A hospital day

Oct 18

After a long day at the hospital, I am home again, home again jiggity jog.

Brad and I arrived at the hospital at 9am, and spent the first two hours answering questions for various hospital personnel; the tech came to draw my blood, and I donned my hospital gown and put my belongings into plastic bag.  The nurses accessed my port and got an IV running, and began taking history and vitals.  There was a lot of chit chat about my children and about the Rozzer (my mom) as she is a nurse at this hospital.  The surgeon came in and gave us a clear understanding of the procedure, and the post-op protocol.  The verdict: I must stay in hospital for four hours after the procedure for monitoring, stay horizontal today, and no lifting today or tomorrow.  (Which means Brad is on kid duty for the next 24 hours!)

At promptly 11am, I was wheeled into the suite.  This time, I lay on my stomach while my feet pointed into the donut-shaped CT machine.  I was outfitted with wires and tubes everywhere: nose, finger, port, arm, chest, back.  I requested warm blankets, and advised the nurse that “you can never have too many warm blankets.”  I’m pretty sure the pre-op nurse was the same nurse who was there for my liver biopsy.

I was given “relaxing” medications and local anesthetic just above my shoulder blade on my back for the procedure.  I moved in and out of the CT machine several times as they used a probe and needles to reach the spot in my lung.  I watched as Dr. Sharp extricated a core sample to send to pathology.  I began coughing early on in the procedure, though I tried to limit my movement and control my breathing.  I watched two subsequent times where he retrieved material from the lung, handed it to a lab tech in the room, who put it on a slide and examined it under a microscope.  Each time, the microscope lab guy said, “just blood.”

After the procedure, Dr. Sharp said he is optimistic that he got a sample of the spot for analysis, but he can’t be 100% sure because normally they see cellular material when they look at those slides I referenced earlier.  The pathology lab will have the final say about what they see.

So, what I’m thinking is: they didn’t find any cancer today.  Win!  I’m pretty sure that’s not the science-y answer, but I sure like the sound of it.

After the procedure I was wheeled to recovery where I had to lay flat on my back for an hour.  Next I was given a chest X-ray to confirm that the bleeding was minimal and that my lung didn’t collapse.  I was finally able to sit up and eat at 1:30pm.  Woo hoo!  Brad and I spent the next several hours reading and chit-chatting.  I had a lot of pain at around 3:15pm, and got myself an extra chest x-ray to make sure all was well.  The lung looked fine on the x-ray so I asked for more pain medicine like any good patient.  I was discharged at 4:30, and we got home at 6pm.

Brad took the girls out for pizza, and I am home and happy.  I am going to work on photo books, pray, write, and make sure I keep up with my pain medication.  A quiet night is just what the doctor ordered.  Thank you for checking in and for your thoughts and prayers today.  Pathology results will be in sometime mid-next week (and I promise to update ASAP).  In the meantime, I plan on doing the next days well.  Thank you.

 

 

16 comments

  1. Amanda /

    I hope it isn’t cancer and remember there is a reason they do not give many patients PET’s all the time for everyone. They were always finding spots, doing biopsies and NOT finding cancer. Best wishes.

  2. Julie Hughes /

    Rest, read, pray but do not be anxious about anything. . . . Lots of love and prayers lifting you and your family up right now. Prayers from Alabama!

  3. Brwynn /

    Praying for peace as you wait!

  4. Newbe friend /

    Praying Jen, sound very good thus far! Enjoy the weekend.
    Will be waiting for your good news!

    • Sue Nitz /

      Jen we are praying for you and will continue to storm heaven on behalf of you and your family. You are one very special lady.
      JEREMIAH 29:11
      11 “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

      God does have a plan and I just know that the lives you have touched and are going to touch have been inspired by you faith most of all and your strength and you determination. You sure are one special lady!

  5. Ann Yelle /

    I am trying to not be anxious. But, as a survivor of breast cancer since November’11,I know too well the feelings that come each time there is something that needs to be done. Just remember that God is good all the time…all the time God is good!!!

  6. Banita Bailey /

    Thinking of you and praying for clean cells

  7. Marlayne Skeens /

    11:00 I was praying ~ I know you had plenty of Prayers ~ I saw the dental commercial at 11:03 ~ I smiled BIG !!! You are a survivor for sure 🙂 Prayers for a good nights sleep <3 🙂

  8. Eloise /

    Love and Hugs from Brett and I – you have been in our thoughts every single day since we heard the news.

  9. DENISE /

    WE ARE SENDING BARRELS OF PRAYERS FUN AND LAUGHTER
    Neecie and Leo

  10. Bonnie B /

    A good morning Jen, a peaceful morning full of hope! ! I was so blessed to get the email yesterday and we continue to hold you up in prayer . THE LORD’S ways are mysterious but His love remains constant and sure. Standing with you, Brad and the girls. …Always! ! Just the other day I heard the phrase, without rain we would never have a Rainbow. .. How true! ! Have a restful day Jen and enjoy all those around you.

  11. We were on the road yesterday, traveling to the mountains so we could enjoy the fall leaves. I said prayers and sent positive thoughts along the way. I find it’s never the knowing that’s troublesome…it’s always the waiting to know that causes the anxiety. You keep “doing today well” while those of us in blogland will all be “the nervous nellies” while we await the good news of your clear, healthy lungs! 🙂

  12. Praying.

  13. Prayed for you at 11am on Friday morning (9am my time) ♥

  14. Patty Wheeler /

    I saw you on TV again. Autograph please. :).

    We are all thinking and praying for you.

  15. I could not leave a reply on your recent post not sure why. Thinking of you and admire your faith and attitude. We are all behind you girl…keep on truckin! Energy and prayers sent your way especially during your hospital stay.

    Your warrior of the north!