Much Ado About Absolutely Nothing

I had an appointment yesterday for an Xray and post-op check up. Xray was great. The trouble began when I waited two and a half hours to see the nurse practitioner. One of the things she checked was my oxygen level -- they use a little device that clamps on your finger. Sitting down it was fine -- 99. Then she wanted me to walk the halls a little and take a new reading. This time it was 77 -- not so fine.

She conferred with the doctor, who was afraid the drop might be caused by a blood clot in the lung -- which would mean daily shots of Lovanox until I could go on Coumadine. So he ordered a CT scan. After waiting two hours for the scan, I found out they wanted to do it with an iodine dye for contrast. The only thing I have ever been allergic to in my life is iodine dye -- which meant that I had to go on an 18 hour protocol of Prednesone. And I would have to check in to the hospital because they were afraid to let me go home with an oxygen level of 77.

Two hours later (are you beginning to see the pattern?) I was in a room. As the intern, resident and nurse began taking down all the data, Jack said he thought I should walk around the corridor and take another oxygen level. This time it didn't go lower than 95.

While we were much relieved, the consensus was that we continue with the Prednesone and CT scan in the morning. So they start an IV, give me a shot of blood thinner and wake me up all night long to take vitals and give me pills. I the morning, Dr. DeHoyos came in and cancelled the CT scan. Based on the oxygen monitoring, he was convinced I did not have a blood clot in the lung, but ordered an ultra sound to make sure I didn't have one forming in my legs.

Bottom line: 26 hours later I was released with a clean bill of health. Joyce Knauff is convinced I was just looking for more attention. I am just grateful for Medicare and Blue Cross who pick up the bills. Of course, maybe if I didn't have Medicare and Blue Cross, they wouldn't order so many tests.

Recovery

I am amazing even myself. I am off pain pills, and I have my energy back. Of course, that may be due to fact that my acrylic nails were restored, I got a haircut and can wear a bra again. Regardless, except for shortness of breath and some nerve pain if I walk too far, I am pretty much good to go.

I plan to go back to the office next week. It may take a little long before I get back to acting. I need to get my breath back before I can do that.

Thanks to everyone who emailed, called, sent cards and gifts and offered prayers. The one big takeaway for me has been how lucky I am to have so many friends and such a loving family. It makes a huge difference to have a great support system.

All Clear

Thanks to Sondra Epstein, I just got the results of the pathology report -- and there is no cancer in the lymph nodes or the other sections of the lung that were removed.

When I left the hospital, around 1 pm, they still didn't have the report. I called a couple more times until Dr De Hoyos nurse was really pissed off. So I decided to go another route. As previously blogged. through Sondi and her friend Maria Bechilley, the president of the hospital had come to see me, gave me a card and asked me to call him if I needed anything. (Well, maybe he didn't actually say that, but what the hell.)

So when I got nowhere with the doctor, I called Stephen Falk, spoke to his secretary and told her that I was trying to get the lab report. She got Betty Buck in patient relations to call pathology. Betty not only called them, and got them to post the results, she got them to call Dr. De Hoyos as well.

So at 4:45, I got the all clear. Obviously, my family and I are much relieved.

Tomorrow, I will get my hair done. Then on to my nails.

Thank you for all your prayers and well wishes.

Very Social Day

This is to prove to Joyce I don't need retouching to take a good photo. This was taken the day after surgery. I am told that if all goes well, I will be released tomorrow. I am also hoping to have the results of the pathology tests tomorrow. Lots of visitors today -- Phyllis Malitz, Margot Wallace, Marsha Goldstein, Daniele Roberts and Joan Beugen. Yesterday, Daniele, Dan, and Kristi Peterson stopped by. Flowers from the office, the Glencoe Girls, the Roberts and Phyllis as well as other thoughtful gifts. Sondra Epstein, via Maria Bechilly sent the president of the hospital to pay his respects. My thanks to all of you. Proper handwritten notes to follow.

Taking a Breather

Got a little better explanation of surgery today. In addition to the upper right lobe, they took wedges from the middle and lower lobes as well as samples of lymph nodes around the lung and the bronchial tube. They biopsied frozen sections, which were clear. They still have to send to lab, which is the ultimate determinant. If these test are clear, I am home free. We won't know for sure until Thursday or Friday, but it looks good.

I am not in much pain even though I still have a tube in the lung, and I am starting to walk to halls. I also do my breath exercises, which are crucial to recovery.

The staff here has been great. Although they wake you up around 3:30 a.m., then don't feed you until 7:30. I enjoy your emails and blog comments. Keep them coming.

Road to Recovery II

All indicators continue to be good. Judi has several IVs and many pumps and electrical equipment but they are all delivering data which indicates recovery. Judi is blowing the little plastic tube 10 times per hour and the lung is rallying, compensating for it's lost lobe.

