**photo by hired photographer of the Water Sports Park in Bali.
Writing what comes below might mean that I have too much time on my hands while I convalesce from a surgery to remove a benign tumor from my back (a lipoma). Physically my back is irritated—there is a spreading, uncomfortable rash there, but it is apparently not a sign of anything, despite my diligent Google searches (aka death notice searches) and my inquiries of the surgical residents who surprise-visit me at each follow up appointment I have made with my surgeon. If I were offering advice to these residents from a patient’s perspective, I’d say this: “You look like you are scared of being in the room with the patient. Please exude a bit more confidence and congeniality.” But they are new to the job, right? And their mentor is nowhere in sight. One of these poor souls didn’t have much to offer in terms of advice about the itching I described (note: I cannot see my back). I wish he had said while looking directly at my back “ah, I see a rash”; that’s what my husband said at home after my appointment. He might want to consider becoming a surgeon. The resident just said “itching is a sign of healing.” I could swear he had said “Good fences make good neighbors” since his stoic delivery was much the same as that of the neighbor in “The Mending Wall” by Robert Frost.
It’s funny; I thought the appointments I made with my surgeon for the visits were going to be with my surgeon. The last time I saw my surgeon was just before I saw the anesthesiologist on the day of the surgery, so I’m tempted to claim this has all been a dream, but the three-inch scar on my back states, “no.” The rash says, “looks like you’ll need some kind of cream for that.” I could Google what medicine to take, but since I do take other meds, I don’t want to experience counter reactions. And before I get a host of admonitions from my reader (the one reader), I know that logically I should call the office to talk to the nurse. But that means I’ll have to call the general number where I’ll get the front office person. And that’s means I’ll have to suffer through her exasperation with me (I’ve called before to book an appointment—it was like a “Who’s on First” skit). She has mastered the look and voice of “I don’t care about anything.” Yet, at the end of the first follow up visit, my husband did point out that she said goodbye to me when I was heading out the door. Is that enough of an overture to call her to have her eventually transfer me to the voicemail of the nurse? Nope. I’ll go with my CVS pharmacist. I pray he has not quit his job.
In reality, I am just a person who has gone in for a pretty normal procedure for a benign, yet “giant” tumor. After a lipoma is 3cm long, it’s called a “giant lipoma.” Mine was 10cmx5cmx3cm—so it might be technically a “ginormous lipoma”-- my Google searches have not yielded a confirmation yet. The permanent dent and scar on my back will be my only evidence going forward. When the first resident I met said that I could consider reconstruction surgery in a couple of years if the dent remained, I smirked to myself, “ah, youth.” I actually have another lipoma in my leg (I suspect of the giant kind too). Before I left my second follow up with the second resident, he said, “and if you ever want to have the lipoma removed from your leg, you know where to find us!” I have decided that even if I lose weight and the lipoma becomes a huge visible lump (it’s hidden in the comfortable fold of my thigh fat), I’ll let it be. I think I’ll save that money and go to a nude beach in Europe instead. In fact, I have a plane ticket already booked.
Note: Although I appear to be in complaining mode, rest assured, the surgery was a successful one and I am grateful it all went well. The incision is healing, just itchy along my entire back. The doctor was skillful. The residents will learn and grow. I’m going to hold out hope that the front office person was just having a series of bad days when I called or arrived. Funny that the only person I felt a connection with as I review this experience was the anesthesiologist. Go figure.
Hotdog. Nice to hear everything is nearly okay. The itching will soon go I am sure, ( that's from Dr Mark lol).
Looks like you are having more fun on your jet ski though.
Impressive closeup, Daryl. And I did read your whole entry! Too much time on MY hands?? What you relate is such a universal experience now...and you captured it in a way that made me think "me too." Interesting to connect to the anesthesiologist! As my brother always said -- they are the most important as they are the ones who wake you back up!
Like Taffy, I also read your narrative and found the story quite relatable. After several phone experiences with my doctor's staff, I've learned it is easier to drive to the office than to get any answers via a call. You do sound like you are on the mend. Great news and keep getting better!
Yes I read your whole narrative too and had to keep agreeing with everything you said. My sister's experience with cancer this year with follow up appointments with the surgeon who is never there seems to be the same as you have had. I hope you get your rash sorted Daryl - it's the little things that can really annoy you!! The pharmacist is probably your best bet - normally more helpful than the doctor!! Hope you make a very quick recovery from all this!! Love the photo - full of action!!
Yup...I agree, best to avoid any medical interventions that one can...though I bet you are glad to have the gigantesorus removed. May the residents and the office staff find their way to compassionate care. Hooray for the anesthesiologist!
In the first place there was more than one person that read this obviously! In the second place I read it all but my iPad tried to turn off it took me so long to read it! But hotdog. Terrific action shot!
Anesthesiologists seem to have really good bedside manner for some reason. When I had a c-section, mine stopped by the room to check on me a day later! Surgeons, on the other hand, seem to lack personality. Hoping all gets well very soon.
@maggiemae I am the subject. Part of my water sport "package" included a disk of shots taken by a photographer. I'll post a photo of him if I can find it. We had fun talking cameras but the photographer doesn't own the gear. It's a pretty unfair situation -- these guys have very little money to buy expensive equipment so they get a small hourly wage.
October 26th, 2015
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Looks like you are having more fun on your jet ski though.