Pre-Op Schedule

We were caught a little off-guard Monday.

It's amazing how the process seems to move slowly, then suddenly it kicks into high gear.  As of 11:30 Monday morning, there was nothing new to report.  Then all of a sudden, by 11:45 a.m., we have 5 pre-op consultations scheduled.  The first one scheduled for 11:00 a.m. Tuesday.  We didn't catch it until we arrived home after work and heard the voicemail.  Time to Scramble.

The Appointments:

• Speech Appraisal Consult -- There is a lot of rehab that Jennifer will have to go through, so this is an important first step for establishing a baseline and expectations.  I wonder if the consulting doctor will teach me how to roll my R's.  I've always wanted to do that.  Catherine can, and it makes me jealous. I know...I'm not the patient -- maybe I can get Jennifer to ask.

• Reconstructive Surgery Consult -- As fortunate as we are that Jennifer doesn't appear to need Radiation or Chemo, she'll still have to go through the surgical phase, which will involve some reconstruction of the tongue, skin grafts on the tongue and neck, and rehab.  Maybe if she sweet-talks the plastic surgeons enough, they'll through in a cosmetic bonus of her choosing.  Please see my special anniversary message under the Surgery heading below.

• Surgical Consult --  We will meet with the surgeon for the second time to cover the procedure and aftermath.  Yes...I chose the word "aftermath."  Hopefully we'll have our questions lined up to ask again.  It never fails.  No matter how prepared you are, you still miss or misinterpret some of the important items as we did during the first consult.  I assume this is also the time Jennifer will get to become a night light as part of the clinical trial.

• Anesthesia Consult (Check-in & Consult) -- Anybody who has had anesthesia due to surgery, childbirth, recreational use (just kidding), know that you have to talk with the anesthesiologist about complications.  He will ask you to sign the waiver indicating you will not sue them if you don't wake up.  Sounds like Darwinism to me.  We've done it 4 times with kids -- still a hard document to sign.

• Surgery is scheduled for May 31st.  ====>   C-DAY -- Cut it out.  I have half-a-mind (no comment from the peanut gallery) to ask the doc to put the cancerous tissue in a vial and give it to me.  I have no idea why...just a thought.  I doubt he'd turn it over because it can be used for research purposes and it needs to be if it will help someone down the road. 
• ***Special Anniversary Message***  Happy 15th Anniversary Honey.  I ordered that "Plastic Surgery" you always wanted....Oh.  Not for the tongue?  Dang it.  Got it wrong again.

Special Thanks and Appreciation go out to:

• The Academy and all the little people who voted for me.  Whoops.  Wrong Venue.
• Everyone who is keeping us in their prayers.  I'll say it again.  Prayer is powerful and we appreciate it.  There are others worse off than us, please pray for them too.
• Grandma and Grandpa Koch -- for helping us out with our last minute requests to help with the kids -- Two of our appointments fell on the same day as Grace and Ben's Field Days.  Sorry we missed them this year, but Grandma and Grandpa filled in.
• The rest of the family (immediate and extended) -- on my side, you're too far away physically, but we have comfort knowing you're thinking of us.  We're thinking of you too.  Same for Jennifer's Family.  Aunt Dorothy sent a beautiful Rosary from Lourdes.  Thank you.
• Our Co-Workers and Employers -- Thanks for accommodating us during these recent days and last minute surprises.  We hope to get back into the groove shortly.
• Our Friends -- You're doing what good friends do.  Thank you.
• MD Anderson -- So far, so good.  They have been very professional all the way, with an overall good experience.  ssshhh.  This is the only texas university related entity that I knowingly and willingly support.  I hope A&M acquires them in the future.  ;-)

Most Importantly

• Our Kids -- This is a busy time of year with end of school, swim team, gym, field days, etc.  We're trying to make it work and it looks like we're going to get it done.  Thank you for understanding in the midst of the unknown.  Now, PICK UP YOUR ROOM!!!!  THIS PLACE IS A PIGSTY!!!!!  HELP US OUT!!!!!  Grandparents, feel free to use this.
• Jennifer -- You're going through a lot right now, but handling it beautifully.  So Strong.

Wish us luck.

My usual disclaimers apply.