Surgery Date

     So, had a couple gut checks today.  We did get a firm surgery date, I will be going under the knife 19 June and Dr. Mapstone will be performing the surgery.  On Monday, I have to call to schedule my pre-op appointment for the 12th or the 13th.  That is apparently going to be a 2-3 hour appt to get cleared by blood work and the anesthesiologist.  Then I will have to go in for the surgery at 0500 on the 19th for the surgery that starts at 0700.  So, here comes the first of the gut checks, the surgery will be 2-2.5 hours long, once done I will go into recovery to get out of anesthesia, then I will go into ICU for a "couple days".  I was expecting a day in the ICU, but apparently it's longer than I thought.  In addition, there is most likely an age limit for visitors in the ICU, so the kids probably won't be able to visit.  This is probably a good thing, not sure that I will want them seeing me in the condition I'll be in.  After I get out of ICU, I will spend a couple more days in the hospital, then get to go home for the long recovery.
     I'm taking quite a bit of leave leading up to the surgery.  We just got back from Carbondale for my niece's graduation, and then we have a wedding the 9th of June.  We've got friends coming into town the first weekend in June.  And I wanted to take some time to get some stuff done around the house (hopefully, I'll use the time to get stuff done instead of just sitting on my arse).  Basically it boils down to working one day a week until the surgery (man I love the military).  Enter gut check number two....I looked at the calendar today at work and realized that means I only have 3 more days of work until the surgery.  I will be at work the 24th, 1st, and 18th, between the 1st and 18th, I will have to be on leave for the weekend anyway so I just took both full weeks.  It's starting to sink in a little more that I'm going to be having brain surgery a month from now.  I won't lie, starting to freak out a little bit, but know in the long run, I have to have it done.
     Luckily, for the surgery, my wife and I have a great support system.  My mom, dad, and sister will be coming down from Illinois to be with us/help out in any way they can.  My sister-in-law and mother-in-law have already requested the day off from work, so they too will be there to support us/Tish during the surgery.  My office and cousin who lives in OKC have already offered to help in any way they can, whether it be mowing the grass, making meals, etc.  For that, we are very grateful and very fortunate.      
     I'm really hoping things stay good at work, I'd really hate to come back after being out for 2 months to a gigantic cluster.  I realize that will be the least of my worries a month from now, but right now it's one thing that helps keep my mind off of things.