All the ducks are lined up....

The day I have dreaded is fast approaching. Tomorrow, I will be admitted to the hospital and Wednesday at 8:30am, hand surgery and then the long, painful, recovery begins. I am told I will have 3 large incisions and they will take one of the tendons from my forearm and use it as a "pulley system" around a new CMC joint (otherwise known as Basal joint) at the base of my thumb. I will remain admitted to the hospital for a few days with 2 drains, IV Heparin and monitoring of my medical conditions. I will have an external pin. For 2 weeks following surgery, I will be in a soft cast and then for 4-6 weeks a hard cast. The external pin should be removed (not surgery) in his office somewhere around week 4.

The hand surgeon informed me today that the endocrinologist who was so arrogant to me last week is no longer on my case and I will be followed by a "chief attending" internist at the hospital. This doctor will manage my IV Heparin, IV Vitamin C, my port, my heart medication and everything else. Part of me is glad that I will have a day in the hospital before surgery to see how attentitive, diligent, patient, and understanding they are. If at anytime I do not feel the hospital is tending to my needs appropriately... I have time to fix it before the actual surgery. (I hope)

Thank you again everyone for your support, kind words, and patience with me during this tough time. I know that at times I have been unapproachable, irritable, tired, and unbelievably stressed out... but I am just burned out. This is surgery #62 and I feel like I do not have it in me after this past year-- to recover from another one. And a big one....

I will keep you all posted... and if per chance I cannot update because I will be 1 arm-ed, my sister, Michele will update for me.. (I guess I should ask her first.. Hey Michele... can you update for me if I need? GIGGLE)

Well... here goes...
Hugs,
Stacy