with her hand and to help me if I had an itch on my nose or anything like that. She also reminded me to not forget to breath. From what I could hear, the only thing left exposed was a triangular shape around the port which was near my collar bone. I asked what the port looked like and they said they could save it and show me when the procedure was completed.
Dr. Livingston said she was ready to go and the first thing she would do was she would numb the area with a local anesthetic. There was a slight pinch and sting when she started, but it didn't take long before I couldn't feel anything. I have no idea when she actually made the incision. It was kind of crazy because while she was working we chatted... she asked if I had plans for the weekend and the summer. At one point, she asked a nurse what happened to the music? There was kind of elevator music that had been playing. Just then it came back on. I said how I never thought about them playing music in the OR. She said oh yes, and some doctors play some pretty heavy rock and roll but she just likes something relaxing and how the background noise is nice.
She explained that the first thing she was doing was removing some sutures that had been holding the port in place. I didn't realize it was stitched in there, but she said they do that so that it can't flip over and then the nurses would be unable to access the actual port. I could sort of feel a little pulling or pressure but nothing painful. I'm not sure when she actually pulled the whole thing out. The next "feeling" was this really weird sensation that I don't know how to describe. It was weird. A few moments later she said that my port was officially out. I was so happy to hear that. A tear slipped onto my cheek. Dr. Livingston stitched the incision with dissolvable sutures, then a couple steri-strips followed by a dressing with tegaderm over it so I can shower and not worry about it getting wet. I'm supposed to leave the dressing on and not do any heavy lifting for five days.
A few minutes later I was all closed up and they took the drapes down. I was so glad because at this point, with the warm blankets and a couple hot flashes I was burning up. Now the coolness of the OR felt great! I thanked Dr. Livingston again for everything and she wished me well. A couple nurses came in to get me moved to the post-anesthesia care unit (PACU - I know what it's called because that is where my sister-in-law Sarah works, but not on Fridays of course). They were all prepared with a board to move me from the operating table to a bed and we quite surprised to find a patient that was wide awake... so I was able to move myself onto the bed.
They wheeled me back to the PACU where it took longer to complete the paperwork then for me to be ready to go home. I had a soda while I waited. It probably took about 15-20 minutes and then I was released to go. I didn't even have to ride in a wheelchair and was able to walk out on my own. Beth and I went to grab an early lunch and then she went with me to my radiation appointment. It was like a field trip... she got to see how they position me and all the machines and go in the control room with them when they administer the radiation.
Back at home I got Bryce down for a nap and then I took a nap myself. My incision site has been a little tender but not bad. I've taken some ibuprofen off and on and iced it a few times. A couple more days and I can take the bandage off. A few... ok 6... more weeks of radiation and I'll be done with that, too!
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