GOOD NEWS FROM THE SURGEON

I was very early arriving at Princess Margaret Hospital Head and Neck Clinic. My 8.45 am dental appointment with Dr. Wood only took 1o minutes so my wait at the clinic ended up being about two hours until my appointment at 10.45 am with Dr. Gullan. I didn't mind though as there was a computer available and lots of reading material plus I use these down times to write my journals. Time passed quickly and soon I went into an examination room to see the doctor. He was very pleased with the way the incision was healing and carefully took the stitches out. He informed me that while they didn't have the pathology results back yet, they did have a very good look around in my neck and throat during the surgery and couldn't see any evidence of any cancer left. I was elated with the news and after I expressed my sincere thanks to the doctor and his team I left the hospital on top of the world. After a quick lunch at PMH lodge I was on my way home with my Cancer Society driver phoning and texting my family and friends with the good news. I will write later about how my neck and throat heals and how the nerves gradually start to reattach and regenerate. I cannot help but Praise my Lord and Savior for His mercy and grace. Thank you Jesus.

MORE TRIPS TO TORONTO

I moved to the Georgian Bay area to get away from Toronto never dreaming that I would one day spend so much time travelling back and forth to in the city again. This coming week I am scheduled on Monday to go to Toronto General Hospital to have my G tube (feeding tube) removed. Then on Tuesday I am to meet my surgeon Dr. Gullan at Princess Margaret Hospital for a follow up to my surgery. Unfortunately I couldn't get the appointments changed to the same day so I decided to stay over Monday night at PMH lodge. This worked out well as lately I have been having tooth ache so I was able to get an appointment with my dentist Dr. Wood at Princess Margaret Hospital also on Tuesday. This makes it a little easier on the Cancer Society drivers who fit their driving schedule around my appointments. These drivers are amazing and always so friendly and helpful, and yes they are volunteers who only get paid gas mileage. My trip usually takes about just over two hours each way and the driver waits around if I am coming back on the same day. This makes for a long day for these volunteers but I have never heard one complain, except about the Toronto's traffic.

RECOVERY AND THEN HOME

Toronto General Hospital - 6th Floor Ward
Aftermath of my neck surgery
(Click on photos for larger image)


View of the neck surgery - Cut runs from just above the ear to the centre of my throat.

The next few days were spent recovering from the surgery. I found myself sleeping a fair amount but I guess that is part of the healing process. I walked a fair amount and also spent time on the computer. The nurses were constantly checking in and taking my blood pressure, heart beat and temperature and during the night they checked on us every hour. The key to getting home was the amount of fluid my neck drain put out. As soon as it puts out below 10cc's over 24 hours, the drain will be removed and the discharge papers issued by the doctor. My room mate lives in Brampton so had numerous visitors although he confessed that it was quiet tiring entertaining people all the time. In my case as I live 2 hours north of Toronto, I had no visitors so was glad that I took my DVD player with me. I spent the evenings watching some good movies which passed the time. Saturday I was unhooked from my IV drip which made it a lot easier to move around and on Sunday morning I had my neck drain removed and got my discharge papers. My son drove down to pick me up and by 1.30pm I was back in Wasaga Beach in my own home. I would like to express my sincere appreciation to all the Doctors, Nurses and hospital staff who made my stay as comfortable as possible. One lovely young lady saw my Bible on my bed and brought me a whole list of healing scriptures. My main nurse was Celeste who was just an amazing lady. Always happy and smiling and nothing I asked her to do was too much trouble. Thanks and God bless you Celeste for everything.