Pennyfinder
Elite Member
New Post - Surgery Day Approaches - Thursday Dec. 15
I am really nervous about it! Frightened actually!
I am really nervous about it! Frightened actually!
It's cancer! IT'S NOT GOOD! NEW UPDATE!!! -- See Latest Post!
- Thread starter Pennyfinder
- Start date
Mud-puppy
Forum Supporter
Try to not let worries run away with the blessings in your Life...A person cant afford to loose any blessings to worries...Theres so much of the one and so few of the other..!
Yeah thats right!...Blessings got the Worries way outnumbered! Gang up on 'em and beat them into a pulp!! Cheers, Chin up, walk in strong and on out of there and report back!! Lots of people praying for you and sending best thoughts and kind wishes as you go through this experience...dont let us down!
Mud
Yeah thats right!...Blessings got the Worries way outnumbered! Gang up on 'em and beat them into a pulp!! Cheers, Chin up, walk in strong and on out of there and report back!! Lots of people praying for you and sending best thoughts and kind wishes as you go through this experience...dont let us down!
Mud
Pennyfinder
Elite Member
Try to not let worries run away with the blessings in your Life...A person cant afford to loose any blessings to worries...Theres so much of the one and so few of the other..!
Yeah thats right!...Blessings got the Worries way outnumbered! Gang up on 'em and beat them into a pulp!! Cheers, Chin up, walk in strong and on out of there and report back!! Lots of people praying for you and sending best thoughts and kind wishes as you go through this experience...dont let us down!
Mud
Thanks!
Reef Runner
Forum Supporter
Prayers are with you ! We will be hearing back from you soon !
God bless !
God bless !
Pennyfinder
Elite Member
Surgery is over!
Dr. did a skin graft from neck. Do not know the results and won't know until I come back in 5 to 7 days and he discusses the pathology from it. My doctor is going on vacation Friday morning so it will be his associate that I will see. Just keep me in your prayers that they got it all and the graft takes hold and grows. Have a pressure bandage on my cheek - looks ugly. I am in a room by myself and dinner just came a little bit ago. Chicken and curly noodles in alfredo sauce delicious! Broccoli with no cheese blah. Roll with butter and either chocolate cake or a brownie. Salad and I'm working on my second coke. Not half bad. TV on - Everybody Loves Raymond yuck! Will change channels after I eat - have some crocheting to work on I feel pretty good so I just might do it. Should be released around 9 or 9:30 in the morning. First transportation van will pick me up a little after lunch time 12 noon. Likely to be home around 3 tomorrow afternoon.
Surgery started about 2:30 pm came back to my room after the surgery don't know what time. Slept until about 10 after 7.
Do not know the results of the surgery. Dr. said I would learn something in 5 to 7 days when I come back and talk to a doctor - my Doctor's associate. Doctor took a skin graft near the clavicle - left shoulder, Have a pressure bandage on the cheek - ugly. Will keep you posted as I learn whatever lab finds. Won't know if they got it all for 5 to 7 days and report back to the doctor. More surgery if he didn't get it all. Feeling weak when I sit up on side of bed. Dozing off trying to eat supper.
Sorry for all the repeats and forgot what I wrote half asleep! Ha ha.
Dr. did a skin graft from neck. Do not know the results and won't know until I come back in 5 to 7 days and he discusses the pathology from it. My doctor is going on vacation Friday morning so it will be his associate that I will see. Just keep me in your prayers that they got it all and the graft takes hold and grows. Have a pressure bandage on my cheek - looks ugly. I am in a room by myself and dinner just came a little bit ago. Chicken and curly noodles in alfredo sauce delicious! Broccoli with no cheese blah. Roll with butter and either chocolate cake or a brownie. Salad and I'm working on my second coke. Not half bad. TV on - Everybody Loves Raymond yuck! Will change channels after I eat - have some crocheting to work on I feel pretty good so I just might do it. Should be released around 9 or 9:30 in the morning. First transportation van will pick me up a little after lunch time 12 noon. Likely to be home around 3 tomorrow afternoon.
