Hi all,
I spoke to the doctor today and it seems like they are still going to to the lymphectomy and examination under anaesthetic (EUA) on the 4th.
It seems the second opinion didn't pass muster at the multi-disciplinary meeting, and it is still being treated as invasive cancer. Boo Hisss... is all I can say.
Anyway, I got a full run-down of this operation last week at the Marsden. It will be robotic and laproscopic. Which means it will be done using a remote controlled machine, and via small holes. When I say remote, I assume the surgeon will be sitting next to me - not in Barbados! But it is referred to as Robotic.
Probably not this exact robot...
There is a small chance that if they can't get the tools/cameras in, then it would be open surgery, but the risk for me is very small as I've never had other abdominal surgery, therefore its unlikely there is unexpected scar tissue which could cause problems.
Time and Recovery
I'm first on the list on the 4th (at something like 9am). I arrive at 7.30, and the operation is expected to take about 2.5 hours. It may be that I can leave that night, but it depends on how things go. I think they normally expect you to stay at least one night.
I did say before that they would only take a few nodes to check, but apparently this is when they try to take all the nodes in the groin area. So that's why it is still quite a big operation.
The results
The main issue here is reviewing all the nodes. So long as they are clear, and the EUA is ok, then I will be re-staged, and they will decide if I can do the trachelectomy.
The professor emphasised that there is nothing on the scans to indicate there are any problems in the nodes. So they do still expect them to be clear. If they are not, well, then no Trachelectomy, and probably radiation. So everyone, fingers crossed, and various deities prayed to that everything comes back clear.
I don't really know what they are looking for on the EUA. Maybe a few biopsies, and see how all the various organs are lined up. I had thought you could see most of that on an MRI, but I suppose they want to see it for themselves to make sure the surgical plan still makes sense.
Post Op
Once I'm home, the recovery is at least a week, but my googling has indicated it's up to 2 weeks before you can get back to normal activities. I'll need to stay on blood thinners for 4 weeks, which I think is daily injections. I can do them now with my IVF experience! Plus surgical stocking things for 3-6 months to reduce the risk of lymphodema. I don't have the full details, but I presume they will look like this:
A girl can dream! And obviously my legs already look like that.
p.s. Apologies macmillian if I have breached the decency rules here... you have no idea how hard it was to find an acceptable image!
