WFH with Cancer — Part 4
2 weeks passed, and the June bank holiday was the second week, so Kim and I took the week off work to relax and spend some time together and go over everything that had happened in the past few weeks.
On the Friday at 4:30pm the call came from the hospital. My surgery was going ahead, and it was to be done the following Wednesday. My surgeon had been in contact with the oncology department in St James’ and had supplied details around my case, and the results of the biopsy and they agreed that the next possible steps to clear the tumor was radiation treatment, but the arm had to be fixed and then healed before that could be done, so they wanted to operate sooner so I had more recovery time before that started. We did not know at that stage if the tumor was cancerous or not, but based on the story you have read so far, it was….
On Monday 14th of June, I had an early morning meeting with my surgeon to review the week ahead. There was a specialist nail and screws needed on order from both the UK and Switzerland, due in that day, and the operation on Wednesday would be a 2 hour key-hole procedure. The results of the biopsy cells had also come back to show cancer cells in the tumor, and at that stage they were calling it “Multiple Mylomas”. It still looked localized to the arm, so the treatment was still radiation, but while I was in hospital, the hematologist (blood cancer specialist) would be meeting me to answer questions and discuss the next steps.
Tuesday morning, I arrived with my bag at 8:30 and was admitted. I met the doctor at 9am to sign my consent forms for the operation, which was explained to me again, and then the doctor did something that those of us with children beg them not to do, he took out a sharpie and wrote on my arm.
At 9am I met another doctor who completed the admissions documents and history and then was told to come back to the consultant rooms about 1pm. Any changes and they would call me. That day was really sunny, so I took a walk around the hospital grounds, and even managed to get down to Guinness to see the factory (from the outside). Unfortunately no sampling….
At 3pm it was time to go to the ward, and not only was I back to the same ward as 2 weeks ago, but the same room too. Only this time it was full but my ward mate who was now 1 year and 2 weeks was still there. There was a lot of catching up to do, and before long we had the full battery of tests done again. Covid, MRSA, BP, Temp, etc….
That night I was fasting from midnight and after watching a movie, I put in my earplugs and slept on and off.
Wednesday morning, and it was time for the surgical gown (which I could not tie) and surgical stockings, and hairnet. Before changing they get you to wash yourself down with anti-septic wipes to prevent infections. Once everything was done, I was ready to party….. I went down to the operating area at 8:30, and was given my asthma inhaler to take due to a asthma fit I had a few years before after a general anesthetic. Then the slight of hand started again and while I was distracted on one side, the anesthetic was inserted and 4 hours later I woke up in recovery. So, 4 hours… When they started working they found that the tumor had basically liquefied my bone to a point that they believe the May bank holiday weekend when lashed out in my sleep, I actually broke the bone. The problem was the top of the bone had rotated at that stage, so they had to realign the bone before started the operation. But everything went well and they were happy. I had a pressure bandage on my arm which was to stay there until Friday, but the plan was to go home Friday afternoon. Now, as the tumor was liquid (its basically plasma cells as we are dealing with blood cancer here) they could not remove it, but samples were taken for analysis.
I was back in the ward at 2pm, and let Kim know how it all went. Because of Covid, Kim was calling the ward for updates as she was not allow to be in the hospital, so she was probably tearing her hair out after the time she believed I should have been finished in surgery.
That afternoon I slept on and off, and I picked at my dinner. My surgeon came up before he headed off (he had multiple surgeries that day), and went over everything with me and was really happy with how it went. I was scheduled for an xray the following morning to get reference shots and if you don't want to see them scroll past the next photo.
On Thursday morning 2 of my doctors were up to check on me early (7:30) and see how I was going. They reviewed my notes from overnight and were happy with my stats so far. Now, sleeping the night after surgery is not easy, you are checked every 2 hours (BP, temp, pulse), but between those 2 hours you are also given IV anti-biotics, IV pain relief (liquid paracetamol), bloods taken, generally just checked to make sure you still there I suppose.
Breakfast was great that day, I really needed it, and was back drinking plenty of liquids. Coffee was also needed as I did not have my caffeine fix the previous day. My physio also came to visit and told me that I need to not do anything for the next few weeks as the tumor was still here and could cause more issues, so 24 hours a day in the sling.
Side note — The physio was on the other side of the corridor to my ward room, and his view was of the air conditioning system for the rooms below. The roof top was also home to a number of seagull nests and Dublin seagulls are the size of turkeys and have a tendency to steal the chips from your hand while your eating. Their chicks are the size of a fully grown chicken. Most days we ended up looking out the window at them waiting for them to start flying….