Surgery started about 2:30 pm came back to my room after the surgery don't know what time. Slept until about 10 after 7.
Do not know the results of the surgery. Dr. said I would learn something in 5 to 7 days when I come back and talk to a doctor - my Doctor's associate. Doctor took a skin graft near the clavicle - left shoulder, Have a pressure bandage on the cheek - ugly. Will keep you posted as I learn whatever lab finds. Won't know if they got it all for 5 to 7 days and report back to the doctor. More surgery if he didn't get it all. Feeling weak when I sit up on side of bed. Dozing off trying to eat supper.
Sorry for all the repeats and forgot what I wrote half asleep! Ha ha.
Last edited:
GKL
Forum Supporter
Hopes and prayers the doctor got it all !!!!
Bet you're glad it's done, get some rest so your body can recuperate !
(and glad the hospital gave you food you enjoy, except for not having cheese on the broccoli
and it's good you have an appetite !)
Bet you're glad it's done, get some rest so your body can recuperate !
(and glad the hospital gave you food you enjoy, except for not having cheese on the broccoli
and it's good you have an appetite !)
Pennyfinder
Elite Member
Not much sleep tonight. . .
Was a little bit nauseous earlier but received some med in my IV. And later the nurse brought me two small containers of ice cream - one chocolate and one vanilla. Sure tasted good. Not sleeping good. Guess I slept to much earlier right after surgery. Only dozing occasionally tonight.
Was a little bit nauseous earlier but received some med in my IV. And later the nurse brought me two small containers of ice cream - one chocolate and one vanilla. Sure tasted good. Not sleeping good. Guess I slept to much earlier right after surgery. Only dozing occasionally tonight.
Pennyfinder
Elite Member
choppadude
Forum Supporter
You are a trooper! I have been following this post and have been sending good thoughts your way. I cannot imagine going through this myself but if I do I hope that I have the support of friends here on FMDF like you have. A Great bunch here and we are all pulling for you to make a complete recovery and are able to get out there soon and make some great finds to show us!
Take care.
Take care.
LIBear
Forum Supporter
Hope you have a speedy recovery.
Pennyfinder
Elite Member
Surgery Is Over. . . .
And I don't know anymore now than I did before the surgery. The main doctor is now out on "Christmas Leave" until January 4th. His assistant came to see me this morning. And when I asked him if they got all the cancer he just shrugged his shoulders and said they don't have the pathology report yet. He said that the results would be in in 5-7 days! WHAT!
You mean they did the surgery and sewed me up without having an answer from pathology that they got it all. IF THEY DIDN'T GET IT ALL THEN I WILL HAVE TO HAVE MORE SURGERY! THIS IS ABSOLUTELY RIDICULOUS! 
You don't sew someone back up until you DO KNOW that the cancer is gone!
On my way home from the hospital the hospital called me and said I have a post-op appointment scheduled for next Tuesday, 20 December at 11:30 a.m. Okay that's fine. Trouble is I have to take the EARLY public transportation at 6:30 a.m. to arrive at 9:30 a.m. and since the appointment is not until 11:30 a.m. that means I have to wait until 4:30 p.m. to catch the SECOND public transportation back home meaning I won't actually get home until around 7:30 p.m.
But wait there's more -- yep the doctor's office itself called me around 6:00 p.m. tonight with a recording stating that I have a post-op appointment for WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 21 AT 8:05 A.M. I have told them over and over more times than I can count that our public transportation DOES NOT EVER GO TO NASHVILLE ON WESNESDAYS. AND on any day they DO go they NEVER arrive before 9:30 - 10:00 a.m. and NEVER EVER set me an appointment before that time! So I will ignore the Wednesday appointment. They obviously do not understand plain English. I will go to the appointment on Tuesday.
