Title : 3rd Operation within 22 months
link : 3rd Operation within 22 months
3rd Operation within 22 months
Not sure if that is a record, but for me it really is enough. Yes, I had the operation 10 days ago.Geoff, all kids and a number of lovely good friends all offered to come with me. Thank you all for your kind offers. Rhea was the lucky girl to have the pleasure of living through this ordeal. We met the night before the operation in Berlin and stayed in a lovely small hotel, in the middle of the gay district. Not that it matters or that I was aware prior to booking it, it was just funny, whilst out looking for a restaurant, every shop had some kind of reference to being gay. From the 'Romeo and Romeo' bar to the pharmacy which seems to think they needed to dress their mannequins in black leather and whips, not sure why, but hey, it was an entertaining walk.
The next morning I reported to the hospital to 'check in'. https://ift.tt/2aonVrM
That process took 2.5 hours. Yes, the Charite is one of Europe's largest university hospitals and looking at what felt like hundreds of people checking in, I understand that this took some considerable time.
Lovely room on the 10th floor, with a great view, made me feel relatively welcome, but what jumped out compared to the Spanish hospitals I am used to, is the time the doctors took for explaining what was going to happen and when. I had a few pre-op tests, then had an hours meeting with the anesthetists, who explained the process during the operation. Part of me wished I did not know what was ahead. The idea of having a tube down my throat, with one side blocking my lung and the other ensuring that it is open and I am breathing. A tube into my main artery on my wrist, because it is easier to monitor my blood pressure?! A catheter? Please!!
After that I saw a doctor who took me through the proposed operation process. How happy was I to hear that the Professor was aiming for key hole surgery. Beyond me on how this is done.
I was ready! I was also so impressed the next morning, the morning of the operation, that they bandaged my left arm up. The left side is the side I have previously had the other two operations on, where all lymph nodes had been removed. I have been having Lymph drainage twice a months and also doing manual lymph drainage in order to avoid getting 'Lymphodemea'. In fact that thought fills me with terror on a daily basis, as it is possible to get even years after an operation. Part of avoiding getting it, is to not put any pressure on that arm, lift nothing, try not to cut yourself on that side, no obstructions ( I have been wearing my watch on the right side ever since the second operation) . I should not even have my blood pressure taking on that arm, let alone have a drip in it. For that reason they bandaged it up, so no mistake could happen. I was happy with that.
Off they wheeled me in my bed, leaving Rhea behind with her book, laptop and a list of who to text regardless of whether I would make it or not. The operation was due to take 3 hours. I left the room at 12.00pm and returned at 20.00pm, so a little longer than anticipated. I remember waking up in the 'recovery room'. The main difference this time was the fact that my teeth were not chattering together whilst experiencing frost bite! I had a lovely warm heated blanket keeping me warm. How wonderful was that! After the other two operations in Malaga, I remember just shaking uncontrollably, whilst thinking I was freezing to death. A little dramatic maybe, but that is what it felt like at the time.
As soon as I had opened my eyes, I was handed a 'toy'. I had to blow into a tube and with each 'blow', depending on whether it was a strong enough blow, one, two or three balls would be elevated in a little tube, i.e. take off. Well the first few attempts where comical, I was blowing for England and the dam balls did nothing, no movement. I thought the 'machine' was broken, which it wasn't of course.
One of the male nurses came over, telling me to try harder and added that if I managed to 'blow two balls in the air', he would do a handstand. Not competitive at all, I blew and I blew.............until I managed to elevate two balls! Check me out!!! It hurt like hell. I was told that I needed to do this every day for at least 100 times. A long way to go then.
Finally back in my room, the Professor and his entourage ( team of 7) followed and updated me on the successful operation. I am officially in love with this Professor. He confirmed that he managed ( after some routing around) find all three tumors, which had been sent off. Results sometime after Easter. At that stage, I still had the catheter, the drip and the needle in the main artery where they monitored my blood pressure, although a swollen face and and a huge red mark ( looked like a bruise) under my eye. Not a good look let me tell you. Also, as before, I went down to the op wearing hospital sexy knickers and returned without.
Sleeping, even with pain killers , proved to be a challenge which I failed. I didn't sleep. How could I, two needles stuck in me, pain, even though I was on painkillers, ( it hurt that much, I could not lift my arm, let alone any other part of my body) , not to mention the catheter.
Rhea left at some stage, to go back to the apartment I had rented for her. A bad night overall.
The next few days I definitely felt better every day.
On day 2 the catheter, and the drips were removed. Finally I could move. The pain was still pretty bleak. The cut appeared to be under my right armpit near my breast. Just where my bra sits.
On day 3, I told the nurses that I was going to swap their pain killers with 'mine'. I had prepared my Cannabis oil and filled it into lots of capsules, prior to leaving Spain.
How delighted was I when I was met with understanding and support!!!!! They clearly were familiar with Cannabis oil and since that day, now a week ago, I have not taken another ( conventional) painkiller, but only Cannabis oil. Yes, I had pain, but I had that with the painkillers too.
On day 4, The drainage was removed. Auh, let me tell you, I felt that one. They told me to start walking steps, and reminded me not to forget my 'breathing exercises' into the magic machine. That machine!! Yes, I was blowing. An x-ray was done, and they were not happy with it. It appeared that I had air trapped between my lung and the wall of my chest. That made breathing deeply, very hard and pain full.
Walking proved to be interesting and even though writing this, I have no idea who on earth I will ever be fit enough again to get on a bike. Walking is hard enough, walking and talking is a no no. Walking steps are another challenge. As for coughing, hick upping or sneezing, please don't ask me to try either. That evening I had another x-ray to see if the situation had improved.
On day 5, Rhea and I ventured out for Kaffee und Kuchen. I figured I had earned. We walked for 1.5 hours and I was surprised that I managed it. Followed by another x-ray and finally they were happy.
On day 6, I was released. A lovely ( they were all fantastic and I have since bought up Berlin's chocolate supply as a 'thank you') nurse showed Rhea how to use all her strength in pushing against my chest and back at the same time, so I could try and cough. I did, but boy did it hurt. A simply little cough. Talk about drawing attention to oneself, when Rhea is squeezing my upper body together with all her strength, whilst I try to produce a pathetic little cough. We certainly did draw attention to ourselves.
Day 7 after the operation, the first time I had seen blue sky in Berlin, we ventured out from our hotel to see Potsdam. How beautiful, simply stunning and to be recommended. We walked a total of 12 KM. Mad maybe, but I survived it. The next day I slept most of the day. Clearly my body needed it. Just a crappy day for Rhea.
Without here, I would not have managed to get to the hotel. Because I don't know how long I will be in Germany for, I have luggage...............lots of it and can't use my left of right arm. Very handy, not!
So here we are on Easter Sunday, everyone is in Spain with the exception of Rhea and myself and we are just returning from the hospital ( in a snow storm) as I had my stitches ( which were starting to grow in) removed. Dare I start to feel normal again.
The next step, we are both heading to Bremen tomorrow ( I will explain) and Rhea is flying home from there. Need to book a train and rentacar' now. Will be interesting to see if I can drive without pain, as the belt is sitting over my lung. '
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