Thursday
Thursday was finally the day of the biopsy. We were still going back and forth on Thursday whether or not it would still take place. Originally the biopsy was going to be of the pelvis lymph node, but since the CT scan showed that had reduced in size they decided that the neck one would be better to biopsy. Had it been the pelvis one then it would have been a longer procedure with sedation. So switching to the next made it a quicker procedure and doing needle biopsies. So I did not have to fast and could arrive just 15 minutes before the procedure. I use a wheel chair at the clinics since the walker takes time and energy and long distance walking is not my expertise at this time. The appointment was at Methodist Hospital, we got the wheel chair, David parked the car and we were on our way up to 2nd floor radiology. This would be an ultrasound guided biopsy, which is the same type of procedure that they used at Mayo to help them focus in on the exact spot they want the samples to come from.
The technician helped me up on the table and she did some preliminary looks and then paged the doctor to come in. It was kind of a difficult spot as it was on my right side of the neck but almost down to the shoulder blades. So the doctor asked if I could reposition myself to lay on my left side (the side with the leg brace :-). ) and he put towels behind my back and the technician added a pillow to between my legs. It didn’t hurt to lay that way just a little uncomfortable. So the doctor did the numbing shot…and believe me that is the WORST part of the whole procedure…it stings like a son of a gun!! Almost had tears in my eyes. And it is not like just a quick poke…but I know that was the worst part and told myself I would be numb in no time.
So he proceeds to take the biopsies and that is just a simple click kind of like a nail gun sound…LOL…and he captures the sample. He got 6 samples I believe and said it went well. So as he was adding some comments to the computer we were talking about Mayo and he said why were you at Mayo and I told him about the sarcoma and the surgery and he said “OH NO and I was moving you all over the table!!!” I told them there was no pain but that was definitely the first time in 6 weeks I got to lay on my side.
Results will probably not be back until at least Monday….so more waiting.
Friday
Friday was the 2 hour drive to Mayo. It is not too bad, but with the full leg brace I lay sideways in the back seat and back seats are not made for comfort to sit that way. We got there with time to spare…my appointment was at 11:15 and we arrived on the 14th floor of the Gonda building about 11. Now more waiting….you all know I am used to waiting for Dr. Chen, but have not really waited for any appointments with the surgeon, Dr. Houdek. But we waited…and waited…David said now I am getting mad…but I guess I always just don’t mind too much the waiting, but when it got to me 11:45 – 30 minutes after the appointment time, I was ready to check in with the desk again when they called my name.
As we were walking to the room, saw Dr. Houdek pass us and saw he was still in operating scrubs, so I think that may have explained the lateness. When I have seen him in his office he has always been in a suit and tie. Sheri, Houdek’s NP came in first and unwrapped the leg, took what was left of the bandage off and looked things over. You know taking the bandage off doesn’t hurt, it just feels strange. I really have no feeling in the leg but do get the sense of pin pricks when the area is touched so that is what it felt her pulling on the bandage. I really have a long incision…I think it is near a foot long!! She said the incision looked good, but my knee was definitely swelled and we would have to work on getting that down. Then Houdek came in and admired his work and had me try to flex my leg so he could see if the muscles were working yet in that incision area. He said he could feel something so that was a good sign. I can push my foot up and down but really could not push my leg very much against his hand.
So he said next steps would be the new leg brace with the knee hinge to start to held build up that knee strength. But….and this is where I was disappointed, the leg would need to be locked absolutely straight anytime I moved and I could unlock it when I am sitting down so the knee would get a little flexing. I know I was imagining I would get on this new brace and would soon be able to start walking without my walked. Dumb on my part…disappointing on my part…and really unrealistic on my part…but kind of sad. He said physical therapy would help me work the brace…now it can only be open to 30%…and they would work me to open it more and put more weight on my foot. Still should only put weight on about 50%!!! I just imagined that in a couple of weeks I would be going downstairs and running around with the kids. :-(. As Phil Larkins keeps telling me…patience!!
As I am sitting typing, I do have the brace unlocked and I can feel twinges in my knee, so I guess it is doing what it needs to do. And Houdek said, along with his NP, don’t let the PT team push you too hard because they like to do that…if it hurts, tell them and they need to back off because we cannot risk more damage! Geezzz and here I though I was going to go in there gang busters and push, push, push to get going…guess I need to temper my goals and aspirations. I just want to play some golf this summer…but honestly looking at that long incision, I am wondering how I will even pick up my ball if I am able to hit it!! Guess I will have to stick to card playing this summer!
Houdek said he will see me back in 6 weeks, which is the 3 month mark from surgery. I think all thoughts of Florida also need to be tempered at least for this Spring. I know I need to count my blessings and there is always next year, but I can still feel sad I don’t get to hear the waves. David and I should take a trip up to Duluth and listen to the Superior waves!!
So now it is just waiting for the biopsy results. And since Chen is off on Monday and Tuesday, if the results come in I can do my own Web MD investigation and see what they are saying on the report…always a dangerous path trying to do your own breakdown of the doctor jargon! And Monday I will call PT and start those appointments. Houdek gave me new orders, paper version, that I will get to the team and see how we can proceed. Meanwhile I will try to find YouTube videos of waves and close my eyes and think of Florida! :-)
Take care of yourselves! Be kind to yourself and blessings to all who read this.
Have a great weekend!!
Dandy Ventures 