Well my surgery went well. The tumor was benign! So glad. The surgery took over 3 hours and recovery was rough. I got pretty sick from the anesthesia. Poor Kevin was at the hospital from 5:00 am until 5 pm when I was finally discharged. I was a little shocked by how much they had to cut from my thumb. The tumor was vascular in nature and was wrapped around the tendon in my thumb and also had nerves all intertwined in it. It was eroding the bone so Dr. Fox had too cut my thumb from the tip down to the base of my hand. She even had to get out the microscope and tweezers to make sure she did not sever my nerve. Before the surgery I was given a block in my arm. That was NOT pleasant. They had to go through my arm pit and basically it was like an epidural in my arm. My entire arm and hand was numb. This was in case they had to amputate. They did not want me to have phantom limb pain. I was pretty much numb most of the day of surgery. The following day I was able to feel all but my thumb and index finger. My thumb is still numb now but I think that is from the nerve involvement more than the block. If I continue to have issues I will need reconstructive surgery, but right now I am taking it all one day at a time. I have been taking pain meds pretty much around the clock since last Friday. It is amazing how much pain I am in from just my thumb. I also realize how much I have taken for granted. Simple tasks like brushing my hair, teeth, and getting showered are amazingly difficult only using my left hand. I am right handed, so I am very clumsy using my left hand. I have some pics of my thumb. Warning...... If you have a weak stomach, you may not want to see them.
No comments:
Post a Comment