The haemangioma surgery

Tuesday 3:00 a.m.

I wonder why I had to be at the hospital at 7:30 a.m. Ed brought me over there, but had to leave for his meeting at 9 a.m. I had mixed feelings when he left and felt all alone, thirsty and hungry. I was happy when I heard a knock on the door; it was my sweet friend Fabienne with gorgeous flowers and a card from her and Jolieke. It filled my eyes with tears, Jolieke had written me some very sweet and caring words. Carine also called yesterday to ask if I needed anything. It feels good to know that you have real friends.

At 10:00 a.m the nurse came with the most beautiful and sexy blue hospital gown and a shot to relax me. It worked; I felt giddy as if I had smoked a ‘funny’ cigarette. At 10:30 they rolled my bed and me to the surgery. I told Fabienne that she didn’t have to wait for my return; it could take a while.

I went into a deep sleep and was returned to my room at 12:15 p.m..
It’s no fun coming out of surgery when nobody is there waiting for you, but I remember the phone rang when the nurse left the room. I don’t remember anything else, I wasn’t fully awake yet, but it was Ed calling to check on me and to tell me that he was on his way back. My parents came in very short after. They had arrived just after Fabienne left and since I was not in the room they went for a drink in the cafeteria.

Ed finished his meeting and hurried back (my parents left ) I was glad he came in because I had to go to the bathroom. My legs were still wobbly, but otherwise I felt OK; no nausea or anything. My nose was open and I COULD BREATHE, but not for long. The swelling started and fifteen minutes later my nostril was closed. From there on some fluid started dripping out, one drop at a time. I could not ask the nurses why because I was at another department due to a lack of space. When I was waiting for the doctor to come by to release me, I had a long phone conversation with Jolieke. She asked my every detail about today.

It was 6 p.m. when doctor Van Dyck came by to explain how the surgery went. I am very satisfied by the way he explained everything, not all specialists are like him. The haemangioma was larger and deeper than he had expected. He told us it had the shape of a bunch of grapes, but smaller of course. He removed the hemangioma and cauterised the surface. He took pictures before and after, which I hope to see next Friday. I need to make the appointment for the post-op check today.

Now it's 4:00 a.m: I can't sleep, my throat hurts, am thirsty all the time from breathing through my mouth and my nose is still dripping. My headache is bearable. I also have sore muscles in my shoulders, I don’t know why.

Thank you all for the sweet cards, thoughts, good vibes and caring words on my blog and in my mail.
It really meant a lot to me. My thoughts are also going out to Karen who had her surgery last Friday.

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