So How Do You Pack for BRAIN SURGERY?

Well, packing for my Club Med vacation was not as fun as I thought it would be. Actually, it was a first for me. Maui I know, brain surgery? Hmmmm??? What to pack?
Bible: check
Sun screen? NOPE.
Self tanner? Hmmmm. why not, no tan lines and you can't shower for 24 hours?????
Bikini? Never
Sandals/slippers with matching shoulder bag? Well yes, but a small one; nothing to garish!!!
Pedicure: check
Manicure: check
Hair and waxing: check
Xanax for Patrick, Nicholas, Alexander and Jordan: check
Bed gown and matching hair bow: check!!
Game Boy: check
Thank you notes, addresses and postage: check
Exfoliation product: check
Surgery light dehydration conditioner: check
Floss and tooth paste, DOUBLE CHECK.
Tiara: check
Touch up nail polish: check

Patrick came home from work today at exactly noon. He wanted to attend my pre-op appointment(s) with me and the docs. He walked in with his head hung way low as if in sorrow. Then he saw my three black and red Brighton bags neatly stacked by the front door. He looked confused.

I saw him from the upstairs banister above. I watched him shake his head as lifted each suitcase in disbelief as if to guestimate how many pairs of shoes I actually thought I needed at the Huntington Health Spa and Brain Surgery Wing. "Deb, he shouted, I'm not staying with you over-night, right?" I didn't say a word. Okay, so I was laughing my guts out upstairs. Can't a girl facing brain surgery have a few laughs and props? Okay, so only one of us thought this was funny!!!

We arrive a short time later at the hospital for the pre-admit routine. He was surprised that I had already looked up and down loaded the questionnaire, and had it filled out completly. This minimized our time there because I knew that Jordan had a baseball game in 90 minutes and I didn't want to be late. "Yes, yes, no, no no, blah, blah, blah..." We were out of there. We then headed for the surgeon's office down the road. Patrick drove like a nut, but I made it there in one piece.

Patrick had many last minute questions and actually to my amazement, had a type-written list. To my shagrinPatrick had his questions listed in categories...which I actually loved. He had questions reagarding possible post-op personality changes, (sincerely an irritation to me though). He of course, asked the traditional and perfunctory questions, driving, cooking, cleaning, and bathing the dogs kind of stuff, but more specifically asked that if after surgery would I perhaps feel less inclined to shop, like as in less OCD, or sale minded predisposition.

The doc smiled and said, "Well, if she wasn't feeling well before the surgery, and shopped only a little, you can expect her to improve daily. and be at her best by ten fold in four weeks"..... (Gotta love my little Jewish doc, huh?) Okay, now who needs a blood transfusion????

We get to Jordan's game in time, well two hours late and see the last inning. But we were there!
We picked up Jordan and met the other two sons at a local restaurant called New Moon. We had a good time, except for all the brain tumor jokes. I know, they thought it was funny, but I was secretly plotting to put Nair in all of their underwear that night in retaliation for their less than sensitive humore. My eldest son Nicholas told me to "Relax mom and remember, I'm the one who will sign the papers to put you in the home." Undeterred by my son's playful demeanor, I retorted by saying that I had recently updated my will and clearly stated that my sons were to spend a minimum of ten hours a week bathing me and changing my diaper OR, they'd be disinherited...." Silence befell the restaurant.

Dinner was great, the spicy stuff made my nose sweat. I asked the waiter to make sure that the chef added extra garlic for my dish so I might encourage my surgeon to expedite his surgery. (Next blog!!!)

So it came time for the bill and the fortune cookies.
Nicholas' fortune cookie said: "Your path and road in life are in the driver's seat."

Jordan's fortune cookie said: "Wealth and success are in your future."

Alexander's fortune cookie said: " You will find good fortune on the next full moon."
Patrick's fortune cookie said: Health and happiness are in your future."

Mine said: "Someone you respect will honor you shortly."
So I said:

Jeremiah 30:17 "For I will restore health to you and heal you of your wounds."