| The news they returned with was disappointing. It turned out that I was scheduled to be Dr. M�nard's third patient of the day, not his second. I was slightly bewildered until the nurse came into the room to explain the agenda for the day. She said the reason why Janet was going to go second was because I was going to have a rhinoplasty along with the SRS. The nose job meant my surgery would be delayed until about noon. I know it didn't bother Janet to go first, but I was discouraged with the schedule change. The wait was not to my or my sisters liking. They decided to head back to the B & B for breakfast and to get in some running. Even though I was thirsty and hungry, breakfast was the last thing on my mind. I had hoped I would be done with the waiting. All of us wished Janet good luck as they ushered her out of the room. After my sisters departed I was left to myself and a glass of cranberry juice they agreed I could have. No Second Thoughts I spent the rest of the morning by myself listening to CD's and dozing in and out of the anguish of having to wait yet a little more. At some point in time the anesthesiologist came in briefly to go over a few things. Other than that encounter I basically just laid there pondering the magnitude of what was about to happen. I was steadfast in my desire to have this surgery performed upon me. I had no doubts or fears about the procedure. Up to that point the only thing I was remotely hesitant about was my capacity to deal with the impending gore. I remember telling my therapist the blood might be the only thing I might have a difficult time with. When I was growing up my mother had hoped that I might decide to go to medical school. Yeah, right. I never liked the sight of blood, especially my own. I remember passing out once just from having some blood drawn from me for testing purposes. Just viewing the surgery photos on the internet of the SRS procedure was enough to make me queazy. Fortunately I would not have to see any of the gore from my own surgery. I could deal with it as long as it was out of sight. I also knew I wouldn't be in any hurry to see the results. I was listening to a CD when my sisters came back from the B & B. I was highly emotional. I felt grateful for the promise of a new body and a new life. Tears were streaming down my cheek as my youngest sister came over and stroked my hair. They knew I was not having any second thoughts, rather, they were beginning see the power of my conviction. Shortly after 11:00 am a nurse came into the room to let us know they were ready for me. She saw my tears and asked if there was a problem. My sisters proudly stated that I was okay and ready to go. I got up from the bed and headed to the bathroom to brush my teeth. Somehow I felt that was an important task before they wisked me away. I have to admit I was excited and yet everything was so tranquil. My only worry was that they might start without me! The nurse was waiting for me when I got back to the room. Back Next |