In the Home Stretch

I had another surgery this week on Tuesday. With any luck, this should be my final surgery. Fingers Crossed. I had a great anesthesiologist, who, after having a nice chat with me, decided to break the normal protocol and take me under with only propofol and no inhaled gases (Fluorine derivatives). I am not an expert and don't know if it really makes a difference, but the PhD, that I worked with from Stanford who had run tests on me after chemo and my surgeries which showed decreased mental function, had recommended against it. There is also a body of literature which recommends against it. I can only speak from personal experience that I would like to keep any limited mental capacity I may have so any precautions that can be taken, I would like to take. The anesthesiologist (K.S.) agreed and said the reason that propofol isn't used exclusively more often is that it is more expensive than the very cheap gas. He took me under with only Propofol. My first words, after 1 hr. 15 min of surgery, in the recovery room were, "Were you able to use the Propofol?" There had been some question and he was going to watch my reactions while under but all went okay. Thanks to the powers that be for Anesthesiologists and Doctors that are willing to step outside of the box.

Back to the surgery. I had various trimmings and adjustments to revise the reconstruction that was done in June. Nothing major but requiring general anesthesia none-the-less. The edges of my abdominal scar were lipoed so that they would lay down flatter and not look like rabbit ears. A little bumpy place was removed under my arm that rubbed and caused pain during yoga. The edges were rounded and smoothed. All went well. Stitches all around in about 4 places.

I was told that I couldn't shower for 48 hours - two days. Oh no, I told the recovery room nurse. That can't be. I have an interview on Thursday morning and have to shower to go to that. The nurse re-evaluated and said that I could shower Thursday morning.

They gave me two shots of morphine and I was good to go home. Starving, of course and had to go to Olive Garden for dinner first before going home and passing out. Wednesday brought no pain and therefore no need for pain killers. I prepared for my interview, talked to friends, filled out the job application.

On Thursday, I was up at 6:30 to get prepared for the 9:00AM interview. I gingerly removed the bandages covering the stitches and noted some bleeding. I hopped in the warm shower which felt so good. Came out. More bleeding. Oh goodness, I thought. It probably was too soon to remove the bandages but the deed was done. I walked around for a while trying to air dry the stitches and stem the bleeding. Finally got dressed and headed off to my interview.

The interview was 4 hours long and went well. I had no pain (physical anyway) and only worried about bleeding through my clothes. Came home feeling pretty energized, not exhausted as I thought. Proceeded to fill out the job app for my next interview which is today (Friday). That seems to be the protocol now. Get the interview and then fill out the company app with all the same stuff that is on your resume before going to the interview. They claim that the job apps only take 20 - 30 min to fill out but each has taken me over 1 hour. Maybe it is that decreased Mental acuity? HaHa.

Rested the rest of the afternoon. My interview today is not until the afternoon. I am ready but still have one more hour before leaving. Ugh. Want to finish and move on to the weekend already. The first company called me this morning and asked me to come back for final rounds next week. Good news. Just hope today goes equally well.

So that is my story of how to have surgery and look for a job in the same week. Crazy. But so is life. I am supposed to be recuperating and not going anywhere or doing anything for 5 - 7 days and then taking things easy for the next few weeks but when a good opportunity comes up, you have to go for it (with jobs, that is). Believe me, if it seems damage will be done, I will put my health first. So far, so good however. Still, it will be really nice to reach the weekend and rest. Whew!........