Operation Time

In little over four hours from now, my mom will be put under general anesthetic after which the surgeons will remove the lump from her breast. It will apparently be a quick operation, and she most like to be discharged at the end of the day. After that, the waiting begins. Fourteen days is a long time to be kept waiting for the test results. I really hope the lymphe-thing they will remove will not contain any nasty cancer cells, and of course that the entire tumor will be cut out.

Anyway, those who read this: Please think of my mom and send her good vibes. And think of my dad too.

Thanks ….

Final Operation Tests and Check-ups

Yesterday, mom and dad were submitted to another trip to hospital, this time for two final rounds tests and check-ups before this morning’s operation. One of the things the doctors have done, it injecting contrast fluids into one of the lymph nodes closest to the tumor, which will make it easier to remove it tomorrow.

Mom sounded rather positive when I spoke to her on the phone, which is comforting. She is not too worried about the operation, and wants whatever has made her boob its home OUT. Dad sounds stressed out of his mind about everything. He is an expert in explaining the procedures, but not when it comes to answering questions like “How do you feel?”. And me? I am not sure how I feel. Worried, of course, but more about my dad. Mom is a tough cookie. I have faith in the doctors who will be operating on my mom, as it seems they have everything under control.

I think the worst part of this journey, apart from hearing the news, will be the 14 days after the operation. It will take about this long for the docs to know whether the tumor is aggressive, whether the lymphe node contains cancerous cells, and if a second operation is needed.

 

My Wish for 2012

Just a short message to wish you all a happy New Year. I hope 2012 will be a year filled with love, joy, and good health. My wish for 2012? Well, that is an easy one. I hope my mom beats her breast cancer and maintains the positive spirit she has armed herself with. She is much stronger than I could ever imagine – much stronger than I am sometimes.

Luckily mom will be operated on Jan 3, which is less than 2 days from now. The sooner the tumor is out of her body, the better as far as I am concerned. That nasty fucker does not belong and will never belong in her body. Good riddance.

 

To Hospital For a Pre-Operation Chat

In a few hours time, mom and dad will be going to hospital for a chat with the surgeon who will operate on my mom in about a week time as well as the anesthesiologist. They will take a heart film to see if mom’s ticker is strong enough to handle the operation. “They will do other tests too,” she told me by email.

That – the multitude of loose and open ends – just bothers the shit out of me. This is both me the person, daughter, as well as me the journalist speaking.

What other tests? And how come the docs are not sure whether she will be operated the 3rd or 6th of January? Why can;t they cut it out now? How come they are not sure whether it has spread or not? I thought it hadn’t spread? What possible second operation? 20 radiation sessions? How long will that take?

I am really starting to hate this fucking disease with an absolute passion, which is enhanced by the fact that I can’t pop by to visit my folks for a chat about everything. I am in Australia after all (and back South Africa in 2,5 weeks from now), they are in Europe.

Anyway, time for a glass of wine. It is 4pm which means wine o’clock in my little world.