… They wheeled me off in a wheelchair, a first for me.  The outpatient surgery center was the next street over from the imaging/mammography office, so it was a short ride to my destination.  With my hubby and mom walking beside me, we made it to the prep and recovery area of the center in just a few minutes. I have to admit, it was nice to relax and not have to walk, especially after such a crazy morning.  

 Pre-surgical antics. 

“Yes” this boob – marked by the surgical resident.

I changed into a lilac surgical gown, purple socks, and elastic head cover and waited with my hubby in my own small ‘room’ with a privacy curtain.  I answered some standard questions as each nurse and OR team member stopped by to meet me. They were all very thorough in helping me understand the procedure and answered any questions I had, which put me a bit more at ease.  

There was a part of me that was ready and wanted to get this surgery over with, while the other part of me felt so anxious leading up to this moment.  This would be my first surgery ever and first time needing anesthesia. I was given a premedication t0 help with the anxiety and to relax me before heading off to the operating room.  They warned me that this could cause slight amnesia and drowsiness before the anesthesia would even be administered.  Yes, true story! I remember joking with my hubby that he should say whatever he wanted at that moment since I probably wouldn’t remember; I remember waving to my mom who was in the waiting area as I was pushed toward two swinging doors; I remember telling Tito, the OR nurse that I wish I could be pushed around in a bed all the time and we both gave our best princess waves as we entered the OR.  

The operating room was so bright, full of lights and shiny equipment.  I went into this thinking it would look at a scene from Grey’s Anatomy.  I looked around to take in this new environment, wanting to make mental notes of the people, the room, the noises, but those pre-meds were kicking in quick.  I was told it would be a similar feeling to drinking two or three glasses of wine… honey, if I could feel THAT good drinking wine, I would do it every night. My eyes started closing as my sight got cloudier by the second.  I remember being told to scoot over to the operating table – I don’t actually remember moving at all; then having an oxygen mask placed on my face – which I tried to fidget with, still almost unconscious.  

“Patrice, don’t rub your eyes.  Don’t rub your eyes, hun.”  I heard a younger female voice call out.

My eyes felt so heavy, I could barely open them.  Everything looked so foggy and blurry but somehow my hubby was there by my side again.  Was it over? It literally felt like I just said goodbye to him a few minutes ago, in reality it was about 3 hours later. Things are still a bit hazy as to what happened in the short period of opening my eyes to actually waking up…

Apparently this fab photo happened:

My hubby asked if he could take a photo of me, I posed, sticking my tongue out (or tried to).  10 minutes later, I asked him if he took the photo.. LOL.

He also wiped the endless snot running down my nose…

I don’t remember any of this.

I was given more time to fully wake up, just waiting there made me a little antsy.  The nurses took my vitals again, gave me two types of meds to ease my pain (yaaaassss!) and went over my discharge / care instructions.  The instructions were pretty straightforward: remove the waterproof dressing after 48 hours; wear a post-surgical bra for 2 weeks, okay to shower the next day; no food restrictions; take pain meds as needed, etc.  I was just happy and relieved the lumpectomy and sentinel node biopsy were outpatient procedures.  

With help from my mom, I got changed and noticed I was wearing a pink post-surgical bra – yes, free bra!  And this one has velcro everywhere!  

Then I was wheeled off again to my chariot (my hubby brought the car to the front of the building).  Thank goodness I remembered to bring a pillow from home for the car ride – damn LA and your potholes and bumpy roads.  So happy the nurses gave me those pain meds.

For my post-op meal, I ate an in-N-out double-double animal style with fries.  And it was everything I needed it to be at that moment — deliciously comforting.