Hypogastric Mass Surgery

February 20, 2018 Tuesday

I received a text message from the surgeon reminding me of my surgery to remove the hypogastric mass on my stomach today at 1 pm. He also instructed me to take 500 mg Ponstan at 12:30 noon. This was the first time a doctor reminded me of my appointment or procedure.

I took double dosage of my blood pressure maintenance tablet because I was shaking even before we left the house for Cardinal Santos Hospital. I figured my BP could shoot up while I was at the operating room so instead of half tablet of Concore 5 mg, I took one whole.

My daughter took the day off from work to accompany me to Cardinal Santos Hospital. Today I was the kid and she was the mom.

Hospital couture

The minor surgery was done inside the operating room. I didn’t have photos because I left my belongings including my phone with Oyen. Lying down on the narrow operating table made me feel like I was about to give birth and the doctors were going to do a cesarean section.

There were 5 people in there aside from me. Dr. Gerald Sy the surgeon, a nurse, one resident, one intern, and another young doctor who graduated from UST.

Before they performed the operation, the nurse read and said it aloud– my name, my birthday, the doctor’s name, today’s date, the intern doctor’s name, the procedure to be performed. Dr. Sy also validated the information. It was a weird feeling, I felt like I was about to die while she was reading my name. It was like in the movies… after they said the person’s name, it was followed by the time of death. Morbid.

Dr. Sy was teaching and testing the intern while the operation was on-going. He asked the young doctor which part of the wound has the most pressure. He couldn’t answer. My eyes were closed but I could hear them. I was waiting for his answer ang tagal nya. My guess was the middle portion. I was right. Sya, kahit hula lang wala. Then while Dr. Sy was closing my wound, he tested the guy again. Hindi naman nakasagot, ang sabi lang “I know it…. ahhhh… ahhh…” Ennnggkkk no answer. Doctors must have extraordinary memories. Dr. Sy told him there are things that doctors must know, things that are good to know… He also told the intern that every part of a human body has a different characteristic that’s why during surgery the doctor must know how to approach each part differently.

After the operation, the nurse did the same thing. She read my name aloud, etc. It didn’t feel weird anymore hearing my name after the operation, at least I was sure I was still alive because I could hear her loud and clear.

I was so terrified while they were preparing me for the operation. I tried to pray but I was too exhausted. I psyched myself up and took deep breaths baka kasi sa nerbyos ako ma tiguk.

Dr. Sy injected the surrounding area of the cyst 4 times. I was awake the whole time that’s why I was aware of what was going on.

Dr. Sy was really nice. He explained to me what he was going to do, the expectations, the pain, etc. Magaan ang kamay nya, I only felt 4 stings, not pain. It was all in my mind. I tried to calm down for fear that my mental strength would render the anesthesia less effective. Remember nung araw nagpabunot ako ng ipin, sa nerbyos ko hindi tumalab yung anesthesia. naubos yung stock ng anesthesia sa dental clinic sa dami ng injection sa gums ko.

There were three instances I felt some faint pain while Dr. Sy was stitching me up. He said it was also good at times to feel some slight pain, at least we know I am still active. A better way of saying at least we know I am still alive.

Taking out the mass was faster than I expected. He asked me if I wanted to see it. It was colored cream, irregular in shape, approximately 3/4 ” x 1/2″. He sliced it open to show me what was inside the sac. It was a creamy yellowish substance like mayonnaise. Dr. Sy said the way it looks he thinks the chances of it being benign increased from 99% to 99.99% but there is still .01 percent which again he will not be able to answer. Okay talaga si doc. Hindi na lang ni round off to 100% benign, he left some .01 possibility which only the biopsy could determine for sure according to him.

He’ll remove the thread and give me the biopsy result after three days.

Edmund arrived at the ambulatory operating room some 20 minutes after the procedure kasi he played golf muna with Aboy Dy in Wack-Wack. With him and Oyen around, he said I have a full support.

I could walk naman but the hospital staff insisted that I should use a wheel chair. I was wheeled from the operating room to the ground floor. Standard operating procedure daw yun.  Nakakahilo to ride on a wheel chair. It makes me feel sick.
I have been feeling nauseated lately. I probably have vertigo.

Edmund said the hospital has to do that to distinguish patients from visitors otherwise baka daw ako tumakbo at hindi magbayad.