Four Glitches & A Tumor ~ Part 2 October 22, 2014
Posted by nrhatch in Health & Wellness, Humor, Life Balance.comments closed
Continued from Four Glitches & A Tumor . . .
Two months later, I arrived in pre-op for surgery at 5 a.m., wearing a green hospital gown. Despite the early hour, I was peaceful and chipper . . . even without my customary cup of coffee.
The nurses urged me to focus on the serious nature of coming events. “We need you to read this Release carefully. It addresses the risks of surgery.”
I nodded. “I know all about the risks. I’m a medical malpractice attorney.”
“Really? And you’re not worried?”
“Nope.” Then I gave them my best grin. “If I’m going to die, I’m going to die laughing.”
After deciding I hadn’t left my marbles at home on the bedside table, they had me sign the requisite forms and continued to prep me for surgery.
Glitch #3: Picture a tree with a single trunk and many branches. Most parotid gland tumors are located at the base of the trunk, along a major branch of the facial nerves, making it fairly straightforward to excise the tumor without damaging the nerves. With a well-placed tumor, surgery lasts 1-2 hours. My surgery lasted 6 hours because the tumor was hanging around the branches of smaller facial nerves.
The surgeon (for whom we had waited patiently) worked patiently on his patient patient.
Due to his care and concern, I am not a drooler. I emerged from surgery with all facial nerves intact. He even did a fat graft to pad my face to ensure it would not look lopsided. He was worth the wait.
But the waiting wasn’t over yet.
Glitch #4: Once out of Recovery, my surgeon admitted me to the Intensive Care Unit. The next day, after restless morphine-induced sleep, I asked about the tumor. “Was it benign?”
“I don’t know.”
“What? You don’t have the pathologist’s report yet?”
“I have his report. But you had an atypical tumor. Given the unique cell make-up, the pathology department’s not sure whether it’s benign or malignant. They’ve sent your slides to teaching hospitals around the country for additional input.”
“My tumor’s on tour?”
He grinned. “Yup. It’s gonna be a star.”
After 3 days in the ICU, I went home. No report.
A week later, I went to the surgeon’s office for follow-up. Still nothing. “Once they reach consensus, I’ll let you know.”
Two months later he called with a verdict worth waiting for . . . Benign!
Aah . . . that’s better!
Concludes tomorrow with . . . Even The Grin Of An Ordinary Guru
Spirit Lights The Way 