Our first trip to the Austin Hospital

A bit late with this update!

Tuesday (13th March) was our first trip to the Austin Hospital.  I can't believe how different it is since I was last there (which I can't remember when).

Ray's first stop was an appointment with the anesthetist who went through his side of the procedure.  As he will be under general anesthetic for such a long time, they will bring him out of it very slowly.  After the procedure he will go to the ICU where they will feed him low dose sedatives for at least 24 hours.  Hopefully by Sunday he will be awake for longer periods of time.  He certainly won't be talking until they remove the feeding tube and at this stage we don't know how long he will have that.

They are very happy about his overall health and believe he is fit enough to endure the 10-12 hour surgery.  The CT scan that he'd had done was totally clear and all of his vitals are fine.
The only thing they didn't know was his blood type which is quite important if he needs a transfusion.  Hence, a visit to pathology too.

Next came a visit to radiology where they took a biopsy of the "suspect" lymph node in his neck.  This was done with a fine needle and sent to pathology straight away to make sure they got it right (which they did).  Alas, the only paperwork they could give him was for a breast biopsy (for which this procedure is standard practice in breast cancer).  We did have a bit of a laugh when I read that they had "placed a small icepack in your bra".
Well I never!

Time to grab a sandwich as Ray had to fast for the biopsy and it was lunch time.  He was famished!

Last stop was the blood test so they could find out his blood group and all the blood information should a transfusion be necessary.

Today was hopefully the last test he needs to have before the operation.

This one was the CT scan on his legs to make sure that the nerves, blood vessels and bone are going to be a-ok for the transplant.
This time he said when the dye was injected, he had a whole body hot flush.
Welcome to Menopause I said!
He was out of the hospital not only 30 minutes and the hospital called to say that they'd made an appointment for him for next Tuesday for a CT Scan.  Now, if you know my husband, you will know that he yelled at them - I've just come out of a CT and you want me to have another one?
Yes, she said, we need one on your legs ......
Well I will leave the rest to your imagination - needless to say that she was happy that he'd already had it done!


Now we just wait .....

We are both totally exhausted from the broken sleep each night and I am so jealous that he will get a good 3 days sleep.  Although I must admit we both had a good sleep last night and it's great when you feel so much better afterward and feel that you can move on and be normal until the next couple of sleepless nights.

Until next time,
Barb
xx