Surgery, Part I

Good news from the MRI --- they didn't see anything they weren't expecting! My surgery was scheduled for Wednesday, August 29.

I had to stop eating at midnight, my surgery wasn't until 2:00 the following day, and I couldn't sleep the night before. I was in horrible pain, couldn't breath and could hardly raise myself to a sitting position. I was certain that during the MRI procedure they had broken a rib!

I haven't mentioned much about my husband's role throughout this process. He's not a chatty guy, and doesn't express his emotions (except through angry outbursts). He lost both of his parents to cancer, and my diagnosis was bringing back memories he'd hoped not to revisit.

I'm not sure what I expected from him ... something romantic, straight out of a made-for-TV movie. I had hoped for quiet, reflective moments together... but, he's not that kind of guy. He was either attending Royal's baseball games or watching baseball on TV. We just went through the motions of life as usual.

When the morning of my surgery came, nothing in our relationship had changed ... I was still bitching at him to get ready so we wouldn't be late, we had to round up cats and dogs, and make sure everything was "buttoned down" before we left. And, as instructed by the nurse, I had to "frost" my nipple with an analgesic cream ... I was hoping I could at least share this moment with Frank, but...I had to frost alone!

As usual, we were running late...the drive to the hospital was by far the most dangerous part of the entire day. I could tell that Frank was worried about me by the number of people he yelled at on the road. When you've been together over 22 years, you just know these things about each other. I believe we encountered at least 15 "idiots" on route to the hospital ... I knew that Frank really loved me!