Judi is struggling to understand which tube does what and I dared to suggest that she "let go and let G-d" She was not so drugged that she was unable to suggest that for her this is a ridiculous idea, akin to meditating or "going with the flow".

We were sorry to see Nurse Katie go with her superior nursing skills combined with warmth and technological know how. These nurses have to be like engineers with all the equipment. But Nurse Stephanie had a hair do that Judi had to sit up and admire which she claimed to have done at the Vidal Sassoon shop at the Waterways. That may be Judi's first stop on the way home from the hospital.

Road to Recovery begins...

Judi arrived safely in the room, acting more alert than I expected. After asking for ice chips, her next inquiry was "how does my hair look?" Because there was no frizziness, she was able to rest easy pursuing a mint or ice chip.

The whole floor is for thorasic surgery and Nurse Katie O- is very efficient and immediately swung into action positioning Judi to reduce pressure sores and increase comfort and healing.

Nurse Practitioner Laurie is in the room reviewing with Jack his understanding of what occurred in the surgery and what to expect. She reported that the x-ray looked "fantastic" because the rest of the lung is already compensating for the part that was lost. "Lung function should be back to normal." She also reported that Jack's understanding was totally correct so the medical reports friends have been getting is accurate.

Nurse Katie is getting Judi to cough and just mentioned she is "grading her" so knowing how competitive Judi is- she will soon be the top cougher of the 11th floor.

"Best Possible Outcome"

In an accent that would have made the legislators of Arizona very nervous, the surgeon reported that the surgery had the "best possible outcome". Granted, he doesn't have to endure any

of the recuperation that Judi will have, but as is the case with so many hard working immigrants, "he did the job"

I was eating a grilled cheese sandwich (Judi was not available to remind me to get a salad instead) with Susan when the Dr. gave the report so neither Susan or I could ask the list of questions that Judi had given us to ask. But Jack asked the most important which was, "was it the best possible outcome?" Some results will have to wait for three days to get the full report but initial biopsy results appear very good.

Jack was able to sneak back to the recovery room and now I have a call that Susan and Jack are going into the room 1135- good news. so I am off to that room and will report later. stay tuned.

1st Report-

Judi is all checked in and is in surgery now. She gave her medical history at least three times, all the time asking when do they start the drugs. The adolescent annethesiologist resident assured Judi that he had a pocketful of miracles to relieve her every pain and angst but that she had to be lucid to answer all the physician's questions. I assured Judi that the attending anesthesiologist would surely be a grown up and not to worry but no, he was also very young also but both seemed competent.

The Surgeon, Dr. De Hoyos had that stereotyped, surgical, overly confident air of someone who is ready to take on any challenge and kick it's butt. Luckily he is not in Arizona so no fear that a sheriff will come in and check to see his passport.

Once they gave Judi something to relax, we began her usual sleep exercise by counting musicals instead of sheep. We got up to "I" before they rolled her into surgery. "E" was a little weak, if anyone has any suggestions.

I assured Judi that even though she eats shell fish that G-d knows how many people she has helped in her life, that everyone was praying for her, some in Hebrew and that she would be fine.

Two days before

Sister Ann is in town to keep make me laugh and keep me distracted. She also plans to spend the night with me after surgery (because Laurel Bellows and Joan Beugen -- my bossiest friends -- insist I have company).

On Monday, Ann, my sister-in-law Susan and Dan Roberts all plan to keep Jack company in the family waiting room. If anyone wants to join them, it sounds like a fun group.

Getting closer

Brain scan was clear. So we know I don't have brain cancer. On the other hand I am getting a little angina. My cardiologist upped one of my medications until I get through the surgery.

As we get closer to the date, I've had a lot of phone calls, voice messages and emails of support. Also -- the cutest card from Jim and Mary Jo Nathan featuring "Cancer Vixen," a female superhero who kicks cancer's butt.

Many thanks to friends and family for all their support.

Pre-Op

I completed blood test, EKG and PET scan on Tuesday. Apparently the PET scan was inconclusive. So I had to go back for a brain scan on Thursday to make sure there was no cancer in my brain. Haven't gotten results, but surgeon thought the chances were remote.

I had lunch with my friend Jane Barack who has been given a clean bill of health after a virulent battle with Stage Three cancer. It is encouraging to see her.

On a more somber note, another friend, Sally Streeter, who had the same surgery as I will have, tells me she wasn't able to wear a bra for four months. They just keep piling on the bad news.

Getting Started

Thought I'd set up a blog to keep friends and family informed about pending, May 3 lung surgery. All comments are welcome, but particularly funny ones.

Will do pre-op PET scan and blood test on April 20. Still haven't heard if I have to remove acrylic nails before surgery. (They just pile one trauma on top of the next.)