Pre Op Positive

Yesterday I had my pre-op physical, where they (hopefully) deem me fit to withstand surgery.  We are now inside the one week mark. Yikes.

In an effort to distract myself and keep things positive, I have a full week of fun planned. Tomorrow, waxing. Because getting hair pulled out of your skin is an uplifting experience. Well, for the wax it is anyway. I'll hit the gym, meet my sister in law for coffee, rip out hair from well below the follicles in my eyebrows, then come home and do art with my kids.

Thursday's agenda: lunch with a friend, pick up kids, take one kid to therapy, then - it's party time! I planned a girls' night pre-op party because I thought it would be fun to socialize with 5-50 of my gal pals. Only about 15 may actually be there,  but I cast a wide net. Why not!

Two play dates scheduled for one son. At our house. with extra siblings. Because apparently I am a chaos junkie. 

I am taking it a step further, and I got a small index card size notebook, pink of course, that I decorated with blingy stuff. Old ice skat habits die hard. Or not at all.  I am asking everyone to write something positive in it for me. A favorite quote, a thought or words of wisdom or inane funny crap. It's all good. Just something to read later on. Perhaps under the influence of pain meds.

I also got a small bag that will hang on my crutches or walker. Blinged that too. Duh. If I am going to be unwieldy, I may as well have some pink, zebra and rhinestones along for the ride. 

So far all of the distraction and planning has been very effective. We'll see what happens next Tuesday. Like the quote says, "There are no atheists at 150 miles an hour". 

A Good Blood Not-Letting

Worry and nerves have begun to set in. I asked my doctor about the possibility that I might need a transfusion. Apparently he uses a technology called 'cell-saver' that is supposed to mitigate blood loss during surgery. I am hopeful. But nonetheless, I decided to go donate one unit of my own blood as a back up. If I need a transfusion, I'd like to have my own blood

I have never given blood before, but I figured it was like getting a blood test. Except they feed you after and give you a blanket. Yes? I arrived at the hospital and the desk person thanked me in advance for donating blood when I asked which way to the blood donation center. I chuckled because it's for me. Then felt a little selfish that I haven't ever donated.

Upon finding Annie the technician, I filled out paperwork and shivered at the cold room air, wishing I hadn't left my sweater in the car. But it was 85 degrees outside. Why would I have needed a sweater?Finally after all the paperwork and insurance card shuffling, Annie stuck the tip of my ring finger (OWIE!!) to check my hemoglobin level. And . . . Disappointment. The lowest they will consider to take blood is 12. My level? 10.5.

   

Ahh, so I am still anemic after all. I have been for as long as I can remember. I just didn't know it was still that low. That explains the fatigue and weakness. Annie wished me luck and told me to go eat a steak.