1) Sophia went into surgery with her usual good humor, making the staff laugh, and giving them the stickers that she had received from Eileen in Australia.
2) Sophia patched things up with her surgeon, who explained that the “error” during the last surgery wasn’t really an error at all! Sometimes, the tissue comes out in a twisted strand that doesn’t allow for orientation. This still doesn’t explain why the other doctor told us this while the surgeon was on vacation. Do doctors communicate with each other? Was all that emotional stress for nothing? Is the emotional well-being of the patient an afterthought?
3) The surgery took about an hour. The surgeon came out into the waiting room (finally! He never did after the other surgery) and told me that the procedure went well.
4) After Sophia woke up from the anaesthesia, she was crying so much that her pain got really bad and her blood pressure went extremely high. The nurse had to give her some morphine. The nurse told me that sometimes “the sub-conscious” speaks after waking up from surgery.
5) As the nurse took Sophia’s temperature, I stood in front of the bed and massaged Sophia’s right foot. I was surprised when Sophia, drunk from the powerful morphine, used her left foot to rub my groin up and down. It felt good, but a little inappropriate in the recovery room. Sophia insists this episode never occurred, but I have the nurse as an eyewitness, even though she was very polite about not mentioning the result.
6) Sophia is exhausted and in terrible pain. She took a vicodin, and it didn’t help at all, so she took another one, despite my protests. The bottle says – only one every 4 hours.
7) I slept on the bedroom floor last night — to be close to Sophia, but to also give her some room. I’m glad I vacuumed the carpet on Wednesday. I’m going to go back to sleep now.
8) Despite her pain, I know that everything will be great in a few days. Sophia will be healed and healthy.
9) Thank you for all your support. I’m sorry if I haven’t thanked you personally for your card or email. (Nics in Belfast — Thanks for the beautiful flowers!)
10) The Cedars-Sinai Breast Cancer clinic was packed yesterday. Is Thursday free mammogram day?
Thank goodness this part is over. I teared up through the whole report especially when you made me laugh. I think I’ll just have to to come and see you and Sophie in July. Will you be around?
Oops – I meant to write Sophia – am typing in the dawn light – with my candle lit and nag champa too – thinking of dear Sophia and Neil. I think I’ll turn on the light now.
Neil, I’m so glad everything went ok and I’m glad you are able to be there for her.Sophia sounds like a strong woman! Sending those positive vibes and prayers.
Wow, this is what happens when I get so far behind on blog reading. Very happy that the surgery went well for Sophia. Hope she’s feeling no pain again soon.
Oh, those recovery room tears–but hey, the foot thing, very encouraging. That was her breasts way of saying “We’re fine! Really!” You know, the subconscious talking.
Vicodin didn’t work for me, either. And after speaking to some people who shall remain nameless, I have come to the conclusion that it is most effective when used recreationally. Oh, well.
Glad to hear S. pulled through. And that recovery room story is one for the ages…
That kind of pain is just awful. When I had my sterilisation/endo ablation back in January I woke from the anaesthesia into that kind of pain and spent about 6 hours extra in the recovery room because of the pain and low bp.
I didn’t have anyone to rub my feet. Maybe if I had I might have used my other foot to rub their groin
You’re an angel for being so kind to Sophia, Neil. Everyone needs kindness in their life.
My very best to Sophia.
And you still make me laugh:) (#5)
Glad things went well.
I’m glad to hear that Sophia is doing okay. Coming out of anaesthesia turns me into a weepy mess. It helps to have someone there. The last time I had general anaesthesia my father was there…which was helpful. Plus, I never would have known that I told the anaesthesiologist, “There’s no cleaning your soul.” Whatever that means.
stumbled upon your blog from another and have been reading, captivated. my heart goes out to you and sophia and i hope that everything turns out perfectly in the end. we can hope for the utmost best right?
something about you guys living here in LA makes this feel more personal. maybe it was the mention of Cedars or … I don’t know. (grew up in San Marino, live in Hollywood). it’s nice to be able to relate to a blog in a way i’m not able to all the time.
i’ll def. be back for more.