Countdown to surgery

Wednesday, 10-9

One week from now I'll be heading into MUSC for a long-awaited gastric bypass surgery. I have so many questions and so few clues about what I'm facing. Everyone asks me if I'm excited. I was when I found out in September that my insurance was approving the procedure because initially I had been denied. But no, excited isn't the word I'd use.

I'm nervous, worried, overwhelmed, intimidated and maybe a little excited. Nervous because I don't know what to expect. How uncomfortable will I be. For how long. How will I handle the dramatic reduction in how much I eat and can eat? With every meal I enjoy now,  I can't help thinking it's among the last like it I'll ever consume.

I'm worried about how I'll handle the lifestyle change. I'm worried about my willingness and ability to attend all the recommended post-operative support sessions. I'm worried about my ability to develop and stick to a new nutritional routine.

I'm overwhelmed and intimidated by all of it, but what better forum to put it all out there? I know we'll be encouraged to keep a food journal, but this will be where I intend to keep a progress report of everything else. I have the support of my friends and family and am in email contact with cousin Allison and friend Lisa Enright, both of whom are glowing examples of how to succeed at this.

Thursday, 10-10

Yet again, I'm inspired to write by the inconveniently agonizing pain in my feet. The moderately annoying pain during my waking hours changes dramatically once I crawl under the sheets. So even though I'm exhausted at 3 a.m., I can't sleep.

I'm hoping one of the effects of the surgery will be a lessening of my peripheral neuropathy. I've read that it can have an impact, but by no means is it guaranteed.

At work tonight I learned I'll be adding the pagination of the Post and Courier's newly acquired (not the right phrase) small town weeklies. I guess we've always owned them, but now we'll be responsible for their production. Anyway, the good news is I'll be working 4-day workweeks -- Friday through Monday. Sounds miserable, but I like the three-day off thing. This won't start until after I come back from the surgery.

I've identified some projects I need to complete before next Wednesday because I won't be able to do them for awhile afterwards. Today I trimmed the out-of-control little trees that have taken over around my house - near the garage, near the air conditioner, near the porch. And I pruned the Confederate Jasmine which is threatening take over the tree next to the driveway. I left the remains at the foot of the driveway for the town of Hanahan to pick up Monday.

I still need to mow one more time, do laundry Tuesday, generally pick up in my house so Dad can feed Boomer the few nights I'm not home.

Here's hoping my feet start quieting down or that my need for sleep finally overcomes the neuropathy.

Saturday 10-12

Five days until surgery. Five days until my craving for something to eat when I get home from work after midnight will have to be ignored. I hope the cravings dwindle with my waistline.

 Two more days of work, then it's off until the 26th. I genuinely hope I'm feeling well enough to return that Saturday. Because if I'm not, that's a long time to go feeling miserable.

I think I'll ship off some letters to Lisa and Allison and ask for some advice.