Surgery Details

As many have asked, here are the details for Monday. (As much as I understand anyway, I realize as I write this there are some gaps).

I arrive at 8:45 AM at the Short Stay Unit. I'll then go to the breast center for a mammogram on the left breast, where they will locate the titanium mark that was inserted during the biopsy. They will then insert a needle, which is attached to a wire.

Then, I'll head to surgery, where I'll talk to the anesthesiologist. Surgery is scheduled for 11:15 AM, and since I'll be out cold, I'm told it will take about 25 minutes. Were I to opt to be awake and have a local, it would take about 45 minutes.

During the procedure, Dr. O'Holleran will remove the cancerous section, and the titanium mark, along with healthy margins. The removed part (let's call it the "icky bits" will be taken to pathology to ensure that the titanium mark was removed. It it wasn't, the Dr. will go in again and pull more icky bits out. Once more, the icky bits will be checked for the mark. If it's still not there, then I will get to keep that titanium bit in me. Only 1% of the time does the mark not get found.

Then, they stitch up the outer part (not the inner, or Lefty would be all puckery, and then how would those tassels look?!)

Then, I go to the Short Stay Unit for 2 - 3 hours. After that, I get to go home, where my plans are to lay on the couch and sleep.

I'm getting nervous - I feel like I've had seven cups of coffee today, when I only had one this morning. I'm not hungry and I'm kind of shaky, but other than that, all is well.