June 23, 2013 – Pre-Op

I go in for my exploratory laparoscopy tomorrow.  I am surrounded by doctors who know that this procedure is so routine and easy that there is nothing to worry about.  But since I am going to be the one giving up my control and laying naked and unconscious on a table while a very talent and smart man roams around in my abdomen; I have decided it is okay to be nervous.  Because although I too know it is a routine and easy procedure, I also have the unfortunate knowledge that crazy and unexpected things can happen during routine procedures.  So, I am nervous and trying very hard to just not worry about it.  Distraction is a wonderful thing!  My sweet doctor noticed my nerves during our pre-op appointment while we were going over the ‘here are all the horrible things that could happen’ consent.  He stopped in the middle to say, “You know, if the hospital blows up we will both probably die.”  It made me laugh and remember that there are so many things out of my control that there really isn’t much sense in me worrying about the what-ifs.  I love my doctor. 

Thankfully Doc will be able to be there for the procedure.  Despite the hospital’s best attempts to get him to work instead; he has informed them that he will not be working and will be staying with me.  We scheduled the surgery for one of Doc’s rare days off.  He had Monday and Tuesday off for this week and we decided that Monday would be best so he could spend an extra day with me post-op (we don’t know what news we will have to think over and discuss).  My doctor scheduled me on his non-surgical day to accommodate Doc’s schedule, which means he is literally running over from his office during his lunch hour to perform surgery for me.  Then last week Doc gets an email informing him the schedule for intern orientation (welcoming the new docs to residency) has been moved from Wednesday to Monday.  Well, this year’s intern class will just have to wait to be greeted by this year’s chief resident, because I called dib’s and I was here first!  I did let Doc know I was okay with him going to work before or after the surgery if he really needed to, but he just told them he needed to be home.  I am really glad he will be home with me, because I always feel better when he is around! 

I have spent this weekend preparing to be unavailable this week; cleaning and cooking and making sure all the bills are paid.  The nurse said post-op I will not be allowed to pick up anything over 10 pounds for a least a few days, possibly longer depending on what they find.  That means I had to give up my 2 days watching my dear friend’s baby this week L.  The baby that was born in February has become my sweet companion a couple of times a week while her parents work.  She is a joy to have, even on her worst days, and always brings a smile to my face.  So having to give up those days is a very sad thing for me.  But I am sure I will still see her this week as her mother and I rarely go very long without spending some time together.  We will be back to our regular schedule after this week.  J I am still not quite sure what I will do with myself having a few days “off” with orders to be chill and recover.  For a “stay at home” spouse I am rarely home and my schedule is rarely empty, so I may go a little nuts with even a few days of nothing.