The Surgeon

Thursday, November 15th

We made it to my doctor’s appointment with Dr. Chang! A Harvard graduate, author and professor…also a male (hmm, haha)! He’s very nice, patient and knowledgeable. Of course, I used MDNationwide to do a doctor’s background check and everything checked out fine. I also Googled him to find out he has written several books as well! After meeting him, I welcome the change in surgeons!

We didn’t have time to drop Mike and the girls at the apartment so I went to my appointments while Mike took care of the girls at the hospital. My MRI was smooth sailing! Another hour in the capsule, dreaming of getting old and watching my girls get married, playing with my grandkids and giving Mike the spice in life he likes! Haha! With all my weight gain, I hope I fit in there at the end of my chemotherapy! It won’t be my boobs I’m worried about, rather my belly! Ironically, they have you change in to a gown and pants that are 3X! They literally fall off and the nurse said they don’t fit most people, but when they do fit, the people don’t fit in their machine! Soooo, why do we offer 3X pants to everyone! Haha!
Meanwhile, Mike had the challenge of entertaining Alexa, Morgan and Elena. I think I had the easy part! They hadn’t napped or eaten since Aunt Patty bought them McDonald pancakes for breakfast! Let me tell you, they loved those pancakes!! We didn’t get the “no like Donalds” this time!

They had a blast while I was getting my MRI, the lady who checks patients in for testing named Casey made forts with blankets and blew up rubber gloves to make animals! I heard they made the waiting room a little playroom all for themselves. In fact, the technician asked me if I had kids, I said yes, they are in the waiting room. He was like, “Oh, those are your kids! They have stuff everywhere out there and they are having a good time!” Haha… The girls where troopers, they where only at the hospital from 2:00-7:30pm with no nap and a little sleep the previous night!
Dr. Chang and his PA discussed the process of the surgery with me. If I continue with my chemotherapy treatment, I will be ready for surgery the first of the year. I have to wait until my white blood count goes up to prevent infections. At that time, Dr. Chang will make an wide incision in my upper right thigh, cutting through the skin, the fat…(yes, they found some, haha!), the muscle and remove a large tissue area around the tumor. Although it’s pretty deep, he did not foresee any problems with surgery, no pins or bone removal. However, this is based on my first MRI that was done in September. Thus, it could change Monday when I get the results of the MRI I had done Thursday. Due to the large amount of muscle removal, I will need a drainage tube to remove fluids from the open space in the thigh. I will have this in my thigh for 10-14 days. Yuk! At that point, the tube will be removed as well as the staples. I will be on crutches for a few weeks and then limp for some time. (If Mike was here, I could just see the relief that they could spare his leg!! He would look pretty funny with only one, being so tall ya know!Lol!) Dr. Chang said it would be months before I could run again! Whoa, months….they really don’t understand the Biggest Loser contest I have going with Maria! I’m definitely bringing dessert to our Thanksgiving Day dinner, all for her! Lol!

Now here’s my favorite part of switching surgeons! According to him (he is the surgeon! Haha), I would have surgery and the next day they would start physical therapy in the hospital. If there were no complications and I am feeling “ok,” I could be released from the hospital as early as the next day. (Dr. Bearman said I would be in the hospital 4-5 days) But I have to stay in Michigan approximately 14 days due to the drainage tube, follow up appointments and possible complications. After that, I will need radiation for 6 weeks, 6 days a week. But he thinks I may be able to do this in Memphis. Thus, I’m looking for a GREAT certified Radiologist Oncologist in Memphis if you know one!

I’ll have a firm surgery date on Tuesday, November 20th!