Day ten

Dear Friends,
Met with the surgeon, Dr. Brayman, yesterday. He is very optimistic that a good outcome can be achieved. Got some idea of the pre-op prep: no solid food after Monday. Laxatives on Tuesday. No food after midnight on Wednesday. (going to lose some weight) Into the hospital at 6 am on Thursday. Molly's operation will start about an hour before mine. Each of our operations will last about four hours.

I did find out about some of my limitations after the surgery. I probably won't be able to have a pet ever again. Certainly, not a cat (litterbox), bird or fish (similar problem) or a reptile (bacteria). I will have to be careful when gardening and will have to dismantle the compost heap. Lots of hand washing, of course. Still have to be careful (masking up) in crowded indoor spaces, at least for the first six months. No sick people and limited contact with school-aged kids/germ factories.

I should introduce you to my nurse coordinator, Brigid Wonderly. Brigid is the person who is shepherding me through this whole process and she is fittingly named because she is wonderful. When we were just figuring out where I needed to be each day at this big hospital, she would meet us and escort us to the right place. She coordinates all of the pre-op appointments and is the go-to person for any questions I have. She interfaces with Dr. Lobo, the immunologist and Dr. Brayman. She visits often during my treatments. But perhaps just as importantly, she is calm and calming. 

So obviously, life-changing events prompt thoughts of life-changes. Yet, I think I am already quite content. I have great friends and family. I love my job. I have plenty of time to pursue my hobbies and interests. I don't know if there are a lot of things that I would change. On the other hand, I am inspired by Molly to do more for my community. There is a hunger problem in southwest Virginia that I think is deplorable. I try to do what I can, but I'm sure I can do more. I am intrigued by organizations that collect day-old food from restaurants and deliver it to food banks. I wonder if there is anything like that in the New River Valley.