Port-o-Pal
Ryan here. Before I get into the surgery yesterday, a quick shoutout and huge thank you to Barb, Megan, Maria, and Tess for setting up a meal train! I also posted a link in the Ways to Help section.
Let’s cut to it. Yesterday afternoon we headed to a very empty Good Sam Hospital where we enjoyed a spacious pre-op room for two hours. Features included a retractible curtain, adjustable bed, a one-size-fits-many (but not Amira) gown, an inflatable heated blanket with a personal dial (don’t worry Jad, I’m on the lookout for one for you), a slow drip IV, melodic hospital equipment sounds, and at least 30 minutes of talking about restaurants with the anesthesiologist Dr. Tang. What better way to wrap up her 14 hours of fasting?
After the pregame, we parted ways: both because there are no looky-loos in surgery and I have a history of a vasovagal response when people I love undergo surgery. As the pain cocktail kicked in and Amira started to get loopy, she made a graceful exit in her hospital chariot.
I was suddenly starving, so I headed off to the cafeteria where I settled on some questionable pizza and a Kind Bar. Being 2022, I naturally signed up for surgical text updates and no sooner had I finished the slice I got word that Amira was in the procedure room. A few emails later, like long emails, so 45 minutes-ish, another text said she was done and the surgeon Dr. Garreau popped her head around the corner. Naturally, I asked her if she was experiencing any COVID-like symptoms or had travelled outside the country in the last 14 days. After a brief back and forth we were clear to chat.
The surgery went great as expected. Dr. Garreau has performed over 10,000 of these port surgeries, and she ranked Amira’s in her top 5. Expected soreness for a couple of days, no take-home Valium unfortunately, and just your run of the mill pain meds. I was clear to see my little lady, so off I went.
As the nurse turned the corner with me and we approached the post-op room, a distinct sound of persistent crying (more like whaling if I’m being honest) filled the room. “That’s Amira” said the nurse. I pulled back the same roller curtains I left an hour ago to be greeted by a very emotional Amira:
Amira: “I just want to thank everyone for being so kind, and doing such a great job.”
Me: “Babe! That’s so sweet of you, I’m so happy to hear it went well. I’m sure they’d love to come receive your gratitude.”
Amira: “I want to thank everyone for being so nice. Can they all come back to my bed, so I can thank them?”
Me: “Got it, let me see if I can expedite this reception.” “Nurse, is there a way some of the team can come say ‘hi’?”
Nurse: “I just checked the room the doctors hang out in and no one is in there.”
Amira: “I don’t think they are listening to me. All I want to do is thank everyone for being so kind, and doing such a great job. It’s really important to me.”
Me: “I can see that babe. I’m working on it.”
Thankfully, before I could figure out how to find scrubs and pretend I was on Amira’s surgical team, a nice woman came in to take an X-Ray of the port. “You see babe! Here’s one of those people on your team you wanted to thank. Isn’t that wonderful?” Moments later, our new foodie friend Dr. Tang came by to continue the parade and all was well. The drugs were starting to wear off, and Amira was asking me the same questions she asked me minutes before, so I knew we were headed in the right direction. We learned from the nurse that everyone comes out of anesthesia differently. Some can even be violent. Check the “Win” box we didn’t go that way.
Amira post-surgery and no memory of this picture.
Dr. Garreau was the last to come by, and confirmed the X-Ray looked great and the port was working. She also had some unexpected news that the results from the prior breast scan showed two questionable dots in her right breast. It’s unclear what they are, so another ultrasound of that area is needed before we start chemo.
All told, we were pleased with the surgery, and glad the emotional day came to a close. Next stop, an ultrasound of the right boob on Friday and some cold-cappin’ chemo next Wednesday with several doctor appointments in-between.
