Scheduled my Surgery

Okay, so this morning, I decided that because of all my suddenly tight time-frame for surgery, that I would get a date, and then wait for insurance approval.

I'm supposed to be working at McCarter the last week of July. As per an early conversation with Grace and Mara though, I know I could also probably arrange to start the first week of August. I didn't want to schedule too early and not have approval. So, I called Sandra at Alvarado today and talked with her about it, she gave me a few options, and I did it.

I need to be at Alvarado in San Diego for my pre-op tests and physical on July 12th, with the surgery itself the very next day on July 13th. Dr. Alan Whitgrove will be my surgeon.

I have to get some lab tests done here in Anchorage 30-45 days before surgery. And must get them done and faxed to Alvarado before June 25th when I talk with a Dr. Hiser. Evidently he'll be the guy I talk to when I need to get monthly bloodtests done to check my iron levels and that sorta thing after the surgery.

I also have to swim more regularly to get my body into as good as shape as possible. Low-fat diet.

5 days before the surgery I am to eat 4oz of lean meat twice a day, and only clear liquids other than that to reduce the size of my liver as much as possible.

July the 12th, I'm to check in at Alvarado at 8:30am with a packed lunch of some jello and chicken broth. Wahoo! I say to myself, "this doesn't sound too bad." As I'm eating some leftover steak and brocoli from last night. Heh. The only thing that concerns me is jello. I don't eat aspartame, and I'd prefer not to have any sugar-laden Jello as I'm working on week 9 of no desserts and no candy. Hrmm. I'll figure something out.

After the surgery, I'll most likely be out of the hospital on July 15th. Allowed to leave San Diego on July 22nd.

But this is the point where I anticipate absolute insanity in my life as the last preps for moving to Princeton are the next couple weeks. Right now I'm thinking that I might just send some boxes of stuff ahead through the mail so that I don't have to carry them on the plane and strain or pull my stitches.

Now, all this hinges on one contingency; Insurance Approval. I have my last visit with my PCP Cathy on June 2nd. She dictates the letter and signs it by June 9th. I get it to Alvarado, they submit all my info to insurance once again. All hopefully before July so I can get a cheapish plane ticket, or take out a loan.

Whew. I'm terrified and nervous, and almost in shock with disbelief that it all will be happening so fast.