The Price of Pre-Admission

Yesterday was my pre-admission to Baylor Spa (as my friend Dave so named it). This is reviewing all paperwork, insurance information and making sure you are medically able to withstand surgery. I had to give a little blood and have an EKG. All systems are go! I also had to fill out MORE PAPERWORK. NO. I AM NOT PREGNANT for the 15th time. And the funny question: Are you going through any major life issues right now? HELL-O. I'm pre-admitting for surgery to remove my breasts. I'd say that is pretty major life!!

I felt really good after this appointment. The nurse who checked me in is an 18 year breast cancer survivor. She sees my plastic surgeon (on the side, of course, right now he's mine!). Apparently, he is the greatest and I always put a lot of credence with the nurses because, well...'nuf said. She was also reassuring that I would be fine since I'm young (!) and healthy. I love Baylor Dallas, not because of the forms, but because they really have caring people working there who will tell you you are young. Oh, and they're smart too!!

OK - here's the surgery details (drum roll please):

My surgery takes place July 6 at Baylor Dallas at 9 am (or as we affectionately call it in Dallas - BIG BAYLOR. They have many satellite facilities). I will be in the Roberts Building. Pete and I have to be there at 7:30 am. I will be in surgery for 6-7 hours depending upon how much fun they are having. I will stay in the hospital 1-2 days and will not know about additional treatment needed until after they review my tissue and sentinel node biopsy (to know if the cancer has spread through the nodes). KEEP CHANTING: NO NODES NO NODES NO NODES.

Pete is taking a couple of weeks of Family and Medical Leave (thank you Apple) to take care of me (thank you Pete!).

So many of you have asked, what do we need? Should you come to the hospital? Cook for us? Send flowers?

The short answer is we're blessed to have so many wonderful people in our lives - the outpouring of support has been amazing. But I still bring it back to those who don't have this kind of support. So I'll tell you where my head is and then if I change my mind (because we women are awesome like that) I will let you know.

Visits: I'd probably prefer you didn't visit me in the hospital. I will be at my worst during the first two days. Pete said he is perfectly fine sitting in the waiting room catching up on Words with Friends, Angry Birds and the stack of books he has neglected as a result of aforementioned habits. If you want to check in with Pete for any updates - his email is hangdog@earthlink.net; you can text or call him at 9723457229. I'm not sure he can answer phone calls. He reports that he doesn't need company while waiting.

Once, I'm recovered enough to feel human, I believe that I will want some company to go take a walk with me or talk to me. Stand by. I will continue to blog even if it's a fuzzy call for "COME SEE ME." Pete may make a guest blog appearance.

Flowers: I won't be at the hospital long, so sending flowers there will only mean Pete has to transport grouchy old me home and the flowers. Once we get home, not being able to take care of them and getting aggravated at Pete for not taking care of them and him getting aggravated at me because honestly taking care of me is enough = save your money!

Food: Honestly, it's just Pete and I. One of Pete's best qualities is that he is an amazing cook. He knows my eating habits. So I'm saying - please don't but if you feel compelled to make something, coordinate with Pete. I don't want you to make anything we wouldn't eat or use. I know cooking is an act of love.

So what can you do for me right now?

Most of you know that my passion lies with Komen Dallas because of all the help we give women and families in our community affected by breast cancer. Women who don't have a choice about procedures or doctors or have to take the bus to get to their mastectomy appointment.

SUPPORT THE WAR IN MY RACK! Join my team and walk, run, crawl, sleep in for the cure - October 15, 2011...I will be there regardless of what I'm going through. These are my people!

Sign up: http://dallas.info-komen.org/goto/MyRack

Donate: http://dallas.info-komen.org/goto/TSwain

Silver linings and the Price of Pre-Admission:

BLING!!! During C1 and the bald headed chemo look, a friend suggested that I get diamond earrings to shine brightly around my bald head. I did and to this day I love them and what they stood for.

In remembrance of C2 and turning 50 and not buying the BMW, I did a little swing over to North Park Center (home of the Komen Dallas Race for the Cure) and got a little blue box from Tiffany's... a beautiful yellow diamond from Australia. It will arrive when I arrive home from the hospital. Ok, so that's a yellow lining.