All I knew from all the phones calls back and forth of trying to get me in to get this neck biopsy was that I finally had an apt. at 7:30 am at RiverBend on the 3rd floor. (It didn't occur to me to ask anymore questions) So this morning Ryan and I arrive at Riverbend's N.W. Specialty clinics building right at 7:30 and go up to the 3rd floor only to find it dark and empty! We scurry around to find someone with no luck, so we survey the building directory to see if the Dr's name would ring a bell......nope....but it seems like the 4th floor would be a good try. (because they had a pathology suite) Up the elevator we go, with the same results, dark & empty!! Now I'm starting to panic a little, so our next mission is to find any living person that works there to ask.....we run into a few behind the desk after some searching but no one see my name under their patient list. Finally we decide to try the Pavilion building, thankfully there were more signs of life here, so we made our way to the 3rd floor, but ran into the same dead-end. However this receptionist suggestion we try the 3rd floor of the actual hospital because they have a surgery department there. So off we go, walking fast and both of us are a little frustrated and irritable (well maybe it was just me that was irritalbe) The receptionist again didn't see us on her list-but behold an angel-she took my info and said she would work on it and find out where I belong!! After 7min, she let us know we needed to be in the main hospital, 1st floor to the imaging center.
Feeling relieved we finally at the right place, we rush down there, mind we are now 30min late. We got checked in, where she informed me I would be admitted into the hospital for this biopsy.....what?! I thought it was going to be a in-an-out type thing, so I know had to mental prepare for this now-somewhat of a big deal biospy. So I get a room, change into the gown per the nurses instructions and them the Doctor walks in and says "Change of plans, were going to have you go to the NW Speciality clinics building to do this instead, so put your clothes back on and we'll make sure you are seen soon" WHAT???!!!! Ummmmmm.......What? At this point all my frustration and emotions were boiling over and broke down-right there in front of the doctor, demanding that I must be seen asap-(because remember I can't take my blood thinner meds until I have this biopsy) So the Dr. and nurse step out for a moment, them they come back in an let me know my apt. is at 10:30 (which was 2hrs away) and they he offered me a Valium to take the "edge" off. haha. Yes, i will take that please!
So 10:30 comes, Ryan and I check in and the Dr. proceeds with the biopsy. The lymph node was pretty small, so it was hard for him to find. Once he did find it, he explained he'll take a sample them look at it under the microscope and if need be, take another sample. He also explained he tells his patients what he finds (Which is nice a rare) Well he ended up taking 4 samples!! and this isn't the most pleasant thing in the world, as Ryan put it, "he put a long needle in and them jackhammered it" Which really means, with the hollow needle he needs to make sure and collect enough to get results, so yes he moved it up and down and around vigorously. After all four samples, he let me know that he did see the abnormal cells in my lymph, but could not tell if they were cancer yet, he'd need to run a few more tests. I'm sure on my next big apt. on the 4th Dr. Winter will discuss the results.
You'd think that would be the big adventure for the day huh? Well, like the title "no organ is safe" this was only the beginning.....
After the biopsy, i was extremely tired, I haven't got the best sleep last night. So first thing to do when I got home was administer my first blood thinner dose (remember it's an injection....fun) then take a nap. Ok, gave myself the shot (wont go into details about that) then got snuggled on the couch with the pups and had myself a wonderful nap! Ryan came home from work around 2:30 and woke me up (not on purpose, but the door opening and the dogs barking did the trick) after being awake for 30 min. or so I notice my chest feels tight. But I thought I was because I had slept on my side, so didn't pay much attention to it....until it didn't go away and in fact got worse, it was hard to breath in deeply and I would cough/wheeze when I would breath out.
YIKES!! This is what Dr. Winter warned me about.....symptoms to be aware of if the blood clot moved into my lungs. I called Dr. Winter to let him know my symptoms and he said get to the ER right away. OK this is scary! Ryan and I jump in the car and fly to the ER, they take me in right away. My chest pain, is now coming a going, sometime I feel no pain at all. So the ER Dr. asks lots of questions and I explain to him the craziness of the past two days. He was intrigued bout my neck biopsy I had just had done, he explained sometimes the needle can acciedentally puncture the lung because it's so close ( remember the "jack hammer?!") And since my vital were pretty stable, he wanted to get a chest x-ray before he ran any test to scan my lung for a blood clot. With in 20 min, the results were in. My left lung is partially collapsed! hahhaha, seriously?! You may find it odd I laugh, but what else can you do, I mean really.....this is just nuts. In all honestly, this was very scary situation and the best outcome is what happened-no blood clot in the lungs! So now after all, I did get admitted into the hospital for overnight. The Dr. said the puncture is very small and it should heal on it's own quickly. He wants to keep me here overnight so that I can breath oxygen to help my lung heal. He'll take a new x-ray in the morning.
So no organ is safe!! Glad this had a happy ending, and here are some fun pictures :) I had to sent Ryan home because he was making me laugh too much...which hurt really bad!
What I learned....
- This is a minor hiccup in the grand picture of things.
- We are so blessed! Both Ryan and I have been blown away from everyone's response to this, it truly does make a difference. Reading your FB posts, emails and texts makes us feel like were are not along in this....it makes us feel we have quite the army behind us...or rather in front- interceding for us on our behalf.
- To be thankful. I can thank The Lord for the answers to prayers, even when i don't see them yet.
- Humor is the best medicine!! Im so glad Ryan and I can laugh together even in the midst of all this....thank you Lord for Ryan.
Good night all!
It's hard to see....but it's partially collapsed I swear
My cool oxygen head gear and the blue circle bandaid is where they took the biopsy
This guy....no words can say enough. 