Finally it's Done but with 3 Holes and 5 Stones

Our Sticker Pass to OPD

Finally, it's done. The Mammotome procedure was done on me last Tuesday. My schedule was at 1pm. We got in Medical City 10 minutes before 12 noon. We proceeded to the Breast Clinic but we're asked to go to the HMO clinic first for endorsement. When we got the papers, I got to complete the patients form and was asked to wait inside the clinic. I was called to enter the operating area at 1:40pm. There was a waiting area in the operating room. I was given a hospital gown and asked to change. Hubby also stayed inside the waiting area. I was escorted to the operating room proper at 2pm.

That was the start of one of the longest 2 hours of my life. Upon entering the room, I was asked to lie on the operating table. I was kinda shy seeing a guy inside the room but totally forgot about it when the surgeon started moving. Waah. The 1st thing they did was an ultrasound. I was expecting that they will hang a cover by my face so that I will not see the procedure but they didn't. I was facing the monitor throughout the procedure. All the while, I was thinking that only one mass will be removed but the surgeon did ultrasound on both breast. There were 2 masses in my right and 3 masses in my left. This didn't matched my latest ultrasound which only showed 2 masses on my left. The new mask that was seen has an irregular shape mass. I hope this is nothing serious.

Anyway here is what I have noted during the procedure:

2pm to 2:19
Ultrasound was done by the surgeon. Pictures of the masses where captured and printed.

2:19 - 3:03
The biggest mass was removed. I got 4 shots of anesthesia because I started to feel pain during the last part of the mass removal. Sobrang malalim na yata yung mass. Sobrang ngalay na din ako. I was praying that it will be done soon.

3:03 - 3:07
The surgeon dig a new hole on me for the other mass. Hindi daw kaya with just one hole. The position was far from the 1st one. Another shot of anesthesia inside. It was good that it did not take so long. They were already able to clean and put gauze on my wounds.

3:07 - 3:10
1st shot of anesthesia on my left. Then 2nd shot was done inside. When she starts drilling down. I felt pain. She again gave me another shot of anesthesia. The 1st mass in my left was removed.

3:11 - 3:23
Another shot of anesthesia. Used the same hole to remove the 2nd mass in my left.

3:24 - 3:49
Another shot of anesthesia for the location of the 3rd mass. The surgeon used the same hole.

3:49 - 4pm
Cleaning time and changed hospital gown. The previous gown was already stained with some blood.

During the procedure, I wanted to tell the doctor to stop kasi nangangalay na ako. I was also scared about the pain I'm feeling while the 1st mass was being removed. I am also not prepared for a bilateral mammotome. I thought, only the biggest mass will be removed. It was so tiring. I can still recall the words that I am hearing from the surgeon and the assisting nurses which are POSITION & SAMPLE. Position is when the suction is being stopped to monitor or locate the mass. This is also the time when the surgeon is verifying if all the mass was already removed. SAMPLE means that the surgeon is now ready to get a sample of the mass. This is the removal of the mass - part by part. Whew. The next sound that I'll be hearing similar to a hand dryer. I am also seeing the assisting nurse getting the sample from the suction instrument to the sample container. Each mass has its own container. Another word that I remembered was LIGHT. Lights "ON" for the 1st level anesthsia. Lights "OFF" if it is being injected inside because the surgeon is looking at the sono monitor. I was happy when the lights was permanently turned "ON" because we're already done.

After I changed my gown, I was escorted by the nurse to the waiting room so I can change. After changing, my knees started to shake. I don't know why. I felt cold and weak. But it was gone after some minutes. I was thankful that it was finally over but my hands are totally red. Sobrang nangalay siguro because it was placed under my head while the procedure is being done.

Until now, I am still not sure it I still want this procedure or just the ONE TIME BIG TIME operation which I have before. I was 100% awake during the procedure and it's kinda torture. My eyes were focused on the screen. I don't want to look at the injection and the suction tool. I was counting the minutes and hoping that it will be done soon. Anyway, the agony will not be over until tomorrow. I have a check-up with the surgeon and will also be receiving the Biopsy result. I hope it will be benign.

Another concern I have is the Total of 10 Anesthesia shots that I got. I'm hoping that it will not affect my memory. I don't want another attack of MOMNESIA. Hehe.