The doctor also told me before the surgery that he would take a small quarter sized area of skin from my neck to place on my cheek (a graft). THERE IS A FOUR INCH CUT FROM MY CLAVICLE TO ALMOST MY SHOULDER. IT IS NOT STITCHED OR BANDAGED -- JUST GLUED. NO CIRCLE OF SKIN HAS BEEN REMOVED. AND GLUED TO MY FACE IS A LARGE WAD OF CLOTH (IN A BALL). AND THERE ARE STITCHES ON TOP OF THE CLOTH! HE CALLS THIS A PRESSURE BANDAGE.
Before the surgery he talked to me and was thinking of doing a cut up the side of my nose in the groove next to the nostril all the way up and then turn and cut just under the lower eyelid all the way to my temple and down along the edge in front of my ear stopping just beside the earlobe and using the entire cheek skin to cover the hole he planned to cut in my cheek. I DEFINITELY SAID NO TO THAT! So he told me he would take a small circle of skin from my neck. He didn't do that. Here are my post surgery photos. I have no clue what they will be telling me when I go to the TUESDAY appointment! Surely, they would not close me up without getting all the cancer! And this hospital (Vanderbilt) is supposed to be one of the best! I am having my doubts now! I'm not satisfied with the surgery! I will never be able to wear any top that has a low neck (turtle necks for me) and no telling what my face will look like. I will probably never have to buy another Halloween mask! I will have a permanent one! I might even be called Frankenstein's Sister!
And I don't know anymore now than I did before the surgery. The main doctor is now out on "Christmas Leave" until January 4th. His assistant came to see me this morning. And when I asked him if they got all the cancer he just shrugged his shoulders and said they don't have the pathology report yet. He said that the results would be in in 5-7 days! WHAT!
You mean they did the surgery and sewed me up without having an answer from pathology that they got it all. IF THEY DIDN'T GET IT ALL THEN I WILL HAVE TO HAVE MORE SURGERY! THIS IS ABSOLUTELY RIDICULOUS! You don't sew someone back up until you DO KNOW that the cancer is gone! On my way home from the hospital the hospital called me and said I have a post-op appointment scheduled for next Tuesday, 20 December at 11:30 a.m. Okay that's fine. Trouble is I have to take the EARLY public transportation at 6:30 a.m. to arrive at 9:30 a.m. and since the appointment is not until 11:30 a.m. that means I have to wait until 4:30 p.m. to catch the SECOND public transportation back home meaning I won't actually get home until around 7:30 p.m.
But wait there's more -- yep the doctor's office itself called me around 6:00 p.m. tonight with a recording stating that I have a post-op appointment for WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 21 AT 8:05 A.M. I have told them over and over more times than I can count that our public transportation DOES NOT EVER GO TO NASHVILLE ON WESNESDAYS. AND on any day they DO go they NEVER arrive before 9:30 - 10:00 a.m. and NEVER EVER set me an appointment before that time! So I will ignore the Wednesday appointment. They obviously do not understand plain English. I will go to the appointment on Tuesday.
The doctor also told me before the surgery that he would take a small quarter sized area of skin from my neck to place on my cheek (a graft). THERE IS A FOUR INCH CUT FROM MY CLAVICLE TO ALMOST MY SHOULDER. IT IS NOT STITCHED OR BANDAGED -- JUST GLUED. NO CIRCLE OF SKIN HAS BEEN REMOVED. AND GLUED TO MY FACE IS A LARGE WAD OF CLOTH (IN A BALL). AND THERE ARE STITCHES ON TOP OF THE CLOTH! HE CALLS THIS A PRESSURE BANDAGE.
Before the surgery he talked to me and was thinking of doing a cut up the side of my nose in the groove next to the nostril all the way up and then turn and cut just under the lower eyelid all the way to my temple and down along the edge in front of my ear stopping just beside the earlobe and using the entire cheek skin to cover the hole he planned to cut in my cheek. I DEFINITELY SAID NO TO THAT! So he told me he would take a small circle of skin from my neck. He didn't do that. Here are my post surgery photos. I have no clue what they will be telling me when I go to the TUESDAY appointment! Surely, they would not close me up without getting all the cancer! And this hospital (Vanderbilt) is supposed to be one of the best! I am having my doubts now! I'm not satisfied with the surgery! I will never be able to wear any top that has a low neck (turtle necks for me) and no telling what my face will look like. I will probably never have to buy another Halloween mask! I will have a permanent one! I might even be called Frankenstein's Sister!
