I made it through once again. Arrived at Ogden Regional Hospital at 6:30 am yesterday. All the paperwork and evidently payment I made last time were enough so didn't have to re-do any of that. Given the same uncomfortable gown. The nurse had a hard time getting the IV into my vein - again. It wanted to jump around no matter what she did so I have a huge, swollen bruise on my hand. She finally found a vein that would hold still just inside my wrist so I'll have to remember to point that out if I have to ever get another IV. I'll also have to remember now that I can't let anyone take my blood pressure, take blood or do anything at all to stress the left arm, the one which had the lymph nodes removed. That will have to be a life-long diligence. Sheesh.Dr. Eddie clarified it would be the right margin he was shooting to get clear this time. I was given the happy juice at about 8 am and was out of surgery by about 9:30 am. Not nearly as groggy this time. I pretty much wanted to get dressed and make a hasty exit after a nice glass of ice water. I told the nurse I didn't want pain meds this time. She said I could call back if I changed my mind and gave me an ice pack. I wish I had done that the last time. I pretty much held the ice pack on until I went to bed and then stuffed it in between two bras. I took extra strength Tylenol. In combination with the ice, pain control worked much better this time. I still had a slight headache and tummy ache but could pretty well function.
The best part....the Seroma under my left arm shrunk significantly! I'm sure it had to have been the ice. It was full sized when I left the hospital. The nurse told me I should find out about getting a massage to get rid of it. But during the day after I went home, I noticed it was getting smaller. It was about 2/3 gone by the time I went to bed last night and this morning, is 90% gone. I swear, that was the very worst part of this whole thing so far. And yet, there is so little information about them out there. In fact when I specifically asked Dr. Jordan if ice would help, he didn't think so and recommended heat instead (which did absolutely nothing). I may try to bring my experience out somehow in case it can help anyone else. Just gotta figure out the right vehicle.Steve & I just finished dinner last night when the power went out. We had a windy rainstorm going on. Steph's boyfriend, Will arrived soon afterward. After some small talk & chit-chat, I suggested we play a game. We got out all the candles we could find and a few flashlights. First we played Brain Academy and that got everyone loosened up. A few beers for everyone but me didn't hurt either. Then we played several hands of Rummy. It brought back fun memories for both Steph & I from playing it sitting around the table with family as kids. But, the language was certainly not what we wouldn't used around Grandma! Just envision a Richard Prior sketch, mixed with raunchy lines from the Hangover and everyone's drunken creativity, and that was our little card party. I haven't seen Steve laugh like that for a long time. We just finished our last Crazy 8's game when the power came back on about 10:30 pm. Even though I didn't partake in the imbibement, I still had a great time laughing and listening to everyone else be crazy silly.
And in that light now here's a little Irish blessin' fer ye on this St. Paddy's Day:
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