Xray was done in the afternoon and the techs taking it were curious about the metal work so ended up chatting with them for about 10 minutes. Sure it breaks the day up.
Another doctor visit (my usual doc was on nights this week so popped in to see how I was) and the plan now was to get the pressure bandage off tomorrow, fresh bandages on, and then come back in 2 weeks to have them changed, and the sutures removed. I was told to take the anti-inflammatory and pain relief for the 2 weeks too, and then a follow up with my surgeon once the sutures are removed. I would be in pain for about 6 weeks, but it would gradually subside, and the hematologist was to visit tomorrow.
Now, the only side effect from the operation was pins and needles in the right arm, but I was told that I had been placed on the side for some of the operation so it was just the pressure from lying on my arm, so nothing to worry about. I had slept though that so that was fine….
Friday morning started at 6am with liquid paracetamol and after breakfast, it was time to pack up and get ready to be discharged. Well, I say to pack up, but truth be told I did not bother unpacking. As I was not able to change without help I had been in the same clothes for 2 days at this stage, so it was a welcome relief to get back into normal street clothes again. I had made sure to pack items I could wear with only one arm for assistance, but needed a wash first. That is not an easy thing to do. Honestly, I considered a shower, but with the large pressure bandage, it was not going to work. Thankfully Kim had packed some facial wipes for me, so I washed myself with them, and then washed my hair over the sink. I felt refreshed. Looked like I could do with a lot more sleep, but refreshed.
At 1pm a nurse arrived to remove the pressure bandage. Now, I had pain relief at 6am, and again at 11am. I was asked how the pain was and said it was actually fine. I declined a painkiller. The pressure bandage was cut off and OH MY ****ING HELL, GET ME THE PAIN KILLER….. If the pain of May when I lashed out the arm was measured against this, it was a paper cut compared to a truck being parked on your head….. within a minute the painkiller kicked in and I was breathing better, but also slightly out of it (oxy does that to you). Moral of the story is if they offer pain relief, just say yes…. The nurse described it as a side room in a nightclub suddenly opening and everyone running in to get a spot on the dance floor. All the blood in my body suddenly found more room and it all wanted a piece of the action.
The nurse was really happy with the wounds, and my doctor took reference photos before fresh bandages were fitted. I was told that if they got wet, or started lifting to come into the hospital to get them replaced rather than asking Kim to do it. Supposedly a lot of partners have ended up in hospital end seeing post operative wounds that have not technically healed yet. Thankfully that did not happen.
One of the other patients appeared with a coffee for me and said “fair play to you”. That was all that was needed. Turns out he works as a sale rep for a pharmaceutical company and supplies to the hematologist I was meeting. I was reassured to know she is one of the top in Ireland. St James’ is the center of excellence.
The nurse was really happy with the wounds, and my doctor took reference photos before fresh bandages were fitted. I was told that if they got wet, or started lifting to come into the hospital to get them replaced rather than asking Kim to do it. Supposedly a lot of partners have ended up in hospital end seeing post operative wounds that have not technically healed yet. Thankfully that did not happen.
I met with the hematologist at 3:30 and the next part of the story was put in play. I was to get a bone marrow aspiration done on Monday (day patient procedure) and was told that my cancer was early, treatable, and will be continuously monitored for the rest of my life, which would be a long life…. All the bloods they had seen were showing good signs and they were happy to proceed once my surgeon gave the go ahead once my wounds had recovered. The name given to the cancer was Plasmacytoma.
I was given a date and time to meet with my oncologist, and a PET scan was also booked (standard in most cancer cases). I was also asked to make sure my water intake was to hit a minimum of 3 liters a day. Now, the anti-inflammatory I was prescribed (Vimovo) was actually one that oncology did not want me on as it can interfere with cancer treatments, so I was asked to try to cut it out, so paracetamol was the way to do (chemist strength ones, not the ones from the supermarket) and Oxy was also supplied for overnight relief.
At 5pm I went home and got straight into bed. It was great to be home.
I do want to say for the next few weeks, I have to really thank my wife, and anyone reading this who has been though the next part please thank your partners for this. I could not shower myself. I admit it…. It just was not possible. Bending over was difficult, as was getting out of bed, and as for putting socks on, I did not even bother most days…. But the showering was the one thing that Kim did every day without complaint for which I am eternally grateful. We said the words “In Sickness and in Health” when we married, but we never expect it to be that way…. Kim, I love you so much, and thank you for everything you have done for me.
So, next time I will walk you though my 1st visit to the hematology department and the Bone Marrow Aspiration. Bet you can’t wait…..
