The new picture is one i've only glimpsed at a few times. I can hardly look at my leg still, but i look a little more each day. Medical Science is incredible...i don't know how those doctors do it!
Since i'm home and off the morphine, i thought i'd describe my procedure to the best of my ability, using technical terms such as gross, numby and icky. I will begin by describing a picture that some of you may not want to see, so i'll put it at the bottom. It kind of just looks like Canadian Bacon, really, so don't be too grossed out. (unless you are one of my Vegan readers, in which case that might REALLY gross you out...its ok. i like Canadian Bacon and i am totally grossed out if i look at it for more than a few seconds...) anyhoo....
This surgery went fabulously, THANK YOU GOD! What might have been a 8-12 hour surgery was over in 4! The entire tumor was removed, and had actually shrunk since radiation...which was not to be expected. The entire perimeter tested negative for any tumor remains in my leg and we'll find out about any cancer cells remaining when we get the pathology report in a few weeks. All docs said that it looked good and they thought they "got it all".
The first team of Docs, led by Dr.Valerae Lewis, removed the tumor and a 3 inch perimeter around it. They did not have to cut the peroneal (sp?) nerve (for foot flexing) like they originally were concerned about. A tendon was cut, but replaced by the Plastic Surgery team. The area removed is a perfect circle...its so strange.
Since i'm home and off the morphine, i thought i'd describe my procedure to the best of my ability, using technical terms such as gross, numby and icky. I will begin by describing a picture that some of you may not want to see, so i'll put it at the bottom. It kind of just looks like Canadian Bacon, really, so don't be too grossed out. (unless you are one of my Vegan readers, in which case that might REALLY gross you out...its ok. i like Canadian Bacon and i am totally grossed out if i look at it for more than a few seconds...) anyhoo....
This surgery went fabulously, THANK YOU GOD! What might have been a 8-12 hour surgery was over in 4! The entire tumor was removed, and had actually shrunk since radiation...which was not to be expected. The entire perimeter tested negative for any tumor remains in my leg and we'll find out about any cancer cells remaining when we get the pathology report in a few weeks. All docs said that it looked good and they thought they "got it all".
The first team of Docs, led by Dr.Valerae Lewis, removed the tumor and a 3 inch perimeter around it. They did not have to cut the peroneal (sp?) nerve (for foot flexing) like they originally were concerned about. A tendon was cut, but replaced by the Plastic Surgery team. The area removed is a perfect circle...its so strange.
The next team of doctors was the Plastic surgery team; seems they had the hardest job. They had to figure out a way to fill in the big gaping hole the tumor and the surrounding tissue left. Pre-surgery, they had given me a few scenarios of where they may pull muscle, tissue and skin from, but they couldn't be definite until they got inside to see. Turns out they were able to use a part of my calf muscle to strectch up and over to fill it in. It feels like how i'd imagine a huge fish hook would feel if it were to catch you and pull on a big muscle. A tendon and some skin were removed from the thigh of the same leg. I'm still not sure exactly where that tendon went, but i'll find out and keep you posted. I think its somewhere in my knee.
So, now i've got this removable cast that goes from my ankle to my thigh, which i have to wear for 6 weeks in order to keep my leg completely straight. We have to change my dressing once a day, where the transplanted skin is cleaned and medicated, as are my scars on the calf. There is also a nifty little drainage bag that we empty knee-juice from twice a day. Mmmm-mmm.
its funny how things are relative, but i'm about to type something that i never thought i'd say: I LOVE MY CRUTCHES! Really. When i went from walker to crutches, i felt like that commercial for Red Bull "I've got WINGS!" No more calling the nurses for help to go to the bathroom (that gets soooo old!) In fact, the very first day i used them, the Physical Therapist had me go UP A FLIGHT OF STAIRS! However daunting, I did it, no prob. If there was a relay race for hobblers on crutches, i'd give anyone a run for their money...i've totally got the hang of these things; they've given me freedom.
Aside from the odd pulling sensation in my calf, there isn't immense pain. The area where the drainage tube is inserted is sore and the spot where they removed the skin for the transplant is raw, but nothing some pain meds can't conquer. My knee is very swollen and i can feel pressure from that if i stand for too long, but overall I'm feeling great. I am SOOOO thankful to have that surgery behind me that i feel like its smooth sailing from here on out.
I won't be able to drive for months...i don't even know how long. Also, i'm going to have Physical Therapy for quite some time after i get my cast off. That's ok, though: I've been mentally, spiritually and physically preparing for that all summer, so BRING IT ON!!
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