Ed in Az

Updates!

Progress and updates...

If you missed my progress from the past then please go to Boult's Countdown to catch up...

Ok, I know I haven't said anything about new ci surgery date till now. I just had pre-op yesterday morning at 9:15AM. My CI surgery date is this Friday May the 16th! a FULL MOON Day like the Bionic Ear Calendar says so! :)

Anyway, Yesterday morning, I showed up at UMC(University of Arizona Medical Center) Ambulatory Surgery to report in for pre-op, I was few minutes late... (well I can't make bus go faster eh..) filled out forms you know what it is like! then was called in by a lady regarding financial and was done with it. ( I was handed few forms like living will, power of attorney and brochures... gee living will eh. should I? )

I walked out of office to sit down to finish filling out the form for nurse who will check my temp/blood pressure such like that. as I sat down, like 2 min, she came out and told me to come with her. I was like "uh, I am not done" but I got up and went to other room to get checked out for blood pressure and temp. First time that they took temp by clipping my finger with hi-tech gadget instead of temp probe inserted into my mouth you know? Then the nurse, Ruth sat down for a breif Q and A sessions. After that, I was visited by Anesthesia guy who explains to me about anesthesia.

Then After that, I was told by a nurse that I have to go a lab office somewhere to have blood drawn. UMC doesn't do that. She also told me that I would have to stay overnight on the date of surgery. I though it would be only a outpatient thing but she showed me the paper where it says "23 hours observation" ahhh Observation, OK... now I have to tell my brother that is if he comes online today to let him know I have to stay overnight. Because, he got Friday off for me to take me to hospital and back home. I'll work something out about that. Obviously Dr. Green, my surgeon dr. wanted me to stay in for observation. I think that's because I would be his first patient with Clarion CII products. Since he has been implanting others with Cochlear Nucleus products.

Plus, I have instructions saying that Solid foods and milk products must be stopped at midnight the night before the surgery. Clear liquids must be stopped 6 hours before surgery. boy, I guess I will have a dry mouth eh!

I have to call them on Thursday afternoon between 2pm and 4pm for final instruction and to confirm my surgery time. I do not have the surgery time yet...

Then I went to lab at other location to have blood drawn and it was swift... Now my pre-op yesterday was done!

Now Today is wednesday and two more days to go! whoo!

I was at ASDB visiting friend of mine who works there.. to ask to borrow a digital camera for this friday photo opps. he will drop it off on Thursday. anyway while there, I had lunch there, they learned that I will have CI surgery this friday so they asked me sorts of questions and said they will watch my progress... So look for photos next week when I am up and about eh! I'll post "before" pictures taken at home tomorrow though..