Paperwork to Pain Management

We were at Seton Hospital Williamson County by 5:45 AM to begin the paperwork processing part of surgery day. The completion of medical releases and consent forms was followed by the punctuation of an IV. Sarah looked radiant in a breezy peek-a-boo hospital gown that I am sure was not Vera Wang. Wrist bands and fuzzy socks accessorized the ensemble. I was able to stay with her until 7:15 AM when she was then wheeled to the OR.

Part I of the surgery, the bilateral mastectomy, was completed by 10:20 AM. The doctor reported that Sarah did great and that two lymph nodes were removed. The wonderful news is that the initial pathology report on the lymph nodes is negative. The final pathology report is due Thursday or Friday and this will better determine the course of further treatment.

Part II of the surgery, the reconstruction phase took more time. At several points during both parts of the surgeries, an attending RN phoned me to report progress and to provide updates, usually just saying things were progressing well and that Sarah was responding favorably to the anesthesia. It was a kind gesture, though. Throughout the day, Sarah and I have been treated by all hospital staff with kindness and respect as they very professionally carried out their duties. To the Seton Williamson County staff and the physicians who practice there, thank you.
It was not until 3:45 PM that the plastic surgeon and his colleague came out to report Sarah had done outstanding; “that things went as well as could be expected”, and that Sarah would be in recovery for awhile before I would get to see her. Sarah was then transported to the ICU not so much for medical precaution but upon request of the plastic surgeon so that he could better monitor tissue transplant. It wasn’t until about 5:30 PM that I was able to see her, she looks beautiful. It’s funny; she groggily says her day has felt like two minutes, mine felt a little longer.

It is now evening and Sarah is reaching that point where the anesthesia is wearing off and pain is setting in. The nurse has given her a device which allows the patient to dispense pain medication in small increments as needed. So, here we sit, I looking at her and breathing sighs of relief; Sarah, looking at the back of her eyelids and just now settling into what I recognize as a familiar and relaxed breathing pattern.

To all:
We have been humbled by the overwhelming support that all have offered to Sarah and our family, thank you for your thoughts and prayers. Let me also report that prayer works. There is both a strength and peace that we certainly feel entering upon this journey. You have lifted us up. We shall see what the next few days bring, but we enter them feeling truly blessed.