Day of Pre-op

OK-so I went to my pre-op today. They took blood, did an EKG, met with the anesthesiologist, and a chest xray. And, I met with my surgeon, Dr. Murphy. I feel a lot better-he made it sound like a piece of cake. I get there at 5:30, surgery is at 7:30, but they put me to sleep and basically for about 5-7 hours I will be out-which is great for me. They will put a camera down my throat first to see exactly what they are dealing with. This is a TEE, transechocardiagram. I have had one before and believe me, I am VERY glad I will be asleep! I wasn't the first time. I will have a tube in each side of my groin-one for the heart/lung machine and one for some kind of balloon they put in my chest. Also-2 IVs in my neck. All of this sort of makes me want to faint, because I am kinda fainty like that, but thank goodness I will be asleep! Michael will have to change my bandaids later! I am so glad I picked up some Mederma today. ughhh...They will put about 5 stab wounds in my right side through my ribs, collapse my lung, and the robotic little arms as well as a camera go into my chest and basically sew up the two failed leaflets on the top of my valve that are damaged from another side of the operating room-like a video game. How cool is that?? Michael asked if he could watch. Unfortunately, he basically said no. Guess they don't want to risk any fainters in the OR. If for some reason there is a problem, they will crack open my chest and replace my valve with a mechanical one. I really don't want that, so I am really praying for no problems!! After about 5 hours, I will be in ICU with a tube in my throat which will be removed when I can breath on my own. ICU will be 24-72 hours-more on the 24 side hopefully! Then in the room for about 4-5 days he thinks-could be less could be more. I am trying to find my spiritual self in all of this. Most of all I pray for my babies through all of this. I have to wash myself the day before and the day of surgery with these iodine sponges that will turn my skin orange. I was showing Cole because I thought he would think it is cool that my skin would be died orange. Instead he said, "I don't want you to die Mama". We had to explain what "die" meant-like orange die. Hopefully, they will barely notice I am gone-I am sure with Daddy around so much-they will be totally preoccupied. They probably will not miss a beat, much less me but I am hating leaving them for so long-now if it were to go to the Bahamas-that would be a totally different story. Michael just pointed out that Dr. Murphy looks just like Michael on The Office only with longer hair....he does! I hope he is not as goofy-or maybe I do-then it will be more fun and my blog will be more interesting! Until next time...