Today is prep day. Liquid diet but avoiding dairy (what can I even eat? *sigh*). I'm going to have some oatmeal this morning, assuming the liquid diet is for 24 hours prior to surgery -- yay for 11am surgery times! After that, it's lots of water, some juice smoothies, broth and ice pops. It turns out the Otter pops I had as a kid are good for me! Whoo hoo!
I saw David and Howard last night, along with Dan's friend Devon. It wasn't the emotional mess I was expecting, but no question about it -- this experience has brought us closer together. I can't wait to visit Howard in his hospital room!
For my recovery, I am staying at our friends Anne-Caroline and Dick's house. She was so generous to offer her guest room. I know it's disappointing to my brother that we aren't staying with him, but my brother is going to be busy taking care of Howard and Howard may want the guest room on the main floor rather than the stairs. Dan and I will be very comfortable in AC's king-size bed, and it's very reassuring to be staying at Dick's, since he is a doctor at Piedmont.
I think the Piedmont transplant clinic staff were blown away by how connected we are here, considering that we live in Seattle. Dan is from Atlanta, and I lived here for so long that we both have very deep friendships and networks. It's a good place personally to have the surgery and start my way back to 100% health.
Our plan is to stay here for two weeks post-op, and then fly back to Seattle for two more weeks of recovery before I go back to work. I will be bored, but don't want to go back to work until I can give at least 80-90% of myself. I plan to walk as much as I can, which is the best thing I can do to take care of myself. Fortunately I don't blink at walking -- I'm the person who walks to/from vanpool (1.25 miles each way) and will walk to/from restaurants, grocery stores and any other errands I can. It's my normal form of exercise. And I have my secret weapon -- my friend Dana, who is recovering from foot surgery and also needs to walk. She walks even more than me and is good at pushing me (in a good way). I will be back before you know it.
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