Week 3 - Day 4

Since today is the day I will get my fourth and final tube out, I want to once again thank my medical team. (See "My Team:" at top of blog). My girls are going with us on this trip and are quite excited. They know we 'go to Boston', but they don't really know what that means, so on this trip they get to 'go to Boston'. They probably won't go in while the drain is pulled, but they will get to meet some of my wonderful team.

So today, let's see how I have changed. Well, when it comes to medical care, my experience has taught me to shop around. There is certainly nothing wrong with going local; however sometimes sacrificing the convenience of local for the expertise of a place like Boston (Beth Israel) is worth the trade off. I have learned to keep looking for what you want or need until you find it. Just because you have a consultation with someone and you like them does not mean you should stop there. Find out where they were trained and then have a consult with the person who trained them. Keep going until you feel comfortable. Don't settle. Again you will see photos of my medical team!! Dr. Tobias was prepared for the photoshoot this time!! And Maria straightened her hair for the event!!! We have an exceptionally long wait for the drain pull, but it was worth the wait and once again, Malika did a super job!! I felt a little twinge (not pain) on the opposite side of the where the drain was located and Maria said that it was the drain on the inside. That thing must have been a foot long on the inside!!! Soooooo glad they are gone!!

It's not like I have a crystal ball, but I am wondering what might have happened if I hadn't been at Beth Israel when I had the bad moments coming out of anesthesia and the whole day I was on morphine. I don't even want to think about it. I do worry about my next operation (Stage II) which is much shorter, but I know I have the best medical care in the world. They got me through the first operation and I am confident they can do it again.

So, yes, life is different. You can face life's challenges. You can be gutsy. You can choose your medical team. You can do it!!!

JieJie took lots of photos on Final Drain Pull Day. She is becoming a very good photographer. One picture I have been waiting to take is me with a chocolate frosted doughnut and a coffee coolata. The doughnut was delicious, but the coolate did not meet expectations. So, maybe I don't need caffeine after all.

We also got to enjoy a meal at Souper Salad. They had stopped serving beef potpies for the season, but the clam chowder was still good. It was very nice, so once again we got to enjoy a nice meal on the patio.  The last photo is of JieJie, our official photographer for the day!!!

'Twas the night before surgery.....

Well actually it is the night before the night before surgery. But it is my last night at home. A friend called who has walked this path before me and was exactly what I needed. She made me laugh. I have known her since I was 5 years old. She is wonderfully funny and is always able to put things in perspective. When she had breast cancer she didn't miss a beat. She was in treatment and back to work without anyone even knowing. What an amazing woman. I still have in the back of my mind that whole thing about feeling like I have been hit by a train. Well, my friend would just expect to stare that train down and have it stop in its tracks.

Another friend told me that I would be coming home to the same life, the same family, the same friends that I am leaving. That was also just what I needed to hear. There was a very strong part of me that felt like I was marching off to my death. Okay, so maybe I have obsessed a bit too much on all the risks of surgery. I would list them, but that would just be way too entertaining. Well, I do worry about losing a tooth..... but as long as they pull that tube straight out I should be okay.

Tubes....tubes down my throat, tubes to pee through, tubes to drain my wounds. Lots of tubes. Luckily I will be asleep when they insert these things. Oh, at least I think I will be asleep. The pulling out of the tubes, not so much. I will get to be a party to that and will let you know exactly what that is like.

I am ready!!

Ready to go....

The lists are made. The clothes are packed. The Marsupial is packed (only those who have had to wear one of these will understand). Throat lozenges are packed and ready (oh, I dread that tube). The computer is charged. Did I say the lists are made - oh, yeah. It might take all week for my beloved sister-in-law to read through the lists for each day. She's a good sport though.

Work is now officially shut down. Thanks Jen for the advice of "Shut it off. Shut it down.". I probably didn't do that soon enough, but now it is official. It has been very hard letting go of work. But now that's done.

Early Friday evening I spent time with my aunt at the racino. I thought one of us would win, but not this time. We have a date for when I get back. Winning is so much more fun than losing. Then all of us spent Friday evening with friends (playing Qwirkle) which was a great diversion from everything that is going on right now. Plus they gave us enough food to last until we leave.

This morning was hard. It is the last official day at home with my original body and all it's parts. Still seems pretty surreal that parts of me will be gone this time on Monday. In two days!!! When I think that way the fear creeps in. Well it doesn't really creep, it floods the gates. The tears are pretty close to the surface, too. Some friends have given me some very thoughtful gifts and I am so overwhelmed by their thoughtfulness that the tears just start streaming down my cheeks. I am simply amazed by my friends and my family. I couldn't ask for a better circle of people around me.

Tomorrow we will head to church for Palm Sunday and to listen to JieJie sing in the Children's Choir. I can't think of a better send-off than to listen to the voices of angels as we head off to Boston.

So little time.....

It's hard to imagine how upset I was when my surgery got rescheduled from March 15th to the 29th. Right now I am soooooo appreciative that I am feeling great and being productive. I never could have done all the things that need to get done. Here's just a sampling:

1. Girls need Easter dresses and shoes

2. Easter Baskets need to be put together

3. Make little gifts bags for JieJie and MeiMei each day that we are away (thanks Brenda!)

4. Make reminder lists for Auntie D of homework, school projects, swim lessons, tennis lessons, choir practice, Brownies, etc.

5. Contact PS's office to make sure I can take a sleep aid the night before surgery.

6. Clean my house and make something for my once in a lifetime "Feed the Flap" party

7. Tie up loose ends for my business - not sure I will ever be able to do this

8. Organize the things I will need when I get home to make me very very comfortable (pillows!)

9. Teach DH how to blog!

10. Kiss, hug and hold my family really really tight!!!