Surgery Wednesday!!

I posted this on the Centennial yahoo group but I would love any suggestions
that any of you may have.

Oh boy! My mind is spinning trying to get everything in order before
Wednesday.

I am a special education resource teacher so I have to make sure all
paperwork is up-to-date (the state monitors everything as of
tomorrow). I also have to get lesson plans ready for my sub for
Tuesday through Thursday. (My assistant and I teach 19 different
lessons daily to kids in 1st through 4th grades!)

Tomorrow will be my last day at school so we are having an early party
to celebrate Christmas. I have gotten the kids their gifts, wrapped
presents for my assistant, gotten goodies for the kids to munch on
while we make merry.

Then there is Christmas. I have tried to get everything bought,
wrapped, or put where "Santa" can find it on Christmas Eve. I have
told at least two of my family where everything is including receipts,
special Christmas Eve presents (always new pj's for the kids so the
pictures will look better), even where recipes for family favorites
are located. The house is clean (at least it is for us), the
decorations are up, and broth is made for when I get home.

I feel like I am "nesting" like I did right before I had each of my
kids. Maybe I am because when I get home there will be a totally
different way of life around the house.

Does everyone feel completely overwhelmed right before surgery? This
may sound a little morbid but I have this need to make sure everyone
is as prepared as possible for life in case something goes wrong with
my surgery.

I am very confident that having the surgery is the right choice for me
yet I am also anxious. I talked to our priest last week and came away
with a plan to try to take "baby steps" through this process but the
"BIG" picture of all that is about to happen keeps interrupting!

The sermon today at church was how this week in Advent is to remember
the joy of the season. Father Joe pointed out that joy in this
context is a sense of peace and contentment rather than "utter
happiness". I feel I am content and at peace with surgery and I feel
that I am as prepared as possible.

I know this is rambling but I needed to stop doing school stuff and
"talk" to you all who have been there and done that getting ready for
surgery.

Any suggestions on how to get through the next few days (and the time
period from when I get to the hospital until they knock me out!) will
be greatly appreciated!

Merry Christmas!

Cheryl V.

Well, since you asked...

BREATHE !!

I tell everyone the same thing.  Take a moment and breathe.  It sure sounds as if you have covered all the bases except taking that special moment for you.  I know your "special moment" will come on Wednesday, but take a moment this week just for you. 

BREATHE !!!

I'm sure you will do fine, and whatever you have left undone will be taken care of!  You are in my prayers for a safe surgery and a speedy recovery!

Now, as a side note...where do you teach?

Santa Scott

Santa Scott -

Thanks!  That is one thing that wasn't on my list.  It seems everytime I think I have covered all the bases a few new bases spring up!

I teach at Capshaw Elementary School in Cookeville.  I love what I do (this is my 31st year of doing it!)  We are a K-4 school with a little over 600 kids.  Its a new building (built in 2003) but one of the oldest schools in town.

Do you teach?  If so - where?

No, I don't teach, but I do work with behaviorally challenged children.  I am a Case Manager/Information Coordinator with the Regional Intervention Program in Nashville.  If you are not familiar with it, we are a positive behavior management program for families with children under 6 years of age.

I love my job very much.  In fact, I quit my job of 28 years as a meat cutter to do this full time!

I just came back to school, today, my surgery was 12/9.   I am also a Special Education (Behavior Management) teacher at Rickman Elementary.   So I understand totally about lesson plans, but thankfully the state monitors were here in October!  

In the words of Scott...  breathe!!    

Yes, I got completely overwhelmed, and did nesting both at school and at home, but the day before I was pretty calm. 

You picked a good week, just leave some Christmas videos and if all else fails, then the sub can plug in a video, it won't be the end of the world for the kids to miss a lesson or two.

Take care of yourself, and keep us informed!!   I will look forward to seeing you at the support group in Cookeville in January! 

HUGS
Amy

You've done your homework, you must have confidence in your WLS Team. Sit back and enjoy the ride. I personally have had a tougher time with the flu then with WLS. Good luck C'ya Bob

Try to relax.  Just follow Dr.'s orders and I'm sure you will do fine.

Cheryl,
    As I told you Wed. night I will be thinking & praying for you.
Please let us know how you are doing, when you feel up to it.

Susan O'

Cheryl,

  Wednesday will be here before we know it and you will do fine Hun....  

  I just wanted you to know that there are people out here that care.  We have seen you post, we live where you live, we understand and you mean a lot to us....  

  Even though my surgeon is Dr. Richards at Vanderbilt your surgeon Dr. Dyer at Centennial is the tops of the tops...  I have many friends that Dr. Dyer has seen their insides and they are much better folk now...  LOL....  BWAAAHHAAAA...  I said that to say you are in excellent hands and I can't wait for you to sit beside me on the losers bench....  Hugs to you....

Hey hon, sending you prayers and great wishes for a speedy recovery. I know things will go well for ya. Keep the faith sweetie, god will keep you in the palms of his hands.

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com'n your way Barb