Change of plans

 The Melcher family has a bit of a reputation for making plans and then, sometimes, immediately changing the plans, they just made. 

We are definitely guilty of this.  So here is the change. 

I have cancelled my surgery for tomorrow! 

Why? I have a cold. I have worked hard to get rid of it, but it persists. and after consulting with the experts, it is the best course of action considering what we know. 

We know...Intubating and and managing a patient who is compromised (has a cold) can be a problem for the anesthetist.  It can make it hard to take the patient off of artificial support, it can create the environment for pneumonia to start and is generally not recommended for "elective surgery".

But wasn't my surgery emergency? 

Well, it was on January 9th, when I was in excruciating pain and we didn't know the cause, but today, I have gone a month without any discomfort and no real change in anything, except, I'm a bit afraid to move quickly. 

But, you could have cancer, isn't that reason enough to move forward?

Well, my oncologist has "no absolute evidence that I have cancer". She is concerned about the masses, she wants to remove them, but their presentation is not typical of cancer.  

That is good news, right?! And I am secretly hoping they are fatty masses that are annoying, but not malignant. 

Yes, I am thrilled that she still has enough doubt about the masses, that she is willing to delay surgery until I am cold symptom free. 

If she was absolutely sure it was cancer, she would take the risk of pneumonia, because it may improve my overall survival, but without evidence, she has to treat this as "elective". 

But what if it is cancer? This is the unknown. Sooooo....

In the end, she left the decision up to me. Do I want to take an increased risk of complications with anesthesia, knowing there is a possibility that the masses may not be a threat at all. Or, do I want to take the aggressive approach and consider the unknown as the greater risk? 

I brought in all of my most esteemed personal consultants and we agreed that, considering I definitely have a cold,  and I do not definitely have cancer, I should delay the surgery with the hope that a 2-3 week delay will not compromise my survival, even if I do have cancer. 

Of course, this could be the wrong decision, but I am feeling pretty confident that the masses are not changing (at least in any way that I can feel) and that my cold is definitely getting the better of me, despite my gallant effort to kill it. Colds just run their course, despite all of our best efforts. It is just how they are. 

Frustrating day, but I am hopeful that we made the right choice. 


Looks like March 2 is the new date. 



Comments

  1. CarolineFebruary 8, 2023 at 11:57 PM

    As Sœren Kierkegaard said: we live our lifes forward, but we only understand looking backwards ....

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. CarolFebruary 9, 2023 at 5:27 PM

      Dear Caroline, You are my link to the philosophers, the wise ones and I love that about you.

      Delete
  2. Barbara MordueFebruary 9, 2023 at 5:38 AM

    Take these next 3 weeks to heal in every possible way.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. CarolFebruary 9, 2023 at 5:29 PM

      I am unfortunately, taking a negative turn on my cold, but think it will resolve once the turmoil settles.

      Delete

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