The final instalment of the Saga of the Lump actually started last Thursday. Simon had taken the day off work so that I could go to a Revenue and Customs class on allowable business expenses. He sent me a text in the middle saying ‘Ring me as soon as.’ I texted back saying I didn’t think we were going to get a break what was it. His reply was that the surgeon had rung about possible not doing the surgery as there was a new beta blocker protocol. I was fuming. All well and good to tell us all the options, but 3 days before he was to go in for the surgery?!?!
When I finally got to speak to the Consultant, Mr Dick, he explained that he felt that it was important that we have all the information. But I did not feel like we got it all as he couldn’t tell us side effects, length of treatment or anything else except that beta blockers had been known to work. I told him forget it, let’s operate. He agreed.
We arrived at the hospital at about 745. We checked in with reception and headed up to the Day Procedures Ward (henceforth known as DPW). Simon and I watched with much amusement as a youngish lady walked onto the ward wearing a Little Black Dress. We raised our eyebrows at each other. And then did so again when she came over and introduced herself as a member of the team operating on Adam. There has since been debate as to whether she always dresses that way or if she was on her way out after or if she had just arrived from the night before!
She then informed us that Adam would need his blood typed and cross matched because they just weren’t sure how many veins there were or how big they might be. They usually use something they call ‘magic cream’ for inserting needles on children, but it takes 45 minutes to work and there just weren’t 45 minutes available. So we held Adam down as they tried to get blood out of what looked like a good vein in his foot. He cried hysterically as the needle was inserted, with Simon and I holding him, stroking his face and talking to him. No blood came through the needle, but when the needle was removed he bleed copiously so they put a tube under that and viola they had the blood they needed!
Adam continued to be hysterical as I scooped him up and held him, with Simon pressing a pad on his foot to stop the bleeding, until Adam finally fell asleep in my arms. At this point he was only wearing a nappy as they had to remove his footed PJs to find a vein for the blood letting, as it came to be called!
He slept for about 45 minutes and then we were taken to the pre-theatre playroom. He had remained in just a nappy and it was chilly in there so I regretted not redressing him or bringing him a blanket. It is the only room in the hospital that Simon and I have ever been in that wasn’t completely over heated!
After a short wait, during which Adam entertained himself pushing buttons on this light display thing (if he’d been older, he could have played their Wii! Very well stocked play room!!). Then we were told that since he is 1, only one parent could take him back. So Simon said ‘You go. You can sing to him.’ Simon kissed him and Adam and I went into the anaesthesiology room. Just like last time, when he had GA for his MRI, he fought hard against the mask, but this time even singing didn’t calm him. The gas finally won and he was asleep. I kissed his cheek and his forehead, told him I loved him, and was led from the room. And that’s when I nearly lost it. I was fine up until then, but leaving him there, so small, unconscious, without me, the tears came. The person who was walking me out cracked some stupid joke and the moment passed.
Simon and I were starving at this point so we went to the cafe and had some coffee and some food and waited. And waited. And waited.
Mr Dick just came to us after about an hour and said it was over. Adam was fabulous and it was easy to remove. The mass would be sent to pathology but Mr Dick was convinced it was benign, just a mass of puss and blood and fluid.
After about 15 minutes we were told we could go down to recovery. We heard Adam long before we saw him, crying his head off. He stopped once he saw us. We let him swallow some milk and then took him back to the DPW.
Once there we were informed that Dr Taylor, the anaesthesiologist, was concerned about pain due to the length of the incision. It was suggested we stay on the ward for at least another 2 hours to see how Adam was as the local wore off and then perhaps overnight for pain management.
Adam in hospital pram, post-surgery.
We tried to get Adam to sleep, even taking him for a walk in a hospital pram, but he just wouldn’t settle. At 2pm Simon realized he was starving and went to get a sandwich as I tried to get Adam some painkiller as he seemed sore when he moved his arm.
Just minutes after Simon left, Dr Taylor showed up. I said to him ‘I think he hurts, but he’s so unsettled, I am not sure staying here is the best idea.’
Dr Taylor said ‘Well, how about we give you some codeine, you take him home, where I agree he will probably settle better, and if you need us, ring?’
‘Deal!’ I said and rang Simon, who had just grabbed a sandwich!
And so we came home.
Now, 5 days post op, we’ve had the pressure bandage removed and replaced with regular plasters, which are coming off tonight. His scar goes side to side, when Simon and I both thought it would go up and down. Adam has had no pain. And, as we were told it might, the area is swollen and filled with fluid, which should be reducing in the next day or two. It is, almost, like the lump is still there.
This worries me a bit, of course. But I’ll see what its like on Monday.
Adam has a follow up with Mr Dick in 3 months, on 30th September. But, so far as we know, The Saga of The Lump is over.
Almost a year to the day it began…
