A week and a half after the surgery, I'm hale enough to resume the blog. All went exceedingly well with the surgery, which took 7 hours (7:30 - 2:30). I had to wait in recovery for 4 hours while they got my room ready, largely because I did better than expected. They had booked me into the ICU right after surgery, thinking that if they needed to do nerve transplants or skin grafts I'd need closer attention, but I didn't need either. My oncologist said the tumor was about the size of a Nerf football, but it came out fairly easily. Apparently the radical resection (pedicle flap) fit perfectly into the space left from the tumor removal. Per my "plastics" (the term for the plastic and reconstructive surgeons), all looks really good. They've got me in a cast and don't want me to do anything with the transferred muscle for 2 weeks.
But I am remiss! My brother took some shots both pre- and post-op, that I'd like to share. None of the gruesome shots with blood and sutures, though I have them. More of the little things that document the process of overcoming and healing.
The fabled "Big Arm", on the last night of its existence
Post-op with morphine pump - notice the smile!
Day 2 post-op having lunch sitting in chair - still "wired in"
Day 2 post-op, back from a stroll with Mom - nice booties & hose, eh?
I reached my room and was placed on my right side, the same position I'd been in for the surgery and in the recovery room for 11 straight hours. As you might have guessed, the TV was over my left shoulder, so I didn't watch any TV from bed. Besides my morphine pump I had IV antibiotics and Ringer's solution, and I had 3 drainage tubes, 2 in my back and one in my arm, courtesy of the surgery. They'd made me don support hose pre-op to ward off blood clots, plus the booties so that I didn't slip. Then they placed air-driven cuffs around my calves, to massage them and keep blood clots from forming. I was also catheterized, so going to the bathroom was "automatic". All in all, it had been a very good day.
I must say that my family's and friends support during the hospital stay was extraordinary. I never lacked for company and companionship and encouragement during the four days I was there. They are an incredible source of inspiration and gratitude for me, and I thank them with all my heart for their unwavering outpouring of love and care. Also, the nursing and clinical assistant staff at the Weinberg Center were spectacular, combining competence and caring with an attitude of really wanting to get to know me as a person while I was under their care. They have left me with a strong impression of just how much difference an uplifting demeanor can facilitate recovery.
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