Parting shots...

[dwfreck]

Countdowns? How about this one: 55 minutes until I walk in the door of the same-day-surgery waiting room, 175 minutes until liftoff!

Am I worried? No, I'm wondering what kind of pants to wear! The pre-op instructions say "comfortable clothes," which almost rules out jeans. I'm leaning toward sweat pants, but I'd like some with pockets. I know, of course, that I won't be wearing them in a few hours, and probably won't put them on again until my discharge, but, hey, I've got to keep my mind occupied with something!

Was I worried yesterday? No, I got a call about 11:00 am from daycare, then one from grade school about an hour later, informing me that both my children were running fevers! Since my wife was in training all day, I had to call my mother to go get the kids, take them to the doctor, then babysit them the rest of the day. My daughter has an ear infection and my son has strep throat! Worried about surgery? Who's got time for that?

Now if I could just figure out the pants, I'd be all set...

Finally, thank you, Thank You, THANK YOU. You've all been a huge help getting me ready for this. I'm actually excited about the whole thing because I know how much better I'm going to start feeling in just a short time.

See you all on the other side. I'm taking my Handspring Visor so I can write down the license plate (and play solitaire)...

 

[Gemma]

I thought I was seeing things when I saw you were signed in!! Was expecting you'd already be in the hospital!!
About the trousers - if you're comfortable in jeans, wear jeans!! I know some particularly dapper gentlemen who always go out in suit and tie, so compared to that, jeans would be comfortable!! Just don't put on anything you wouldn't want to be bundled into a carrier bag by a fumbling nurse (this is what happened to Jim's stuff, which was lurking in a cupboard for a couple of days before he saw it again!).
Seriously though, good luck with everything - I'll be thinking of you and waiting anxiously along with everyone else here for a positive report from your wife later today or tomorrow.
(one thing for you to worry about - have you showed her how to post a message?)
Bye for now,
Gemma.

 

[Granbonny]

Hi Dale

Hi Dale

Have you had your sterile soap shower?Nothing to eat or drink since midnight? ..Put on some sweats and get going..You will have a gown on in an hour or so. and then into La La Land..See you soon..Bonnie

 

[hensylee]

Well, it's 7 o'clock here, so I bet you are goin under as we speak. You are in my prayers, Dale .......you won't see this but I wish you GODSPEED!

yep, no matter what, life goes right on, doesn't it? Hope the kids are better today.

 

[Christina L]

Dale,

Right this moment you are most likely in surgery. I am sending prayers and good thoughts your way, as are many on this board. So, when you are feeling better and reading these posts, you will know that many people were with you this morning.

God bless you with a successful surgery and very speedy recovery.

Christina L.

 

[Birky]

surgery

surgery

God bless you and Good Luck,

 

[Raverlaw]

Dale,

Well, we left-coasters always get the news late, it seems, so you're probably very near the end of surgery by now and will be back in the ICU soon!

Best wishes to you. I'll anxiously await news from your wife about how you're doing.

 

[JAMES W]

HAPPY LANDING

HAPPY LANDING

DALE,
I WAS LATE GETTING TO YOU....YOU ARE ALREADY IN LA-LA LAND....WISHING A SUCCESSFUL SURGERY AND EASY RECOVERY...SEE YOU ON THE OTHER SIDE MY FRIEND....

 

[Debrinha GT]

everything will be fine!

everything will be fine!

Hi Dale, I'm sure you'll make it and when you least expect, you'll be feeling brand new after all, that's the reason why we all want to have the operation, isn't it? Good luck and God bless you! Débora

 

[Johnny Stephens]

Go Get 'em, Dale!

Go Get 'em, Dale!

I've probably missed you, but....GOOD LUCK! You're VERY well prepared for this, and your postive approach will benefit you enormously.

If you miss the plate on the truck, don't sweat it. I have a new theory: It's a stolen truck and HAS NO PLATES.

 

[Bryan B]

Dale,

I hope you chose the sweatpants.

Can't wait to hear good news from your wife and welcome you to the other side.

 

[Kevin M]

Good Luck!

Good Luck!

Good luck, bub. You're going to do just fine.
Kev

 

[Marge]

I'd say sweats, but I know I'm too late, and you are out of surgery by now.

Anything with an elasticized waist that you can pull up or down easily is better than anything with a waist that has a zipper or buttons, let alone a belt, when you put on those pants to go home after your sternum has been cut open and wired back together again. The least hassle is the best.

Forget the license plate. We know now (from Bryan? or somebody who went up the mountain recently) that it is a TRAIN not a truck.

See ya very soon.

 

[Bryan B]

Marge,

My sister said it was a train, but whatever it was I never saw it coming.