Delayed reaction??? (Take 2)

We also discussed the benefits and drawbacks to a robot-assisted procedure.  My concerns were - in particular - that the mass of adhesions on my left side might make it too difficult to use the robot (as I understand that too many adhesions can bring about the need to transition to an open laparotomy - too difficult to safely identify the anatomy obscured by those adhesions, I guess) and the potential for "collateral damage."  Even as the robot may have exceptional (3D) vision, it does have the drawback - or so I've read - of lacking the peripheral vision that the human eye affords.  Dr. H still seemed most comfortable with the robot-assisted procedure, but assured us that he would review the video from my March ('12) laparoscopy and talk with us the day before surgery to make a final decision.

In the end, I trust Dr. H and told him as much.  He thanked me for that trust.

(In my heart, I kept hearing the voice of a good friend who has reminded me many times that I need to pray for Dr. H, trust in the gifts God has given him and KNOW that it will be Jesus - the Divine Physician - who will be my surgeon.)

***

Flash forward to the eve of a long-awaited surgery...  

Receiving Jesus in the Sacraments before departing on our long journey west had been a peaceful turning point in my struggle with the nerves of facing another surgery.  

Seeing Nina at the hospital's pre-eval clinic that morning had been both a welcome encounter with someone I've grown to trust and admire and a bit unsettling (as she explained how she was both happy - and sad - to see me back again).  Leaving the hospital in style - sporting my brand new, green wristband that would serve as my life blood (every pun intended) should I need a transfusion the next day - and with strict instructions not to remove it, my husband and I zipped down the road to the Institute for an ultrasound and our pre-op appointment with Dr. H.  Our questions now asked - and with the doctor's certainty about the robot-assist - we returned to the hotel knowing that the morning would come too soon.

***

They said I wouldn't remember what I experienced in the O.R., but I remember more from this surgery than any other I've experienced.  I guess the anesthesiologist finally found the right mix because I would (later) wake up much earlier than in past surgeries and (Praised be Jesus Christ!) have NO migraine!  :)

***

So what did they do??  

Removed adhesions...  a lot of adhesions...  and endometriosis.  From the looks of the post-op report, I have a few more stitches than planned.  Left ovary, pelvic wall, abdominal wall, right fallopian tube...  a stitch in the uterus where a fibroid was removed.  A Gore-Tex "anti-adhesion membrane" was put in place to protect the organs as the healing process began and...

The entire area was irrigated with antibiotics!

(to be continued...)

Delayed reaction???

Well, tomorrow I will be 1 week post-op.

Wait...  I should back up a bit.

A little over a week before leaving for Omaha, DH and I had a telephone consultation with Dr. H.  It had been heavy on my heart to address concerns about infection.  I had an idea, one that I wasn't sure had ever been attempted before, but I just had to ask.

While in NYC for treatment in February, Dr. T talked about bacterial infections and scarring.  In essence, he explained that the bacteria itself causes the scarring as it tries to protect itself from the attacks of the body's immune system.  In order for the treatment to have any chance of being effective, Dr. T asked permission to remove scarring that I have carried within my body since I was a teen.  I gave him that permission and the results of those 10 days of abx treatment speak volumes...  (a story for another post)

With that success, I'd begun to wonder about the robot-assisted laparoscopy that was fast approaching.  In that surgery, Dr. H would be removing a lot of adhesions (scarring).  It was looking more and more as if bacterial infection may very well have been to blame for the adhesions to begin with and I just couldn't shake the thought that when Doc removed those adhesions he would be uncovering bacteria that would then - without sufficiently aggressive treatment - have free reign to spread even further throughout the abdomen and pelvis.

Remembering Dr. T's treatment, I asked Dr. H if it would be possible to - after removing the adhesions - irrigate the entire area with an antibiotic wash.  At first, Doc seemed a bit reluctant, explaining that they have done very little research and so don't have much data to indicate the effectiveness of such treatment.  He did, however, say that there has been some indication that antibiotics themselves can irritate the surface of the soft tissue and cause adhesions.  He told us that there is also the option of wrapping the organs in Gore-tex to protect them, then going back in 10 days later and removing it.  I asked the first thought that came to mind...  What if we did both?

Dr. H was quiet at first, then said, "You know, right before you called, I'd been wondering the same thing."

I told Doc that I was willing to take the chance...  (to be continued)

Praised be Jesus Christ!!

Where has the time gone?

Surgery is scheduled for 7:15 am tomorrow.  Where has the time gone?

I really was trying to listen as Dr H spoke this afternoon.  Just had a lot on my mind.  "...5 or 6 hours"  ?!?...  That snapped me out of my momentary reverie!

I thought he was kidding (and asked him as much).  He wasn't.  His response reminded me of all that must be done...  Removal of adhesions and endometriosis...  Possible ovarian wedge resection...  Not to mention the measures he will take to prevent adhesions.  Long day...

Please pray for Dr H.  God has given him so many gifts.  May the holy angels surround, protect and guide him in a special way tomorrow.  May God's will be done in and through this surgery!

Our Lady of Perpetual Help, pray for us!  St Joseph, pray for us!  St Raphael, pray for us!  St Gianna Beretta Molla, pray for us!  St Martin de Porres, pray for us!  St Gerard of Majella, pray for us!  Blessed John Paul II, pray for us!!   All ye holy men and women of God, pray for us!

Praised be the One Who Is, Who Was and Who Will Always Be...  The Divine Physician...  Jesus Christ!!