Adrienne’s Breast Cancer Surgery Day

Adrienne with Michael Garcia, director of surgery at Seton Hospital in Austin.

My wife Adrienne was up all night, not worried about the surgery for breast cancer she was receiving  today, but instead on how she was going to manage her hunger pains till  her scheduled 11:30 surgery.

At 5:30 this morning I found her up and working at her desk, trying to finish up some last minute detail for her job at Seton Hospital.  Even without much sleep she was in a good mood, and ready to face the day.  Food however was still on her mind.

Checking into Seton hospital we were given a pager and some last minute forms that needed to be signed.  Adrienne had to run around to visitors in the lobby to get two witnesses for her signature. What they must have thought is anyone’s guess.

Adrienne before being taken to x-ray.

It was then off to the day surgery prep room for her traditional gown fitting, equipped of course with an open back, and cute little slipper socks to keep the feet warm.  Good news was they also provided pants equipped with a fly.

Before being whisked off to x ray, Michael Garcia, director of surgery, dropped in to wish her well, then she was taken to x-ray where she had a harrowing experience.

The dense breast my wife has did posed a little problem for the placement of a metal wire to mark the cancerous spot, but the real problem came as she was leaving. Adrienne was trapped in radiology when the door handle on the inside broke off.   After a call to maintenance Adrienne and the radiology staff were freed.

Coming back to the pre-op room, A was still in good spirits.  She was visited by her anesthesiologist and her surgeon, John Abikhaled.  They both took extreme pains in explaining what would happen, and what she would be experiencing.   She also got a call from her dad wishing her well.

A is Wheeled Away to Surgery.

She has just been wheeled out to the operating room where she will have an hour long procedure, followed by about an hour to an hour and one half recovery.

As I sat in the waiting room, time seemed to stand still.  I busied myself editing photos for Imperial Sugar’s newsroom, and making a few calls.  Time however did not march fast enough.

Michael Garza came over and handed me a voucher for the lunch room, but despite the hunger in my belly, the hunger that was driving me was A’s successful surgery.

A little more than one hour after watching Adrienne be wheeled away, the pager we were given earlier begin to sing.   I hurriedly gathered A’s and my bags, and headed to meet the surgeon.

Adrienne in the recovery room chair

John Abikhaled met me with good news.   He said the surgery went smoothly and Adrienne was a marvelous patient.   He explained how he removed a lump approximately the size of a golf ball from her left breast (thank god that was the correct one).  He had sent samples to the lab, and we would know in approximately two days whether he had managed to remove all the cancerous growth.

After a few questions on her treatment for the next few days,  I hurried off to meet my wife in recovery room C4.

Adrienne was awake in her bed, if you can really call only being aware of your surroundings awake.   Despite the circumstance she remained in good spirits.   I was given the task of getting a prescription filled for pain, so I left here sipping on water and eating graham crackers.

Adrienne being wheeled out of Seton Hospital.

By the time I had returned, the bed was gone and Adrienne was sitting in a chair.  She was wide awake and her feistiness was rapidly returning.   She was ready to go home.

After a short explanation of do’s and dont’s by the recovery room nurse,  Adrienne was dressed and in a wheel chair headed  to the front door.   I am not sure that is because the are really good there, or because they really wanted to get rid of her.  None the less, despite having to be there for a very serious condition, the professional staff made the experience very pleasurable.

Upon her arrival home, Adrienne quickly hit the bed to be greeted by her favorite cat, Sammy.  The two of them fell fast asleep only to be woken by the doorbell and our two furious dogs barking their fool heads off.

Adrienne and her cat Sammy at home.

The wakening was a pleasant surprise.  The staff at her office at Seton had sent over dinner for the family.  Yum, yum it is pizza and salad and best of all, I don’t have to cook.

Adrienne will be fine I am sure. Our family wants to thank all of you for your prayers and good wishes.