Ok, so there’s a bit of a gap since my last story about surgery. My scariest part was the whole not finding a lot of information online from people who actually did the surgery. I did meet a guy at my doctor’s office who had the same surgery and he told me about some things, but at that point I wasn’t sure the name of my surgery so I was half listening.

I talked to a few nurse friends who pretty much said “why get surgery? why do you need it?” Of course, I did see many websites and even talked to the doctor who said if I don’t I have a high increase in heart attacks, strokes and arrhythmia. Since heart problems run in my family, we were all a little scared.

By my next appointment on Sept 21st, I was pretty sure I was doing it. I talked to Dr Orozco who seemed to mollified many of my concerns so we scheduled the surgery for Oct 5th in the morning. This was the first business day of my two weeks off so the timing was pretty perfect.

Then I needed pro-op authorization from my PCP. Routine, right? Not for me. The EKG was quickly abnormal, which resulted in three trips to the Cardiologist. The first was another EKG which was better, but he still wanted two stress tests. I was still not authorized as of Thursday afternoon when I was running on the tread mill in my work shoes with an IV pumping nuclear stuff into my arm.

I also was on the phone with Orozco’s nurse, who I sure wouldn’t want to work for me. After the Sept 21st appointment she said she would call to confirm insurance an call me. We even checked to make sure she had my mobile number. 10 days later I called her. She said everything was set but of course it wasn’t. I had to call insurance and get the rigamarole from them, but by last Friday I was cleared through insurance, cardiologist and the PCP. Here we go…

I don’t know anyone who wants to have surgery who isn’t have an emergency, but now that I am 12 hours away from surgery what do I say? I don’t know. I’ve been keeping myself pretty busy (denying it?). I remember to take out my contacts and not wear jewelry. I also packed a bag based on what the pre-admission lady told me Friday afternoon. Claire’s scheduled for day care in the morning and Donna’s off work for half a day to stay through PACU with me. I ain’t got much else until afterward. Here’s to life.