A date with Dr Ng

A date?
Several dates, to be exact.
well, those were actually appointment with my surgeon, Dr Ng Char Hong. some said he is among the best in his field. one of the best Breast surgeon? general surgeon? as fas as i am concerned he is my cute surgeon. (lalalalalalalala).

My last chemo was in early June and a week after, it was decided, mastectomy it is.
I kinda just go with the flow. I didn't look further than what alternative treatments i have in hand, but i trust the decision taken was in the best interest of my family especially Oya.

Yes, i kinda feel i don't have much time if i don't act fast.

So on June 25th 2013, i had the operation done.

Oh yes, i was anxious. Who wouldn't. It's kinda a major op for me (apart from c-sect) and also the thought of losing my right breast is...was....surprisingly didn't really bother me at all.

Oh yes, i was more afraid of the pain after the drug was gone than losing my breast.
I was kinda hoping that i'd have similar sensation as my 1st and 2nd c-section. I didn't feel much pain during those 2. Only those "pedih2, perit2" at the end of the stitches.

So, i  was warded for 2 nights at UMSC. ....UMSC you'd say? yes, it's the private wing of UMMC @ PPUM @ UH. Many are not aware but the main building is located between MAHSA College and entrance to UM. But the ward is located at Menara Timur UH, Level 10.

on the 2nd day, my blood pressure dipped till 75/44 from 90ish/50ish. so i guess naturally i do have a low BP but at this reading? hence, the doc ordered 2 bags of blood 0+ for me..yummeh (ewww)..

I was discharged with 2 tubes attached to me for drainage. hence today, i had a follow-up to remove tube for Bottle B and dang it was painful !!!! i know it was only for 10 seconds but it was like having a knife cutting through your finger.

Bottle A is another story. When it was attached to me, the nurse forgot to remove the lock function and there was no fluid in the bottle. so i went to UMSC today with high hopes of getting both removed.
unfortunately, the good doctor unlocked the bottle and a gush of 30ml blood+liquid poured in.
so, in 24hrs, if the level is less than 30ml on top of today's measurement, i could have it removed by monday.

But i guess i won't be able to buy my ticket back to Sabah (for a well-deserved rest) yet since at 6.41pm today, the measurement is already at 100ml (additional 40ml). oh no..:-(

in case you're wondering:-

Frequently, a drainage tube is inserted during surgery in their chest and attached to a small suction device to remove subcutaneous fluid. These are usually removed several days after surgery as drainage decrease to less than 20-30 ml per day

source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mastectomy

 sub·cu·ta·ne·ous  (sbky-tn-s)

adj.

Located or placed just beneath the skin: subcutaneous tissue; a subcutaneous implant.

---

subcu·tane·ous·ly adv.

source: http://www.thefreedictionary.com/subcutaneous

but i guess all is just gonna be ok. hopefully the liquid+blood will dry up soon.

WARNING!!!! Kalau cepat rasa geli or gross, sila la tengok ye...hahahah....

Cycle# 5 & 6 - Chemo & Post Chemo

Oh..it's been so long..told ya i'm not a blogger tegar....
well, Alhamdulillah. The last chemo (i'm crossing my finger) is over.
The result from the 5th one..well, was not so encouraging. The tumour size remains unchanged at 5cm.
But hey, it must really love my breast kan...wakakakak...
This last round..i feel the effect for about 1 week. Even as i was typing this, i still feel the heavy-chested feeling and my metal-mouthed has just started to reduce. phewwww.....

but, i've decided to do a right breast mastectomy. say what? yes my dear. I'm gonna remove the whole right breast and the chirpy surgeon announced happily that he ill also remove the lymph nodes. All this while he was looking at my breast wondering what size is my bra,. hahah...ok ok. he just had to do it. maybe he thought i was gonna do recon.

Recon is reconstruction of the breast. It's cosmetic procedure and you need doctor to actually lie for your insurance to pay for it.
so, i guess i'm not gonna do it. I'll just buy the bra that can give the same effect.

The surgery is gonna be on June 27th and reading on post-op care, well, do scare me a little.
Can i move my right hand? yes but not heavy lifting. means no dukung2 Oya for a month or so.
and oh,while the drainage tube is gonna be attached to me, i can't drive for min 2 weeks from what i read.
Thank god a friend has offered chauffeuring me to and fro office when i need to.
Thank god my boss has also offfered work-from-home thingy,.

Let's just see what happen then. Insyaallah, everything is gonna be just fine. Allah kan ada :-)

For those who wonder how much chemotheraphy costs, well here it is.
Hospital: PPUM/UMMC
Non-gov staff so has to pay on my own.

Pre-chemo (a day before chemo) - 3 weeks from the last chemo:
Take blood for test (immunity). Chemo will need to be postponed if my Blood count was not sufficient. (Luckily, mine was ok. all 6)
Review appointment with Oncologists to check on my condition.
Measure the tumour.
Get MC and prescription.
Go get anti-vomitting medicine.
Cost:
Oncologist & Blood test: RM67.00
Medicine: RM5 (From kaunter ubat biasa) and RM27 for 1pc of Kytril (from PharmUMMC-Farmasi).
Total: RM99.

Chemo day (if blood test ok. No news means good news):
Chemo which lasted about 2 hours.
Cost: about RM30

Total per chemo: RM129.00 excluding other expenses and extra medicine from pharmacy (if any).

But company got insurance kan? so claim la.
It's covered under Daycare and fee deducted from Hospitalisation fund (not the Clinic care fund).

haaaaa.....costly kan. betul la. preventive is better than cure.

My OP pun kalau buat kat PPUM is gonna cost around RM3000.00.
But i have decided to do it in UMSC(Private wing of PPUM). It gonna cost around RM12000.00.

kalau bayar sendiri...pergh....meroyan.

tapi takpela. betulkan nawaitu.
Kerana Allah SWT. Insyaallah, everything is gonna be just fine :-).