Pre-op tests done.

[dwfreck]

Everyone,

I had my pre-admission tests this morning.

It's now officiall that I'm 5 ft 6 in tall and weigh 180 lbs (I think the nurse could have waited for the balance beam to stop shifting before declaring 180, but...), BP was 101/67 (MUCH lower that I expected 'cause my wife's out of town on business, so I've got the kids to myself...).

I got to play with my new best friend the "incentive spirometer", which, along with a video, some antibacterial soap and ointment and a huge stack of pre- and post-op instructions and what-to-expect guides, is now sitting in a giant "take home" bag in my car.

Now it's on to surgery, which is scheduled for 9:00 am on Friday. Well, actually, it's on to cooking dinner tonight, soccer practice tomorrow night, and an anointing service on Thurday night. I'm so distracted by the day-to-day temporary-single-parent routine, that I haven't had time to worry about the surgery (which is just as well, and, besides, I did most of my worrying in February, before my originally shceduled date).

I promise to post something at least once more before surgery.

 

[jenlynn72]

Good luck to you!!

Enjoy the next couple of days with your kids, be glad all that worrying is behind you. I will be praying for you!

 

[SJJ]

Dale,
It's good the waiting is almost behind you and since you're so busy going about the business of living, Friday will be here before you know it. Sounds like you made good use of your extra wait time and didn't get hung up with the postponement. There's an art to that ability and you seem to have a good handle on it. Can't wait to greet you on the other side!
Sue

 

[Raverlaw]

Good luck Dale- you're just about on your way!

By the way, that incentive spirometer may *look* like a piece of illegal drug paraphernalia, but it's actually useful!

I religiously sucked on that puppy starting the evening of surgery and was back at my pre-surgery levels within three weeks. Now I can do even better than I could before surgery, and I feel that it's been an important factor in my recovery.

Enjoy all the kid and family stuff this week - it will keep your mind from wandering and it will be a few weeks before you're capable of doing those things again - so have fun!

My prayers are with you for a successful surgery and a very speedy recovery!

 

[Rain]

The waiting is almost over! Yea!!

The waiting is almost over! Yea!!

By this time next week you and your handy spirometer will be best friends! lol It is a valuable tool... using it pays off. I still have mine here in my office... I even use it ever once in a while.

Dale, may I suggest LOTS of pillows. My daughter was only six years old when I had my surgery. I?d never left her before... but had to for the week I was in Denver having surgery. Needless to say.. she was a little freaked out by the whole thing and cried a lot while I was gone. When I got home she wanted to be on my lap ALL the time. We needed each other... I needed her hugs as much as she needed mine.... so she spent a lot of time on my lap. LOTS of pillows made it much more comfortable. And LOTS of pillows in your bed too.

Now I'm wondering where all those pillows went....... my boys must have taken them to college.

 

[Marge]

<< I'm so distracted by the day-to-day temporary-single-parent routine, that I haven't had time to worry about the surgery >>

Way to go, Dale!!!

Will be thinking of you on Friday.

 

[Christina L]

Dale,

God speed. Take it one step at a time and soon you will be five months out from surgery as I am now and will be incredulous of what you went through!

You are going to be just fine - you have a great attitude - that is half the battle!

Prayers will be with you on Friday.

Christina L.

 

[xtremlee]

Dale
One day closer for you is one day closer for me.
I wish you good luck and a God bless ya.
I may not hear from you again until after my surgery your on Friday and Im the next Thursday.

 

[Ross]

Somehow, I can understand your feelings. I don't care what anyone says, that spirometer will not be your friend next week! You need to use it, but you'll be anything but friends with it before it's all said and done.

I sent you a pm regarding contact information, look it over and see what you think.

Praying for you and hoping for a speedy and uneventful recovery.

 

[KathyH]

Dale,
Hope everything goes well for you on Friday. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers. In a few weeks we will be able to compare notes on our surgeries, as they will both be behind us.
Best Wishes!
Kathy H

 

[fyrfytr]

Hey Dale,
Before you know it you will be on the downhill side of that mountain and on the road to recovery.

It is good to see you are keeping yourself busy, that helps to keep your mind on other things.

I hope someone will keep us posted on how things are going with you.

Like Ross said, you will not like your new friend next week but you need to keep using it, that will help you a lot.

You will be in my thoughts and prayers.

Take Care and Best of Luck

 

[catwoman]

Dale:

Good luck. As we say in Texas, Vaya con Dios!

 

[NC-Cutie]

Good Luck Dale. All will be fine. This time next week you will be feeling better than you feel now. I will keep you in my prayers.

 

[Bryan B]

Dale,

You're gonna do fine buddy. Wait till you feel what it's like to have all your valves working the way they are supposed to (and the first time in my life no VSD squirting across my left ventricle. I think I was leaning towards the Ross anyway, but I remember your "mind boggling" speech on why you chose the Ross and how it comforted me to know someone else went through a very similar process and made the same choice. Well I'm sitting here 6 days post-op typing from my robe at home telling you I think we made a good decision buddy!

 

[RayinSF]

Good luck Dale!

 

[Rich]

Dale,
The very best to you.You will soon be starting your new lease on life.
Iv'e been there for almost eight years and I can tell you I have never felt better in my life.
Enjoy those kids, before you know it they will have kids of their own.

 

[labguides]

Dale,

Will be thinking of you on Friday! Please ask your wife to post a message, so we know how you are doing.

Take care -- enjoy those kids.

 

[Glenda]

Dale, good luck and God bless. I will look forward to your posting again real soon.

 

[Gemma]

Good luck Dale!
I think Brian is having his surgery done the same time as you (although maybe different because of time-zones, I'm not sure) - looking forward to those first post-op posts from you both and sending positive thoughts across the pond!
Gemma.

 

[EVELYN]

Hi Dale

You are in my prayers as of right now.....I know how afraid you were of those pretests---I'm waaay glad you're so busy with being a parent---you WILL be fine!!! I'm sure you'll have lots of people praying for your recovery.......

Go with God.

Evelyn