Fighting Breast Cancer: Breast Cancer Surgery! The Countdown Begins!

My breast cancer surgery is on November 10th.
Since today is the 7th, that means there are 3 days left.

So, I went to hear the surgeon's explanation of the procedure.

Looking at the MRI images, they explained, 'This part is like this, so we will cut here.'

Me: 'Oh, so you're not cutting everything out completely?'

Doctor: 'If we cut everything out, we wouldn't be able to reconnect it, haha.'

Yep, I got laughed at, haha.

Doctor: 'It won't be that painful after the surgery. I'll prescribe painkillers, but if it doesn't hurt, you don't have to take them.'

So it won't be painful. Well, I'm sure some people do feel pain, but the fact that painkillers work means I probably don't need to worry too much.

Doctor: 'Please move your body normally after the surgery. Once you're discharged, it'll be fine as long as you move around in your daily life. If you don't move because you're scared, it will just stiffen up.'

I see.

And so, there were various explanations.

Doctor: 'Do you have a general idea of how it works?'

As expected! It seems they know that even if a patient listens intently, they only retain a vague understanding.

Me: 'Yes, a general idea. But I think I'll forget it right away, haha.'

Doctor: 'Hahaha, it's okay! If you don't understand something, just ask me again, haha.'

We had a good laugh, haha. I guess it's rare to have a patient who is so honest.

Doctor: 'It won't be life-threatening. Breast cancer surgery is an operation on the outside of the body, after all.'

That's true! It's not inside the abdomen, is it, haha.

Doctor: 'Are you okay with the removal of both breasts?'

Me: "About that, I heard that if I have both removed, my hormone balance will be disrupted and
my fingers will curl up."

I heard it from someone who had the experience, so I was quite worried.
When I asked the doctor about it, he burst out laughing.

Doctor: "No way, no way. That's not going to happen. No, really, it won't.
Hormones aren't produced by the breasts, you know, lol."

Ah, I thought so, lol.

Doctor: "If we can't remove it all, we will have to suggest radiation therapy."

Me: "Um, radiation therapy makes you go bald, right?"

Doctor: "Huh?"

Me: "I heard it's really tough."

Doctor: "From radiation? No way, no way. No way, no way, no way, no way.
Isn't that chemotherapy?"

Me: "Ah, that's it!"

Doctor: "Radiation won't make you go bald, lol.
However, you will have to come to the hospital every day,
so that part will be tough."

I see.
If I won't go bald, that's fine, lol.

So, at that time, I was bombarded with explanations that I listened to carefully.

But, as I write this now,
yes, I've forgotten them, lol.

No matter how much it's explained to me, that's just impossible.

Doctor: "Tomorrow, there will be an explanation from the anesthesiology department."

Me: "Oh, is there any chance I'll wake up during the surgery with anesthesia?"

Doctor: "It's almost non-existent. Rarely, very rarely, and I mean extremely rarely, it can happen. But the anesthesiologist will administer the anesthesia properly, so you'll be fine."

Me: "Right. It'll hurt when I wake up, won't it? lol"

We burst into laughter again here.

Me: "Will I wake up immediately after the surgery is finished?"

Doctor: "You will, immediately."

Is that how it works?
Animals don't wake up immediately after surgery, do they?

Me: "I heard the surgery would take 5 to 6 hours."

Doctor: "Eh, does it really take that long? No, it won't take that long lol. It'll be finished by 2:30 PM lol."

Surgery starting at 9:30 AM and ending at 2:30 PM
In other words, isn't that 5 hours after all?
Thank you for your hard work, Doctor.

In the end, this explanation also ended with us laughing.

I think to myself, 'Stop laughing and pay attention!' but I guess this is just my personality lol.

*I also write short stories.