Just the Facts: No doctor appointments this week.  However, the planning and preparation is in full frenzy mode now. Surgery will be April 6.

Details: My surgery is two weeks from today.  If you know me, you know that I am a planner.  Of course, the nesting instinct probably hits everyone faced with something like this. My friend, Linda, went through the same thing, she tells me, and she is not a planner.  Either way, the truth is that I am busy running around buying everything (and more) that I think I might need in the hospital, during recovery and beyond.  I’m still cleaning out closets but also have begun to think about how to manage daily life after surgery, when I’m not 100%.

Things I’m thinking about and/or working on:

  • Cooking and freezing food for the family for the days I’m in the hospital and the first few days I’m home.  I know my sweet neighbors and friends will want to start bringing food soon, too, but I feel the need to make some also.
  • Stocking the pantry with breakfast/lunch/snack food that the kids and Tracy will want and that I will want when I get home.
  • Finding fun activities for the kids to do during their Spring Break, which also happens to be the week of my surgery.
  • Lining up rides home from the bus stop for Mitchell, for when I might not be able to drive.
  • Figuring out acceptable ways to make room for all my things from my studio to fit back into my house, since I have to be out of the studio by March 31.  Tracy has done a magnificent job on the garage.  That will hold a lot of stuff, but much of it will need to be inside as well.  And I want a small desk and office area.  I just do.  That’s a priority.
  • Trying to think of an anniversary gift (20 years) and a birthday gift for Tracy.  Both occasions happen within a week of my surgery.
  • Trying to figure out what things I will need for survival after this surgery, and shopping for them. (I have researched this extensively and have a list).  For instance, a special garment with a place to hold my surgical drains while I have them (+/- two weeks after surgery).  I am not sure if the hospital will provide this and don’t want to wait to find out, because having one seems way too important.
  • Looking for a breast cancer flag for the front of the house.  I need this.  (See earlier post.)  I must have this. I just haven’t found one I like yet.

Perhaps all this is what happens when surgery is too far off and one is forced to wait.  Ugh. Or maybe it’s God’s way of keeping me busy so I don’t have too much time to sit and think.

Prayer Requests: Pray that my nesting instinct will lead me to just the right amount of preparation and not make us all crazy for no good reason. ;-)   Please continue to pray for Olivia and Mitchell.  They are doing well but their concern is obvious and worry is always just under the surface.  Please pray for Tracy also.  Same thing.

Other: All of your prayers, good wishes and support are so welcome and so appreciated. Thank you for your comments here as well.  You make my day.  :-)