Black Coffee

I received a special oversized envelope in the mail today, it was my pre-surgery information packet from Virginia Mason Hospital. It includes a schedule for me for my pre-op day next Thursday as well as some general information on how to prepare for the big day. I already knew I was allowed to eat breakfast next Thursday and then nothing until after my surgery on Friday. I knew liquids were allowed so I thought I'd be fine as long as I could drink coffee, my beloved beverage of choice all day long. Well it turns out I can drink coffee, but I can't have any cream in it - so I'm a little worried now. I'm not a black coffee type of gal. I also can't chew gum during this time, strange isn't it? But those are the rules and I've always been the type to follow the rules so I'll abide.

My pre-op day looks jammed packed. I first see the transplant nephrologist that I met with back in September, then I meet with my transplant social worker, then I meet with my transplant coordinator, then I meet with the transplant surgeon. This is a different surgeon than I met with in September, but I remember this is a surgeon that Anna met with earlier this summer and she had very good things to say about him. After all my morning meetings I go back to the lab for more testing. I'm starting to feel like a pin cushion. After my lab work, I get a short break for my "liquid lunch" -- that'll be fun, and then it is off to the Pre-op clinic for surgery registration and more information.

I need to give Anna a call tomorrow and find out what her schedule is like for pre-op day. I know she has her own meetings to attend and prepare for so we won't be able to do this side by side as we have done in the past. I know she also has to schedule her final dialysis session -- doesn't that sound great? FINAL DIALYSIS SESSION. I don't know if that will happen on Wednesday as is her regular schedule or if they will have her do it on Thursday. Regardless, with any luck she won't have to go back for a very very long time.