Morning of surgery

Hey there. I didn't have time to update my blog yesterday, but here's a short overview. Mom, Dad, and I woke up and headed to the hospital. We arrived at 7 and walked through an empty waiting room to Dr. Bridwell's office. It was the quietest/emptiest I've ever seen the place! We talked with Dr. Bridwell and Bernie, discussing final assessments for what would be going down. I met the guy who will be on one side of me during the operation, so that was interesting. We went from there to get my central line placed. I wasn't too scared because I wasn't expecting much. Haha I was wrong. Mom and I went back, and the guy placed an IV in my right hand. He prepped me to go into the "operating" room, where they had me change tables to lay on one with an xray machine above it. My hair was put in a cap, some guy painted me with a whole bunch of orange soap, and then gave me a sedative. I remember feeling lots of pressure, the occasional bit of pain, and the sting from the pain medication they injected three times. The guy watched on the machine as he put the line inside a huge vein leading to my heart. They stitched me up and that was that. Well, I was wheeled back to the "recovery" room, where I thought it would be okay to get in a wheelchair and leave. I was wrong. I asked for water since I couldn't have it the night before, and I think that made me sick. Dad left the room so I could get changed, and I almost passed out. I caught it in time before I fell. Long story short, I got super nauseous, lost all color in my face, had to be put back in a room to chill out, and was given two doses of the nausea medication they give to chemo patients. About thirty minutes later (I think?) I was ready to go. I then went to talk with the anesthesiology department about my health history. Suuuuper nice lady (that's sarcasm) talked with me and had no sense of humor. So much for me making jokes about being out of shape...Guess she just wasn't having it. So then we were done! Left the Center for Advanced Medicine, went to Panera, and ate some chicken soup broth and tea. It was tasty! We got some to take home for dinner.

We went to Webster, where I got some final transcripts to scan for applications. Saw Tracey and that was nice. :) Showed dad the random poster I'm on in Webster Hall. He found it funny. Then we went back to my apartment for a bit. Mom and Dad took a short nap while I hugged Macie. Then Dad got up, he and I dropped Macie off at the kennel (Country Acres), and I went to see Sarah. We met at Starbucks and it was super nice of her to buy me some tea since I could have clear-ish liquids for the rest of the night. I love her. She's such an amazing friend and I have no idea what my life would be like without her. Dad came back to pick me up and we went to Dierbergs to pick up press-n-seal for my shower. Came home, sealed me up with glad wrap and tape (two layers), then showered. Talked with a super nice friend for quite some time to chill while I ate jello and drank Gatorade. Then bed!

We're getting ready to walk out the door. I don't know if I can update before I go back for surgery. Here's the basics:

God is there for me today, but more importantly always. He loves me, will never leave me, and gave his Son so that I can sit here with full confidence that my life was ransomed. I am His. :) "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:9