Monday, February 9, 2009

Countdown to surgery... 2 days

Duke called me on Friday to let me know my surgery will be this Wednesday. Thankfully, I won't have to go earlier than Wednesday to do my pre-op. They are letting me do it that morning.

I'll be getting the Caldwell Luc procedure done (don't click on that link if you have a weak stomach). My 3 previous sinus surgeries were done endoscopically, which was much less invasive. They will actually be drilling through bone this time to help assist in the draining of my sinuses. Of course, this will not be a permanent fix for my sinus problems.. no surgery ever is for those with Cystic Fibrosis. The chronic infections we have are just that.. chronic, so the infection can be managed, but not eradicated. This surgery though, is supposed to assist in better irrigation of the sinuses as opposed the previous surgeries I've had.

I think side effects from the surgery include pain (of course, LOL), numbness of the gums for several weeks, facial swelling, and bruising. There are other more serious side effects that I choose to ignore. :) My surgeon is excellent, and I trust him very much. I couldn't be in better hands!!

I am hoping to be discharged on Friday, with a follow-up to the ENT doc next week. Please keep me in your thoughts and prayers.

15 comments:

OceanDesert said...

Absolutely!!! I'll be thinking boutcha! Make sure they give you good cocktails to keep you comfortable! :) I'm sure it will be well worth it!!!

Anonymous said...

I'll be thinking of you! Duke is an excellent hospital, so you will be in good hands. (I'm not that far from you, I'm in Eastern NC) Please keep us updated! I'll say some prayers for you, too!

Heidi said...

We will be praying for you!!!
I am hoping they will keep you on some good pain meds! It appears to be much more invasive than our previous surgeries, so I pray that it HELPS! Have Jason keep us posted! Love ya girl!!

Jen said...

I will definitely keep you in my thoughts on Wednesday that everything goes smoothly and according to plan. Please keep us posted on how you are doing post-surgery!! I have never had problems with my sinuses before (knock on wood) so I don't really know what you are going through but I have had surgery before and no surgery is fun so hopefully they give you some good pain medication and you get better quickly! :)

*Tracy* said...

good luck! your in my thoughts and prayers! hugs

Anonymous said...

You got it!! I got the heeby jeebyz reading about the procedure. The key is tell them how nervous you are while waiting in pre-op and tell them you need a little something to calm your nerves...works everytime. I never remember even rolling into the room. Hey all of us go through a lot, a little cocktail isn't going to hurt anyone:) I guarantee you afterwards you will be kept comfy. Before you know it, you will be back to yourself again:) Just another bump in the road, me and you know how to fly over them at this point:)Have you huuby keep us posted on here.LU! XO

Christy said...

Thanks everyone for your thoughts and prayers.. I feel so loved. :)

Lori, I talked with Shannon about the procedure. She gave me some great advice... "Even though your gums will be numb by the second day and the pain will be much better, you can still get tons of sympathy when you show everyone all of the stitches in your mouth." LOL. How funny! I didn't realize she'd had this done TWICE already.. geeze.

Mandy said...

Thinking of you!

Mrs. O said...

I'll be praying for your speedy and pain-free recovery. You've been through so much and yet you've come through it with such strength, this should be a breeze. ;) You've given me much strength on days when I've been at my lowest just by your outlook in life. So, I'm sending you some of your strength back to you!! :)
{{{hugs}}}

Shea said...

I have assisted with this procedure before. I hope that it goes very smoothly and with as little pain as possible. I don't want to tell you that it's not as bad as you think, but I have had many patients tell me they were expecting worse. I'll be praying for you Christy.

Christy said...

Thanks Shea! I'm really not that worried about it. I know the pain doesn't last. :)

Debbie said...

I'll be praying for you.

Somer Love said...

Thinking of you! Sounds like you are in great hands!! Keep us updated and you are in my prayers!!

XOXOX

BloggyMom said...

Oh... I made the mistake of following the link. **Will not do that again** Ewwww!!!

Hope all goes well and you don't get whammed by the side effects.

Lisa J. said...

Consider yourself in my prayers. :)