18 days and counting . . .

I look at my calendar everyday and it seems like things are moving faster and faster towards the imminent surgery date.

I only have 2 days left of "real food". I wanted to self start a liquid diet but my doctor told me not to because it didn't work with my meds and they don't want me off them too long before surgery. I am ready to tackle the 2 week challenge. If I can do Atkins for 2 weeks without any problems then this will be just as easy. Especially since all of my food is calculated perfectly so all of the guess work is taken out of it. That makes it 100x easier. I don't know how other people do it with just a list of approved foods.

I still have a few things to buy to take with me to the hospital, still. Like the sleeping mask, sponge, mint strips, and travel sized shampoos and other toiletries.

I'm riding the roller coaster of emotions everyday. I go up and down from excited to nervous. I'm trying not to dwell on the upcoming pain and recovery of it all. I'm trying not to dwell on the fact that I'll have tubes and instruments shoved down my throat. I'm trying not to dwell on the fact that I'll have gas pain and a very dry mouth for most of the day of surgery. I'm just trying not to dwell on it.

I will say I have a name picked out for my new tummy. It's name will be "Steve the Sleeve". Many people on the OH board name their new tummies and so I named mine now. Since Stephanie is the feminine of Stephen, I figured Steve fit nicely, especially since it rhymed with sleeve, LOL.

The last thing we need to secure, is "daycare" for the kids. We have them taken care of for Thursday and Friday, but Saturday and Sunday are still up in the air. I just have to make arrangements. I wish they could visit me at the hospital, but they only allow 2 visitors at a time. We're hoping the laptop we rent will have a webcam so I can talk to them via the net. Of course that's if the hospital has internet access through wi-fi.

This waiting is intense. That's for sure. :D