Day 17-19
The tissue biopsy went very well. At 10am I took my wife into the outpatient surgery center for her tissue biopsy. We spent an hour waiting for the doctors and the OR to clear up. The doctor ended up taking out a whole lymph node. He told us that the node was the size of the walnut. I hope it comes back from the pathologist as classic Hodgkin’s.
The fun did not start until after the surgery though. Jackie is definitely a brave a girl. She told the anesthesiologist to give her only local anesthesia. The doctor had to bargain with her and they ended up with a mild sedation. Anyways, she was the only patient that day that came out of surgery with a large smile on her face. I took her out to lunch and everything was fine. She had a nice grilled salmon surgery which is full of protein. She started to become very quiet at the end of lunch and insisted on going home. At home she complained her neck hurting when she talked. She needed to sit up straight and place lots of support behind her. I figured the local anesthesia was running out and probably normal side effects to have. An hour later her neck started swelling up. She couldn’t move her neck. It seemed very painful. I noticed every single breather she took a tear fell from pain. I gave her a Tylenol and she ended up falling asleep. When she awoke, her neck was significantly elephantly swollen. That night she ate a little and I told her to take some Nyquil to sleep.
The following day her neck was just as swollen. Jackie spent the whole day in a slightly cocked right, supine neck position. I made her stay at home the whole day and sit. Knowing how she has a very busy personality, I had to keep her busy. We did puzzles, games, and watched movies.
The third day is when I’m finally seeing improvement. She is able to move her neck more. She is able to move around and do very simple chores. Her neck has significantly reduced in swelling. I so hope all the swelling disappear. She is definitely a strong girl and heals well. I wonder how I would have been. They say guys actually handle sickness worse than women. When guys are sick they act as babies towards their wives. Women fight their sickness by telling themselves they have to get better to perform their responsibilities. How ironic that the strong male is the largest baby out of a relationship.

Day 19
I got a 7500 dollar bill today. I opened it up and then stuffed it back in. The medical billing market is ridiculous. How can they give you a bill like that and ask very politely to pay. At least they give you the convenience of paying online.
Jackie is doing very well. She actually went to a full day of work today. She said there were no problems with her neck. I can see swelling but it’s getting smaller and smaller. I think she heals very fast and I it gives me hope. She is finally going to wash her hair today after 4 days. I think this is the most excitement she has been having the last three days. Finally I can sleep in the same bed as her tonight. Just kidding! She smells good all the time.