It was the night before surgery...

We got to the hospital at 9, but the pulmonary function test didn't actually start until 9:40 or so. They really only did one test, so we still made the 10 am appointment with the surgeon.

...Only, no surgeon. He was doing an emergency surgery, so we met with our nurse-practitioner case manager instead. She did a pretty good job of dealing with da questions:

We arrive at 6am, she's supposed to be in the operating room by 7:15, and the procedure will probably go 4 to 5 hours (although his posted average is 6.2 hours.)

Diana should be extubated before she even gets to recovery. If everything goes as planned, she'll go from recovery to a private/semi-private room -- no need for ICU. Pain management will be a epidural block and personal pump for the first couple days, then just the pump, the dilauded (sp?) as necessary. Colace and sennecide will be used to keep her regular (hey, you asked).

They do have internet access, and a pet visitation policy. We don't know yet if that includes the 100+ lb. variety, but the case manager pointed out that after 2 - 3 days, we could probably take Diana on field trips out of the hospital.

The anesthesiology workup was supposed to be at 1:30, but our case manager (that's gonna get unwieldy, so let's call her Joan) said they didn't used to have appointment times, so she still sent people at will. We got in there around noon -- I didn't go in, but Diana said it was mostly about the epidural. Out at 12:45, Diana headed out for a massage, and I went to work.

My parents got here shortly after that. Either today or tomorrow (depending on whether you listen to mom or dad) is the 14th anniversary of my dad's surgery -- don't know what that means, but it seems to me that if you have to be stressed and waiting, it might as well be on a nice spring day.

I'm babbling -- it's after midnight and we're getting up at 4:30 so Diana can take a second Hibaclens shower -- she's finally got her books in order, and she's starting the first one now. According to Joan, the U has a very small post-surgical infection rate, and there had been no serious issues in the five years she's been here. Still, I've showered, and we've changed the sheets and the towels.

We appreciate all of the prayers and thoughts of all of you, and I'll try to let you all know what's going on tomorrow.