And this morning:
We've had about 3 inches of snow so far, and it's snowing again now and expected to keep going til about 1am.
Our work event in London tomorrow has been postponed, so luckily I don't have to venture out in this today or tomorrow!
I spent quite a long time on the phone to my CNS (Clinical Nurse Specialist) today, discussing what will happen after I wake up from the surgery. Apparently I will be fed through a tube into my lower intestine for about a week, bypassing the area of the surgery, and will have another tube down my throat for that period, designed to keep my stomach empty. After about a week, I have a swallow test, where I have to swallow a liquid whilst they scan me with some gizmo which looks for leaks (nice image). Then I move onto sips of liquid, followed by unlimited liquids and finally soft solids. By the time I go home I should be eating reasonable levels of solid food.
After a few weeks I should be eating most foods again, but it is expected that I might get a "tightness" whilst swallowing, which might resemble the feeling I am getting at the moment. I've been reassured that this isn't the cancer coming back, but is likely to be caused by the scar tissue around the join. If this happens, I then have to have another tube down the throat with a stretching device which will stretch the join (another wonderful image - anyone feeling queasy yet apart from me?)
I've been told that I am unlikely to notice any odd feelings caused by my stomach being in the wrong place - all my sensations will be related to the wound areas and should be addressed by pain management (I'm not keen on the word "should" in that sentence!)
I have also been told that there is a slim chance that my surgery might be postponed (as there always is with "routine" surgery). This is due to the fact that they can't book HDU (High Dependency Unit - i.e. Intensive Care) beds more than a day or so in advance, as there is always the possibility of an emergency op taking precedence. Unlikely, but just something that happens occasionally - I should know for absolute definite by the weekend, and assuming all is ok, I will be admitted at 3pm on Sunday ready for the op first thing Monday morning.
Enough for now - time to go and do something to take my mind off it again! :)
Cheers
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1 comment:
Hi Colin, just to wish you all the very best for the surgery. Going to hospital for major surgery has been a feature every year for the past 4 years for me (it's almost like my annual holiday now!) therefore believe me, they know what they are doing and the immediate aftermath is soon forgotten - a bit like having a baby I guess (not that I would know!!!) Take care and all the best. Amanda
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