Surgery Day - Before the Fact

I've set this up to autopost (God BlessTypepad) at 9AM so you'll know the The Plan for Friday December 21 in the VA suburbs of DC:

• pull myself together
• grab clothes and "the specified bra (what a pain and I'll detail more later) for an overnight bag
• while trying to pop into twitter one last time
• peek at the frozenpeafund.com 
• eventually check into Sibley Memorial by 10AM.  - ish -
• Get prodded and poked and given a dose of glow in the dark juice so the docs can find lymph nodes
• Get radioactively "mapped"
• Go into surgery with Dr Flax at 2;30 to have tumor and breast removed and nodes dissected and sent to lab

1. If all is clear we're on to part 2
2. If positive nodes, out come the axial nodes as well & chemotherapy is in my future

• Dr Flax hands baton to Dr Chang who begins the first episode in the new and improved reconstruction
• I wake up and get the good news, happy family cheers, someone gives me food!
• Husband Bill lets @conniereece or @pistachio or _somebody_ know something when he gets a minute. Meanwhile daughter @badwolf may or may not tweet blow by blow. it might be too much, so don't be surprised if she doesn't.
• I go back to sleep and try to make it last all night, only to become aware of what's going on sometime Saturday.
• Pass the drugs.

Let's see if we can make this thing happen!

Comments

[Kyran]

found you via twitter. best wishes for a successful and uncomplicated surgery and a swift recovery. :-)

[Ontario Emperor]

I will be in an unimportant meeting at 11:30 am Pacific time, but you will be in my prayers.

[texantiff]

Good luck today and know that so many friends you didn't even know you had are thinking of you today! Love the peas all over twitter for you!

[anna]

You're in my prayers @susan, lot of love and hugs, your spirit inspires me, truly.

[Yogeek]

Will be praying for you mighty Susan! Truly sending you the light of the Solstice. What an auspicious day to have your surgery, the marking of the return of sunshine. So, from tomorrow on know, that the return of the light, the goodness, the energy, the strength of growth and renewal is with you and with all of us as we continue to support you and each other :)

[Ontario Emperor]

Just wanted to note that Frozen Pea Friday is now listed in upcoming.yahoo.com (see the http://upcoming.yahoo.com/event/392204/ URL), with links to http://frozenpeafund.com/ and other relevant places. You can also tag your flickr photos (we all have flickr photos, don't we?) to show up in the group.

[Mewie]

Hello Susan - you're featured off Typepad.com and instantly got immersed in your blogs. I will be praying for you and your family throughout the day.

During moments like these, I turn to Jeremiah 29:11...

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

I'm looking forward to reading your next post! God bless.

[David Wilkinson]

All the best, Susan! Our thoughts and prayers are with you this Christmas. Found you through Twitter and Shomoney. Stay positive!

[Rose]

Susan, you are so in my prayers. From one survivor to another, you WILL survive and life will return to normal. The key is to get cancer out of your life and out of your thoughts. I'm a nearly 13 year survivor.

My friend had your rare type of cancer. Her husband thought she wouldn't live and bought her a convertible. She is now on her second convertible and totally cancer free.
Hugs to you,
Rose

[Rose]

Susan, you are so in my prayers. From one survivor to another, you WILL survive and life will return to normal. The key is to get cancer out of your life and out of your thoughts. I'm a nearly 13 year survivor.

My friend had your rare type of cancer. Her husband thought she wouldn't live and bought her a convertible. She is now on her second convertible and totally cancer free.
Hugs to you,
Rose

[Old Horsetail Snake]

Marti sent me over to wish you good luck, God speed and all that. Happy days, and lots of them, dear heart.

[Marti]

Been following the updates on Twitter throughout the day, and sending positive vibes your way! Hugs and love sugar....(and thanks to Old Horsetail Snake for stopping in and offering his good wishes)

[Christine]

It has only been 5 weeks (today!) since my own major emergency surgery - a sudden, unplanned hysterectomy. (Not cancer, we now know - but still a very bad situation that had life threatening implications at one point.) It wasn't easy on me at times, just as I know this isn't easy on you at moments. I was lucky to have supporting friends ... and one of them, thanks to twitter, lead me with a link to you and the touching pea story.

Anyways - I just wanted to let you know that I'm cheering you on, I've joined the Flickr group for Pea Friday, and just over all -- I'm sending you many positive thoughts. I hope the surgery went as well as planned, and that you are now in the blissful state of pain med sleep, recovering happily surrounded by family and friends.

I'll be thinking of all of you and sending positive, healing, supportive thoughts your way.

[Nomar]

I wish you very good luck with the surgery!

My mother experienced the same 2 years ago!

I hope everything goes allright

[Cindy]

My thoughts and prayers are with you. Take care.

[Scott McArthur]

My thoughts and best wishes - lots of positive vibes coming at you from the UK. Sx

[thaumata]

Hi. Found you via twitter. I lost both my grandmothers to breast cancer, and my aunt was diagnosed, too, as well as my mom having some close calls in the last year. It's a hard thing to go through and I love that you have so many people backing you up here. Two years ago, I did the3day.org 60-mile walk for breast cancer, and raised almost $10k just by posting youtube videos. Don't ever let anyone you can't use the internet for awesome. I met so so so so so so so so many beautiful and amazing women on my walk. They all had stories, either of family or friends or themselves. Lots of amazing survivors out there with us. The most important thing to remember is that each day is a new day, and that all you need to worry about is today. Be brave and remember that we love you, even if we've never met.

Best wishes for a fast recovery,
thau

[Noah Simon]

You don't know me. I'm not going to pretend I read all of your blog. I'm way to squeemish... I truly get upset by this. I don't even like slasher movies. I'm sorry. But I do want to tell you I am very sorry you had to go through it. I read a blog post by Chris Brogan... and it bothered me enough to click. I understand that it is an important issue and all... and as Clinton says... "I feel your pain"... I know that sounds insincere... the idea of serious surgery and cancer is enough to make me not be able to express myself appropriately. I sincerely hope you get better so that someday you can laugh at how pathetic this comment is. But since I don't know how better to express my sorrow that a person is hurting I am going to press "Post" and hope that I don't hurt your feelings with my candor.

[sweetsalty kate]

Good luck, Susan - sent to you by WhyMommy. It sounds like you've got a lot of verve and determination - I know it must not feel that way every day, but it's a part of you, and it stays with you through this.

Wishing strength for you,
xo

[pearl]

hope you are doing well after the surgery Susan... you are in my prayers! wishing you speedy recovery...

Pearl