Am I blue, tic tac toe, and surgery too! 6/4/2010

During the localization process, a spot on my breast a little bit higher and over to the right of my incision was marked with an "X" with a black marker. Now, I know they said something to me about what that was all about, but I knew it was for my surgeon.

When I went back to the area where we all gather before surgery, they had moved me from cubicle "B" to cubicle "E". Since Cindy knew I'd been a teacher, she told me it had nothing to do with my grades. I told her it could have been worse, you could have put me in "F". I was just across from the nurses station and with my two fun-loving friends there now, we definitely kept them entertained. Cindy was kind enough to get my things out of the locker so I could give the ladies their cards and keychains with my housekey...my privacy and independence now in the hands of three other people...yikes! Wanted them to have the cards before I went in and yes, it was also because if anything went wrong, it was important for me to know that all three of them knew how much I appreciated what they did for me today.

Then the countdown to surgery started. First was Dr. P. She came to check to see how I was doing. Wanted to let me know that I might get a little bluish gray tint to my skin to which I was immediately called a Smurf by my friends. When I did look down at the tops of my feet, they did have a grayish tint to them because of the dye that was now in my system. Smurfette here! Of course it didn't help when Cindy came in with the blue cap to put over my hair for the trip to surgery. I will never live that moment down! Dr. P also told me not to be shocked when I went to the bathroom and saw blue in the toilet bowl at home and we all cracked up again. You can imagine some of the comments I got at that point! Instant toilet bowl cleaner here! Then we settled down a bit and discussed the basics again of what she was going to be doing.

Next, Dr. P leaned over, took a look at my wire job, then took a marker and made another "X" slightly above and to the left of the other one. I told her that since there were little circles all over that area already and now two x's, that I should get a pen so I can play Tic Tac Toe too! Had the nurses station giggling on that one!

I remembered that Tim had asked me to tell her that he had taken a special picture and test for her when he did my sentinel node check and wanted me to let her know. She chuckled at that and then told me the anesthesiologist would be in shortly to talk with me, settle on when he was going to use, and we would be starting soon after.

Meet the anesthesiologist and his assistant Cheryl. First I was struck by his calm manner, but then by his very unique mustache...half was white, half was gray and black and divided more or less by the center of his nose. I had to put my eyes back to his while he was asking me questions and explaining procedures. It was just so fascinating, my eyes kept being drawn there, especially as he talked. It was good to later her Carol and Sandy had the same problem!

He enjoyed teasing his assistant who he "blamed" for everything and you could tell she was used to the banter. We all enjoyed it and played right into it too. It was calming to have someone who obviously took his job very seriously and was excellent at it demonstrate that he had a great sense of humor and was making sure the patient was definitely at ease. What a delight to get to tease such a guy before he silences you in seconds and puts you out for a good two hours!

I had the luxury of visiting with my friends for a longer period than we first thought because things were backed up a bit in surgery. My only concern was that my other friend didn't know that I was going in later, might worry, and would Carol please call, which she did. We had a good time to chat, told stories, joked around about my warm blankets (which I loved by the way), my skin color, silly things that were going on, and just generally had a good time. Every so often we would catch the nurses at the desk chuckling again too.

Pretty soon Martha came in and hooked up the IV bag, fussed with the gurney, and got me ready to travel. You know, you do see the world differently when you basically see the ceiling as you move swiftly through the corridors. When we went through the double doors, the scenes from too many TV hospital shows were vividly displayed in my mind, but quickly vanished when the operating room came into view.

Cheryl helped me move over from the gurney to the table. She and the anesthesiologist were there to get me as comfortable as they could and explain what was next. Warm blanket first...thank you both because it is chilly in there! Next, he placed my right arm out to the side. My left arm was crooked and placed on the table above my head. He told me once I was under, he would be putting a tube down my throat to help me breath and when I woke up, I would be in the recovery room.

He and Cheryl bantered a bit more and were going to place a blanket on me that breathed hot air. I was looking forward to seeing this, but Dr. P said no because it would be in the way and that is the last thing I remember...perfect timing!