Count down

Time is flying by. Last week I was a little over stimulated. I brain was running on high and I couldn't slow it down. It seemed like there was so much to do and I wasn't organized. Tuesday I had my pre op appointment with Dr W and the hospital. First, let me offer this advice. When you have your appointments, take your copies of your paperwork just in case. And, for my TriWest sisters, TriWest now requires your civilian doctor's office to have your PCP's name, phone number, fax number and address. I didn't have the fax number. So, I called Tricare and was informed that it wasn't their job to have such info. I called the doc's office and couldn't get a live person. I had to call back the next day with that info. I continue to really like Dr. Weber. He took as much time with us as we needed. Again, I went on information overload. So, I was glad that DH was with me so I was sure I didn't forget anything. If all goes well, I will probably be able to go home Friday. But, since I have four kids, he offered me an extra day in the hospital. That reminds me, Dr. Weber wasn't at all annoyed I showed up with all four kids. Lisa said he has four kids of his own. He was really nice to the kids and played with them some. This is completely opposite from what I am used to at military hospitals. Dr. W met my oldest son and said there was no problem with my son being the one to stay with me the first 24 hours. He said he was mature enough. My son went over the information with Dr. W. Everything went well. Before leaving the office, Lisa copied some paperwork for my to take with my to the hospital pre op appointment. I was a little late for the next appt. But, it didn't seem to be an issue. We corrected all of the misspellings on the paperwork and then I met with the hospital nurse. Everything was fine until she asked me who was going to be staying with me in the hospital. She said no way. It was against policy and Dr. Weber knew better than to tell me my son could stay with me. The person has to be over 18. Anyone under 18 has to be escorted while in the hospital. I was really pissed off because that leaves us in a bind with less than a wee****il surgery. The nurse told me something to the effect that Dr. Weber should be sorry for telling me it was ok but she shouldn't have to apologize for anything. What ever. That doesn't help me find a babysitter. The other problem was that my EKG didn't have my name or a date on it. And, they didn't send a copy of a doctor's impression down with it. I kept telling her that there was a doctor's impression up in Dr. Weber's office. But, she was determined to call McChord and talk to them. She kept telling me that professional to professional conversations went much smoother than professional to patient conversations. I was tempted to just let her try. But, I didn't want to screw myself. If I would have had my paperwork, I could have whipped it out. Instead, I faxed new copies the next day. I have been thinking in terms of meals instead of days until surgery. I don't eat breakfast. So, I have four meals to go. I have missed about a third of my meals this last week because I haven't been hungry. And, when I am, I am craving good foods instead of the junk that I definately won't be able to have after. Tomorrow I am going to have a nice big steak and a potato with mushrooms. Then my last meal will be Mexican food. Lots and lots of Mexican food. Sunday I go on a liquid diet. And, Monday is a clear liquid diet. Over all I am calm. Well, moody but calm. DH pissed me off today when he told me it wasn't like my life was ending on Tuesday. He is starting to act like this is no big deal. Well, that's my update. ~~Hat

Hat, It looks like you're coming to the end of the pre-op stage finally. Soon you'll be the looser you've always wanted to be. I was glad I didn't have to do the liquid diet before surgery, but I know others that did have to. This is such a great journey and I wish you well on a speedy recovery after the surgery. Calvin

Someone asked, I am sorry but I forgot who, what hospital I choose. My surgery is going to be at Ballard/Swidish Medical Hospital. I kind of liked this one more than the other. But, I let Dr. Weber pick.