Jan:
Thanks so much for your recognition of my two-year surgery anniversary and your very kind words.
I appreciate it. My wife will appreciate it when I pass on your thanks, too. Actually, she is very understanding about my time spent on this site. She gets it.
Unfortunately, with the very hot weather Saturday (93º) and more pressing things to focus on, my AN surgery anniversary was acknowledged with remembrance, and little more. The long (30 miles) drive to the hospital in the dark (4:30 am) with my wife and sister-in-law along for support. The lengthy check-in-and-wait routine, a surprise (but welcome) visit from 4 of my church's Elders -
and the minister, just before going to surgery. The last-minute tightening of my stomach muscles as I was wheeled into the operating room and realized that this was
really happening. The look of forced cheerfulness attempting - and failing - to mask concern from my wife and finally, the technician (wearing a smock with a Pittsburgh hospital's name on it) who spoke to me just before I went under the influence of the anesthetic and said he was the nerve monitoring guy my neurosurgeon had retained (from Pittsburgh, of course) and that he would make sure my facial nerves weren't 'compromised' during the surgery. He also praised the neurosurgeon, which made me feel good. Then, it was all over, I was lying in a bed in ICU wearing a too-tight head bandage, sporting a catheter, an IV line and feeling extremely sleepy - and thirsty. My wife was sitting by my bed and looked tired but much happier than she had some 9 hours earlier. That was
June 7th, 2006 for me - and I recall it quite vividly, of course.
Thanks again for the recognition, Jan. We value involved ANers like you and I'm pleased that you remain a vital member that contributes greatly to our little 'community'. Now, try to stay cool.
Jim
