[mrerick]

Hang in there Bill. Things should go fine.

When I had my first surgery last year, it was an emergency full abdominal issue. Diagnosed in the ER at 11PM, I was on the table at 5AM the next morning.

Not in the best of condition at the main hospital ER, I had seen people in scrubs all night. There, at the foot of the bed, I saw a somewhat frumpy looking woman talking to me. After about a minute, I realized that she was describing the process that was required, and that she was the surgeon!

I held up my hand for the paperwork, and interrupted her, asking "You've done this before, right?"

She laughed and said, "yes"... to which I said, "let's get this done" and signed the paperwork. I was under the knife with her again six months later as planned to reverse the procedure and that one went even better.

It's strange that i remember that because the anesthesia tends to erase memories from just before surgery.

Some things just have to be. I am thankful for:

- modern anesthesia
- the dedication and skill of medical personnel
- the research and facilities that make all this possible

Each time you go under, you realize that you might not return. When you do return, you're thankful and tend to appreciate things just a little bet more...

You'll do fine. Best wishes, Marc