Countdown to Surgery

The big and powerful 737 was running  East  when the pilot banked it and turned sharply amidst turbulence over the Atlantic.  Turbulence that was strong enough to bounce us around as we made the turn, making me feel uneasy.  Carolyn reached for my hand and squeezed gently signaling that if this be the end I am with you and then closed her eyes and communicated she was ready to a much higher authority.  Once the maneuver was complete, we had reversed directions and were in line for our Eastern approach to Fort Lauderdale International airport.  The plane lost altitude rapidly and touched down with powerful bumps that had me wondering how long a set of tires might last on this thing.  The rocky touch down may have signaled a rapid rate of descent and approach but the pilot was in control and followed it up with powerful reverse thrust and braking to slow the silver bird.  Slowing with a force so powerful that we would have slammed into the seats directly ahead of us had we not been securely belted in.  Now after all of this, we were finally ready for a more peaceful taxi to the airport gate.

Carolyn and I strode off the plane and into hustle of the Fort Lauderdale airport several thousand miles from home.   It felt like we were in a whole new world where clear blue sky and warmth were common events in the midst of winter.  We were prepared to spend the next couple of weeks here in Hollywood, Florida at our eldest daughter and son in law's home.  Our intent was to have some quality time with grand kids, take long walks on the beach and rest up for deep brain stimulation 
surgery.  Add to that the joy of Cuban coffee, a good beer now and then and I feel rested right now just thinking about the days in front of us.  After all, in the weeks ahead looms a momentous step: Deep Brain Stimulation Surgery.

Though our trip had been planned many months in advance and the steps toward DBS had similarly begun many months ago the events that scheduled them back to back with a Florida trip fell in place last week.  After last week's appointment with my neurologist we agreed to move ahead with surgery. I had placed a call to the DBS surgical center at Swedish Hospital and told them that I was ready.  With this call the wheels of what seemed like a massive freight train began to turn, picking up speed with each passing day.

Thursday late afternoon I was called back by their scheduling clerk and real times and dates were agreed upon:

2/26 Thursday 2015

Final fasting blood work and physical exam. Which means, no liquids or food after midnight.  Same day1230: MRI brain scan. An image to look for excessive brain shrinkage which could allow movement of my brain and complicate placement of the wire leads.  The image also would provide the surgeon with a map for guidance to subsequent placement of the leads into the deepest part of my brain.

3/03 Tuesday
DBS

3/03-3/04 Tuesday and Wednesday 
Observation in ICU for one night and then hopefully home to sweet Whidbey Island.

3/11 Wednesday 
Back to Swedish for outpatient surgery for placement of controller and batteries directly in my chest wall somewhere beneath the clavicle or collar bone.

For the time being still Shaky in Coupeville