Attachments
Pennyfinder
Elite Member
The face doesn't really hurt that much but my shoulder is another matter. I am in severe pain this morning and cannot even move the arm without it hurting severely. I don't know what the %#@* they did to the shoulder. It feels like a heavy weight pushing down on it and if I move the arm a stream of language spews out of me. And of course it's weekend all I get is their answering service who will take a message and let someone know Monday well that is no good I can do the same thing. So I can't get anything done over the weekend. And this is my main swinging arm. I've got a lot of crocheting that needs done before Christmas but I guess that won't get done either.
Pennyfinder
Elite Member
I'm feeling much better today still taking it easy. Shoulder and neck still hurts but I have pain management on board and handling it pretty well.
GKL
Forum Supporter
Good to hear you're feeling better, it has got to be a relief !
Pennyfinder
Elite Member
I have a loveseat hide a bed in the living room and a large screen TV. So I decided to camp out in the living room. I'm spending most of my time laying on the loveseat bed crocheting and watching TV. If I get sleepy I just go to sleep and leave the TV going.
We are under a tornado watch until 9 o'clock tonight and then the weather is supposed to drastically change by midnight. Yeah we have a winter weather advisory coming in around midnight until 6 a.m. How weird is that!?! Not likely I will be going anywhere tomorrow so this loveseat bed is becoming my best friend!
The wind is picking up and could get pretty nasty in the next hour so I'm hunkering down. Good night everyone!
We are under a tornado watch until 9 o'clock tonight and then the weather is supposed to drastically change by midnight. Yeah we have a winter weather advisory coming in around midnight until 6 a.m. How weird is that!?! Not likely I will be going anywhere tomorrow so this loveseat bed is becoming my best friend!
The wind is picking up and could get pretty nasty in the next hour so I'm hunkering down. Good night everyone!
Grumpysrb
Forum Supporter
Good Luck!! Hope it is slow growing kind for you, Carcinoma. I Had six removed and another to go.
Get it taken care of and wear your SPF 1000 sunblock.
Get it taken care of and wear your SPF 1000 sunblock.
Pennyfinder
Elite Member
I am not a happy camper this morning. Found a photo diary of a woman online who had the same surgery I did. She showed 6 months of pictures showing the progress of her scar post surgery. Her exact words were that the scar after 6 months still looked like a piece of pepperoni glued to her face! And that makeup would not cover it to suit her. And she said that the graft was considered successful. REALLY? If it looks THAT bad I wouldn't consider it successful! Guess I won't be going out anywhere again!
Silversmith45
Elite Member
Looks have nothing to do with a person's personality. I gave up caring what other people think about me years ago. When you are able get back out there and enjoy the hobby. I'm sure it won't be that bad anyway.
hawgdawg
Forum Supporter
Just what Silversmith said . I've never won any beauty contest , and not looking to win any now . And I don't care what people say or think . The beauty comes from the heart , nothing else matters that much anyway. You'll be fine , good luck with the doctors , they are really constrained by the DEA and the amount of paperwork they're required to do by law . I know this doesn't help you that much but just stay positive .
Pennyfinder
Elite Member
Well we already know what my neck looks like. Tomorrow is the day to see what my face looks like. I talked with the clinic this morning and a nurse will be taking the bandage off but not likely going to take out the stitches just yet. So we will see just what they did to my face. I can see the edge of where they stitched my face peeking out from under the bandage and what I can see looks like the graft is surviving - at least it looks pink or the same as the rest of my face. Hard to tell yet. Now to get a picture tomorrow and see what it looks like. Wish me luck that it's doing what it's supposed to. I'm keeping my fingers crossed.
