The Countdown Begins

Four days to go. Everything is set for surgery on Friday, March 17. The two main doctors operating on me will be a week back from vacation, which means they should be well rested and ready for the challenge of my abdomen. It’s always a surprise to anyone who operates on me to see what is going on once they open me up. We’re hoping there will be no “surprises” this time and they docs will see exactly what they are expecting.

Wednesday is pre-test day and I’ll be spending most of the day at Beth Israel. I have several appointments and lots of paperwork to fill out before Pat and I meet with both Dr. Hanto and Dr. DeWolf, the urologist. We’ll go over some final decisions with Dr. Hanto and make sure that Dr. DeWolfe is on the same page as us as well. We need to arrange for a private room for recovery as it’s not fair to anyone else to try to share a bathroom with me. I would really be uncomfortable in a semi-private room, especially since my bowels are not being operated on and therefore will be working as usual meaning at least 8-10 trips a day to the bathroom. Pat can vouch for me – when I have to go, there better not be anything in my way and a bed pan just isn’t even an option.

We need to make the final decision about pain regulation – right now we are leaning towards epidural, which worked great after my last surgery until I knocked it out on day 3. However, I do like the control of a PCA pump and being able to take pain meds when I need them and not have them continually coursing through my body. We’ll see what the anesthesiologist recommends. Also I want to be certain that Dr. Hanto removes my old incision and doesn’t just cut next to it, because the more scar tissue he can remove, the better. Lastly, we assume the tumors will be sent to a tumor board after their removal, but I want to be sure that Dr. Lange is on that board and that the recommendations from it will be forwarded to Dr. Nauta at Mt. Auburn. I’ll do my immediate follow up at Beth Israel, but then my daily care will switch back to Mt. Auburn.

Pat will be posting the rules and regulations of the Beth Israel Transplant center after I am assigned a room, but as a warning I do know they are very strict with visiting hours (11am to 8pm) and gifts (no flowers or outside food). However my hospital recovery should be short and I hope to be home in less than a week. Then visitors, flowers, and food are all welcome at any time!!

I’ve spent the last week getting myself mentally prepared for the surgery as well as getting the house and my wardrobe ready for my at-home recovery. Lots of spring cleaning, some new comfy lounging pants (ones that fit and don’t fall right off like the ones left over from my last recovery), and lots of comfort foods. We’re about ready and the rest of the week looks to be busy as well and Friday morning (I have to be there at 6am, though the surgery is set for 7:30am) will be here before I know it. At least I have some fun to look forward to between now and then…two more days to the Pogues….

I may have time for an update after Wednesday’s meetings. If not, Pat will be updating the site on a daily basis beginning on Friday. Most likely the updates will be posted in the evenings, depending on the availability of wireless access at Beth Israel.

Thanks again to everyone for your love and support.