THE SURGERY CHRONICLES, PT 1: PRE-OP
I have tried not to make this a blog about me. I enjoy writing about pop culture more than almost anything, besides watching and listening to it. Apparently it’s time to make an exception.
On Wednesday, I am undergoing spinal surgery (a microdiscectomy) to remove herniated disc material in my lower back. For the past year and a half, I have been dealing with serious discomfort, physical therapy and occasional steroid epidural shots. I am 34 years old but increasingly look like a 70 old man after attempting to exercise, dance, drive or stand up or longer than two hours.
Of course my healthy/homeopathic/holistic friends are strongly against surgery, but I’ve explained that acupuncture and other alternative methods are only temporary fixes. I need my life back.
So tonight I had my ‘prison meal,’ my last big dinner and homemade goodness before the big day. Tomorrow night I have to eat early and less, as I have to be at the hospital at 6am on Wednesday morning.
Several people are asking how I feel. One part of me is typically tightly wound and neurotic, filled with worst-case-scenarios and fear. The other part is surprisingly zen, at peace and ready to go.
Normally I research the hell out of everything. But knowing that slight panic and overreaction are always little demons on my horizon, I decided against reading too much about what I’m about to endure. People that I’ve talked to that have had the same surgery have nothing but positive results to report. After spending two hours signing stacks of papers for pre-op, however, I found out that this is a much bigger deal than I’d imagined (or wanted to). First of all, it is a two and half hour procedure. Second, the incision and scar will not be small. But frankly, I haven’t donned a bikini in twenty years, so that is not much of a concern.
Perhaps it is the anxiety and anticipation, or perhaps just the timing. I have been unusually sentimental lately, reflecting back on a pretty amazing year…
The Sundance Film Festival. Celebrating ten years with the love of my life at a beautiful winery surrounded by 100 friends and family. A week cruising the unbelievably stunning coast of Alaska. Writing and posting an angry letter about a show, pissing off an actor, and getting a mention in USA Today. Watching my good friend Matt sell out and absolutely rock The Fillmore, accompanied by a custom poster created just for that show. Having the opportunity to interview both an inspiring TV writer and a damn funny stand up comedienne. So I can’t complain. At all.
Anyway, my
goal is to blog as much as possible during recovery. Because it is
comforting and familiar. And because that huge stack of rented DVDs
will only keep me company for so long. So my next post should be on
Thursday, after I return home from the hospital. I have no idea what
condition or state I will be in, but I will do my best to keep this site updated.
As they administer the anesthesia, I will be dreaming about waking up to my copy of Lost, The Complete Third Season on DVD (it comes out tomorrow; it was nice of them to schedule the release around me).
So stay tuned…if you’re interested. This might be a very entertaining journey to follow.