i think describing this past week as rough might be something of an understatement
so, where to begin?
i realized early last week that what had previously been a small bump on the right side of my neck had more than doubled in size. and it was hurting. not a good thing for a three time cancer survivor. so on tuesday i saw my oncologist's assistant who said go have it biopsied ASAP, even though she didn't think it was cancerous. on thursday, i saw the surgeon, who scheduled me into his busy day on friday to do the biopsy.
now, while i've reached a point where i'm not that bothered by minor surgeries any longer, i am still bothered by the fact that life post any kind of surgery tends to be rather painful. and it just so happens that i am allergic to almost all forms of pain-killing narcotics known to man. my allergic reaction is not typical. no hives or swelling. instead, i vomit. and vomit and vomit and vomit some more until i tear my esophagus and have to be rushed to the hospital. this has happened to me twice. it is not a pleasant thing.
there is only one narcotic that i've been able to tolerate thus far, and only in very low doses. so of course at the hospital on friday, both my surgeon and the anesthetist want to give me said narcotic. in a dose four times stronger than i've ever taken it before. and because i am an idiot, i let them talk me into it. so while the surgery went smoothly, except for the fact that i bit through my lip at some point on the operating table (ow), the entire rest of the day and part of the following day were pretty hellish as my system coped (poorly, i might add) with the narcotic. no more esophageal tears, but very very very intense nausea. every time i moved my head even the slightest bit, i felt as though the vomiting would begin.
on the bright side, the lump turned out to be a simple harmless cyst. on the less bright side, i have another cyst elsewhere that i have to get removed in a couple of weeks. i think something about my fucked up immune system has made me susceptible. it truly truly sucks.
also on the bright side, as i was sacked out on my parents' couch, i got to watch all of the Showtime series Weeds on On Demand cable. Funny show.
now i have frankenstein like stitches on the side of my neck that i'm not allowed to get wet and that can't come out until this thursday. this means going a week without a proper shower or being able to wash my hair. and of course it's the Jewish High Holiday of Rosh Hashanah this week, where ten times the usual number crowd into synagogue to pray. so i'll have to be seen by everyone and their brothers and sisters and parents and grandparents with dirty dirty dirty hair. fun fun fun.
and because of all this, i also didn't get to go to the St James Art Fair this weekend, which is one of Louisville's annual highlights. but the ever-wonderful Katy and Wes bought me a beautiful pair of cameo (my favorite!) earrings. thanks you guys! you rock!
i have bitched enough. i'm off to make a post-midnight snack. why am i craving tofu?
i realized early last week that what had previously been a small bump on the right side of my neck had more than doubled in size. and it was hurting. not a good thing for a three time cancer survivor. so on tuesday i saw my oncologist's assistant who said go have it biopsied ASAP, even though she didn't think it was cancerous. on thursday, i saw the surgeon, who scheduled me into his busy day on friday to do the biopsy.
now, while i've reached a point where i'm not that bothered by minor surgeries any longer, i am still bothered by the fact that life post any kind of surgery tends to be rather painful. and it just so happens that i am allergic to almost all forms of pain-killing narcotics known to man. my allergic reaction is not typical. no hives or swelling. instead, i vomit. and vomit and vomit and vomit some more until i tear my esophagus and have to be rushed to the hospital. this has happened to me twice. it is not a pleasant thing.
there is only one narcotic that i've been able to tolerate thus far, and only in very low doses. so of course at the hospital on friday, both my surgeon and the anesthetist want to give me said narcotic. in a dose four times stronger than i've ever taken it before. and because i am an idiot, i let them talk me into it. so while the surgery went smoothly, except for the fact that i bit through my lip at some point on the operating table (ow), the entire rest of the day and part of the following day were pretty hellish as my system coped (poorly, i might add) with the narcotic. no more esophageal tears, but very very very intense nausea. every time i moved my head even the slightest bit, i felt as though the vomiting would begin.
on the bright side, the lump turned out to be a simple harmless cyst. on the less bright side, i have another cyst elsewhere that i have to get removed in a couple of weeks. i think something about my fucked up immune system has made me susceptible. it truly truly sucks.
also on the bright side, as i was sacked out on my parents' couch, i got to watch all of the Showtime series Weeds on On Demand cable. Funny show.
now i have frankenstein like stitches on the side of my neck that i'm not allowed to get wet and that can't come out until this thursday. this means going a week without a proper shower or being able to wash my hair. and of course it's the Jewish High Holiday of Rosh Hashanah this week, where ten times the usual number crowd into synagogue to pray. so i'll have to be seen by everyone and their brothers and sisters and parents and grandparents with dirty dirty dirty hair. fun fun fun.
and because of all this, i also didn't get to go to the St James Art Fair this weekend, which is one of Louisville's annual highlights. but the ever-wonderful Katy and Wes bought me a beautiful pair of cameo (my favorite!) earrings. thanks you guys! you rock!
i have bitched enough. i'm off to make a post-midnight snack. why am i craving tofu?