Getting ready for surgery

Going through a lot of emotions in the last few weeks. I didn't really feel ready to write about it because it was a bit overwhelming at times.

Over Christmas break, I had a significant increase in the frequency and intensity of my coronary vasospasms (side effect I get from the 5fu) which resulted in me doing a lot of sitting for a few days and then following up with the cardiologist at Roswell. He increased my amlodipine. Calcium channel blockers help open up the arteries. He also prescriped me nitroglycerin pills if the vasospasms last longer than normal or are more intense. Coronary vasospasms can lead to heart attacks but it's not likely and my arteries and veins were very clear last year when they did the heart MRI so the doctor thinks it's very unlikely for me but better safe than sorry.

I've had an asthma flare-up since December that just won't go away. I did do a 9 day course of steroids but it's still going. Then, the first week of January I had CT scan and a pre-op with the thoracic surgeon. I've had additional tests since including breathing tests, bloodwork and typing, a 6 minute walk, a PET scan and this week I have a lung diffusion test and a follow-up with the thoracic surgeon. 

Mostly though, I'm just anxious about the surgery. My surgery will be on 2/6. I've met with the doctors and anesthesiologist as well as people to talk about the clinical trial. I'm a ball of nerves right now. The anesthesiologist was very nice and said that while this is a big deal for me, it's just another Tuesday for the team doing my surgery. I've heard nothing but good things about the surgeons and I know they've got this. I just have trouble letting go of control. 

I also don't really know what to expect and how I will feel after and that has me anxious. I'll have to ask more questions at my next appointment but in reality, everyone responds differently so they can't tell me for sure how I'll do or feel or recover after. 

I just need to keep reminding myself that it's all going to be okay and I can handle anything they can throw at me. I'll be ok and most importantly, the tumor will be gone. 😁