As the next few months went by I was pleasantly surprised by how, through medical test after medical test, and clearance after clearance, everything was going so smoothly and efficiently. I met a lot of really good people along the way. There was no waiting to make appointments to see any of the doctors; a week or two at the most. Everyone was pleasant and competent. It was a pleasure.
The one thing that worried me was being able to do my part after the surgery is over. I actually gained a few pounds throughout this process, and I worried how I would be able to do this. What's to stop me from just eating too often or too much. Not everyone is successful after surgery and it worried me. The surgery was no magic bullet; you need to change your eating habits and the quality of food you eat. There are changes that I needed to make and I wasn't sure I could do it.
By the fall, I couldn't wait for surgery. I was in more pain than ever and was having trouble walking. Knowing this was ahead of me I was getting more and more excited. By December the date was set; I was scheduled for Tuesday January 7th 2014. My day that will live in infamy. With the holidays coming, luckily time went fast. I had been to my final consultation with my surgeon and any final questions were answered.
As much as the ease of this journey was a testament to all those involved, it also proved to me that I was on the right path. There was no doubt in my mind; it all felt so right to me. My surgery date meant that I would have to start two weeks of only meal replacement shakes and clear liquids the day after Christmas. The reason for this is to shrink my liver so there is easier access to my stomach. Every surgeon has a different version of this, and mine was two weeks prior. It was fine and because the holidays were surrounding it, it went very fast. Come to think of it, as surgery got closer time went even quicker. It was coming.
On December 8th out of the blue my cat Kattie got very sick and by the end of the week I had to euthanize her. It was a very sad week for me, and I couldn't help but wonder about the timing of her death. Kattie was quite overweight and almost 14 years old. Perhaps this was one last sign of confirmation that I was doing the right thing. Could this be telling me that maybe she would have lived a little longer had she been a healthier weight? I'll never know the answer to that for sure, but this thought crossed through my mind. I miss you Kattie.
There was a very helpful, very long class that the hospital provides. It describes in detail every thing at every point what will happen to the patient. There would be no surprises, and I found this extremely helpful. I was to call the day before to find out what time to report to the hospital. Mine was 5:45 AM. I wrapped up loose ends at work the day before and got minimal sleep. I was getting up at 4:00 AM and my surgery was scheduled for 8:00 AM. The weather called for 95% of the entire country to have temperature's below freezing. It was going to be a brutally cold day. As I waited for the taxi cab to pick me up at 5:00 AM, in my sleepy state, I thought of my parents. I felt a little weird about the fact that this body that they made 48 years ago was going to be drastically altered, for life. I know how much they cared about me and would want me to be healthy. I wished they could be with me that day.
Prep for surgery went very smoothly. A very sweet, friendly nurse got me ready and before I knew it, I was being taken in to the holding area. After a short wait, my surgeon arrived and came over to me to see how I was. I mentioned something about the drastic cold outside and then something wonderful happened. He used a saying my Mom always used, all my life growing up and in that moment I knew she was with me. It was a great feeling, because in one way or another my parents always let me know they are close by. She caught me right before they wheeled me into the operating room, further showing me that I had made the right decision.
In the operating room there were several people feverishly prepping the room. Time seemed to race by. My last conversation was with the anesthesiologist he asked me where I worked and we talked for a moment about pets. I mentioned Kattie. Everyone in the room took a time out and confirmed my name and date of birth and with Kattie on my lips it was lights out for me.
No comments:
Post a Comment