Biopsy Done Now the Wait Begins

Yesterday was the big biopsy day. After 2 nights of little to no sleep, I figured I had 2 options, be depressed about being back here a year later, waiting to hear about how my health is in jeopardy, or go in with some sass and just deal with each thing as it came. I chose sass, much to my dh's embarassment.

I found that a dose of sass actually works in one's favor at the hospital. Doctors and nurses pay more attention if you say something clearly and with humor, they are more responsive and less stand-offish and I think the patient's day goes better if the folks helping them can connect on more than a duty-only level.

I had a fabulous anesthesiologist. Last year the anesthesiologist said almost nothing to me and he had a heck of a time finding my vein, which led to unnecessary pain and bruising for me. So this year, I'm happy to report I got a guy with a personality and who I was able to tell up front about my skinny arms and veins to give him a heads up. It worked! Despite my being dehydrated from not having anything to eat or drink for 11 hours before surgery and cold because they keep hospitals like ice boxes, he took his time and slowly found a decent place to stick me. Today, no pain in the arm and only a tiny bruise. Hooray for the little things!

As for the big stuff, as in WHAT THE HECK IS GOING ON IN MY CHEST?! I won't know until next week. My surgeon only said that he got good samples, my lymph nodes are very enlarged, and they didn't immediately find cancer cells in the quick look. He also did some additional blood work after the surgery, which I consider adding insult to injury, to run some additional labs that I don't quite understand. All I know is that now I just wait and try to occupy myself until his office calls. The no immediate cancer cells news is encouraging, but since last year I got encouraged by a positive initial report and then crushed when the final pathology came 10 days later, I'm taking a cautious approach and not getting my hopes up.

In the short-term, I'm keeping on the pain pills because I've learned that when they stick a scope down your esophagus it hurts like a son of a gun, and I'm also trying to scrounge up some cute scarves to hide the oh-not-so-lovely bulgy scar thing on my neck. Hey, maybe I can start a new fashion trend!

My friends and family are being really wonderful, calling, bringing food, offering to help with the girls. Thank you all so very much! I'll keep you posted as we learn what's going on. But, whatever it is, this sassy chick will just deal, one thing at a time.