I got confirmation from Jo Haley, the PA to the surgeon in England, that I am on the schedule for August 3rd. I got an email from one of the nurses with a form that I filled out and sent back and a request to get some MRSA tests that need to be done and the results faxed over 2 weeks before my surgery. Given that I don't have much time before I leave, I need to get these done ASAP. I emailed my surgeon here to get an order written for the tests and hopefully he responds quickly so I can get them done in time for the results to be ready.
I booked my flights today, 1 for my Mom and 1 for myself. Just my luck, overnight the fares for the weekend days jumped by about $2000 for my business class ticket alone. This means that my trip will be a few days longer than I was originally planning to get the better price (leaving July 29th and returning August 14th), but hopefully should provide an extra time cushion should anything go wrong like a delayed flight. I'll need the business class seat for the trip back because they lay flat. Sitting after the surgery can be quite painful for awhile so this was a must for the return trip. They were sold out of upgrades so I couldn't use my miles to upgrade a coach fare to business class, and it wasn't any cheaper to get business class on the return trip only so I had to buy a roundtrip business class ticket. A bit more expensive than I hoped, but nothing I could do about it. At least I will be able to lay flat on the way over there also.
Next on the list is to book some lodging. The cottages I was looking at are booked so it looks like it will be a hotel. I think I'm going to go with the Holiday Inn. It is about 2.2 miles away according to google maps and on the contact page of http://www.nickboeree.com/contact/ it says they offer special rates to patients of the Spine Clinic. I've also heard from others that have stayed there that it is pretty good and they are used to getting patients from the Spine Clinic. My mom isn't comfortable driving in the UK as it will be the first time out of the USA for her so hopefully the close proximity will cut down on cab fares back and forth.
My checklist keeps growing as I think of more and more things I need to get done before I go. I have to admit I had a few, "oh my god" moments today as this just got really real for me. I have been thinking about this for so long, hoping to get the ball rolling, and now the reality of it is starting to sink in that this is going to finally happen.
You're making great progress toward feeling normal again. Just remember the light at the end of the tunnel!
ReplyDeleteIt's a little overwhelming organizing everything when the time comes, eh? It will all fall into place and before you know it, you'll be in this wonderful little hospital in Eastleigh. I'm being discharged today and I'm feeling better than when I came in. My sitting tolerance is already better than pre-op! That's important for us computer guys.
ReplyDeleteI wish you luck Tim (and Joey Sue)... Mr. Boeree is great and his team out here is top shelf.
I've been explaining to them out here about their following of patients online, so make sure you say hi from me as well! ;)
Thanks Joey Sue and Brett.
ReplyDeleteYeah, I feel a little bit the more I check of my list each day. It is nice to finally make the decisions and then not have to analyze all the million options over and over(I'm a bit of an over-analyzer sometimes).
Brett, good to hear about your sitting tolerance! It is amazing how getting that disc off the nerve can make such a big difference. Be sure to take it easy and keep us updated, I've been checking your blog a couple times per day to see how you're doing.
Yes, I was the same way. It took me a very long time to make the call.
ReplyDeleteI'm following you along as well. There's not much else to do while you're "taking it easy"!
I've got a little routine setup - sit, walk, lie down. Lol. Pretty simple so far and I'm being very careful not to push it. Again, good luck and we'll be in touch for sure. banhorn at gmail.com if you need to email me ever.