An update is
due – it’s been two (crazy) weeks since surgery!
Surgery
seemed like ages ago! The surgery went
as expected. The grapefruit-sized tumour
(as we guesstimated from the doctor’s hand motions) was removed along with the
smaller, grape-sized ones. About
one-third of the gluteus maximus was removed along with it.
We spent 4.5
days in the hospital, and then Mark was sent home with a drain in, since that’s
what was holding us up. A nurse came to
the house to change his dressings and took the drain out 2 days after we were
home.
Recovery has
been tough – harder than expected – says Mark.
Pain has been an issue – and no wonder, since the incision is just shy
of 12 inches long with 52 staples! I was
shocked at the size of it, but I guess the muscle is that large. Pain meds have been somewhat effective, but
have also had other unpleasant side effects including keeping him awake in
spite of exhaustion and making his stomach upset. He has
greatly reduced the pain meds he’s taking to relieve these symptoms.
Mark has
been spending two weeks trying to find a comfortable position on the couch in
our basement, watching movies. He’s been
able to get up to go to the washroom, but even now, 2 weeks later, being up for
even 5 min is painful enough to send him back to the couch.
We see the
doctor on Friday this week (Dec.12) for our first follow-up. We hope the drive to London isn’t too
painful! We may hear final pathology results
at this appointment, but we don’t believe there was any concern about whether
or not the cancer was fully removed.
We trust
that we’ve been through the worst part of recovery. We look forward to spending some time as a
family when I’m on Christmas break (I'm teaching part-time). We
need it.
Thank-you
for the many prayers and kind gestures. We're in good hands/Hands.
Sarah, Let me start by saying that I pray for you and Mark while you go through this very trying time. It sounds like Mark is on his road to recovery.
ReplyDeleteI doubt that your intent was to give comfort to total strangers but for me it has. It sounds like I have a very similar sarcoma as Mark’s. Mine is about 10 cm and is on my right gluteus maximus. I was just given my surgery date yesterday. On January 2nd my tumour and gluteus maximus will be gone. My radiation treatments were finished last Friday. I of course have lots of anxiety about what is to come and although your story is full of challenges it is helping me become mentally prepared. Thank you.
No pressure but if you feel so inclined any tips about preparing for the surgery or the recovery would be greatly appreciated. My surgery will be done at Mt. Sinai in Toronto about a 3 hour drive from our home. The first thing I thought of was how I would sit in the car for 3 hours with so many stitches. The nurse tried to reassure me that with the painkillers it won’t be that bad. She did suggest I bring a pillow to help relieve some of the pressure on that side.
My primary email is monica@youredge.ca Again, no pressure. I know you have a lot on your plate.