Pre-Op

Well, I guess it's time to cut me open.  Tomorrow afternoon I will go to National Jewish to do a Stress Test to make sure that my heart is strong enough to withstand surgery.  (This is not normal procedure, they saw an inconsistency in my EKG that led to this emergency testing)  It's hard for me to walk up stairs, but they think I'll be able to RUN!? 

Those few who know about the surgery have the same questions over and over?  "Are you nervous?"  "Are you scared?"  To be honest, the answer is no.  My mind is fine; it's my body that doesn't work.  I think that I have a great surgeon and an amazing support system that will help me recover.  I will spend the next 3 weeks recovering in Castle Rock with my Dad, Step-Mom, and Sister (Hilary). I imagine I'll have frequent visitors especially my (worried) Mother. 

The part of me that is scared isn't scared about the surgery.  I am sure that I will come out as good as I went in; and therein lies the problem.  This surgery won't fix anything.  I won't get better.  I won't stop seeing doctors every week or taking new drugs until they find something that curbs my symptoms.  The frustrating and scary part is that when all of this is over I'm "recovered" I will be back in the exact same position I am in today.  I can't breathe. 

I met with Dr. Amy Olson yesterday who will be my Interstitiary Lung Disease doctor for the duration of my disease (I think).  She seems very thorough and very on top of her game.  She asked a million questions and seems to want to attack this from every angle once the diagnosis is confirmed.  I will also be part of a research study.  Most Pulmonary Fibrosis is called Idiopathic (which means they don't know why it happens), but mine may be Familial (meaning it's genetic) and they want to find out the gene/cell/whatever that causes this so that maybe they can isolate and stop it.

For those interested my surgery will be Thursday (I won't know the time until Wednesday afternoon) and I will be in the hospital through probably Saturday/Sunday.  I will be at the CU Medical Center in the Anschutz Medical Campus.  After that I will be in Castle Rock; FB me for the address if you wanna come say hi.  Ashley will have my phone when I am in surgery so if she can she'll text anyone back who texts me.  I will post an update here and/or Facebook as soon as I can.

That's all for now.  See you all soon.  If you pray...throw one out for me.  If you don't...happy thoughts?