Wow, it really only seems like a day or two ago that I posted last - and there were six days until surgery. We are now down to two - and it is only a couple of hours until midnight, so soon enough we'll be saying SURGERY IS TOMORROW.
This week. Bloody hell, guys. It has been hectic. It hasn't all been cancer related either, fair to say most of it has. We had a meeting at school on Monday, then appts at the hospital Tue/Wed/Thu (and I had work), yesterday we had our craft group (essential self care!), then had to do groceries, I had to stop by work, Lauriel had to have a blood test, then we went to Gordana's for some more essential self care, in the form of painting.
Today started early, we needed to drop Emersyn at Bushy Park because she was leading some tours as part of a Forest and Bird celebration. While she was at Bushy Park, we were at Lauriel's French (teaching) lesson, then we had to pick Emmy up. Then we had to pick Aidan and his girlfriend up and come home. Then we had to set up for the Butthole Retirement Fiesta. Then we had the actual party. By the time everyone left, me and Lauriel were ready for bed!
Tomorrow. Tomorrow we can sleep in. Well, I can. Lauriel can't because of chronic pain issues. We can kind of relax, but at the same time, will be super aware that the hours until Lauriel has her surgery are getting lower and lower and lower and... I'm already pre-exhausted for Monday! I have a feeling that after she is out of surgery I am going to come down big time, and will be like a zombie tomorrow night. All that stress and anxiety will finally be gone - and I'm going to realise I've been pretty much running on adrenalin for the past month.
The latest update: Lauriel needs to be at the hospital by 7am on Monday - and we've been told she's first on the list, so could technically be in surgery around 8.30am? 9.00am? I'm not sure how they schedule these things.
On Thursday Lauriel had her pre-admission appointment and we also met with the anesthetist. We discussed what will happen on the morning of surgery, and what will happen afterward (ICU for 24 hours approx), including the options for pain relief.
Slowly, more of the picture is unfolding. More of what to potentially expect. It has meant the last few days (for me) have been a lot more relaxed, and I'm actually feeling relatively positive about what is to come. I can still imagine Monday is going to be pretty gnarly on me, but it doesn't feel like all doom and gloom now
Tomorrow Lauriel has to do bowel prep again. I can't say I am envious of this. Our friend Sharyn is also arriving, she's going to be my support person on Monday, and is going to be here for me and the kids until Tuesday.
I'm not sure I can be a lot more prepared than I already am? One of the most important things I need to do is make sure I eat regular meals and keep track of my blood glucose levels (I'm type 2 diabetic), so that I'm physically as good as I can be.
I will try and post again tomorrow with some last minute thoughts/feelings about the impending surgery, but otherwise I'll be posting after surgery with and update on the beginning of the next stage of this journey!
Thanks for all your support,
Emma xx