The day before tomorrow

Things are going apace.  I just found out that I'm supposed to report in at 5:30 (that's "o-dark thirty" in the AYEM) for my surgery.  I sure hope that means I'm first on the agenda.  I have been getting some odds and ends taken care of just in case I'm not feeling up to it after I get home on Saturday--laundry, gathering some last bits of info needed to complete our taxes, and making a few phone calls re my Dad's estate.

Reading a bit more on the Internet and talking to the anesthesiologist yesterday during my pre-op appointment has me just a bit more apprehensive about it.  There's a fair chance that, because of the degree to which the herniated disc is pressing on the spinal cord, I'll have to have the breathing tube inserted while I'm conscious rather than after I'm blithely unaware so as not to further aggravate the spinal cord.  Definitely not my choice--I've got a very healthy gag reflex and hate anything in the back of my throat.  I'm trying to let that worry go, though, I've had three babies sans anesthesia, for goodness sakes, surely I can get through this.  Right??

My Ubangi Appliance

The good news from yesterday was that I may not have to wear my Ubangi Appliance (my brother's wonderfully descriptive term for my neck brace) for a couple months after the surgery.  While it's normally worn to keep things in place so that the bones can fuse, my doctor is inserting a metal plate to hold things together while the bones fuse and that technique sometimes means that the neck brace is not necessary.  I'm looking for small mercies!  We'll see.

I started to realize how much I was concerned about that (the breathing tube) when I was doing a bit of grocery shopping on my way home.  I sailed right through the produce section and found myself browsing the shelves where the cake mixes were.  I realized I was looking for a Boston Creme Pie mix.  I don't know if they even make that anymore.  It's something my mother used to make when I was in my teens.  Talk about seeking comfort food.  They didn't have it, BTW, and I came home with another box of my WW Strawberry Smoothie frozen treats, instead.

I'm definitely packing my kindle to keep my company while I recuperate in the hospital tomorrow.  This is one time the light weight and compactness will really come in handy.  I bought the leather case with the light for mine and can read in the dark, too.


Thank you all for your good wishes and prayers.  I hope to check back in with you after I get home.

Love & hugs

Tish