The Day Before Surgery

Entry 21
December 8


Thanks to everyone for the good wishes.


This day has been one of preparation for the radical prostate surgery.  Never thought I'd have jello for breakfast. Only tea, apple juice, weak coffee, bouillon, Gatorade, carbonated drinks like ginger ale, and jello are allowed during the 24 hours prior to the surgery which takes place tomorrow morning.  I just had supper. It was a popsicle. By the time this is over, I'll be gnawing on the table legs.


After tea and jello this morning, we headed to the hospital for my 9 AM appointment with the anesthetist for another blood pressure measurement, more blood sample extraction, and more questions about my health history. Sounds like I will be having a combo anesthetic consisting of an epidural and a general anesthetic administered by IV.


My provincial health card has my birth month wrong, May instead of June. We had to continue to use the wrong birthdate on the request for blood from the Red Cross. According to the nurse, if there is any mismatch of patient data between that request and the info held in the Manitoba Health data bank, the Red Cross will not process the request. The blood may not be required, but on the other hand, it may if there is excessive blood loss during the surgery. When the dust settles, we'll get that date fixed on my Manitoba Health records.


We walked to find the admissions center which is where I have to check in at 5:45 AM tomorrow. That was a good exercise because it gave us a clear sense of where to park tomorrow.


Earlier today, we watched a good made-in-Manitoba DVD called "You've Had Your Surgery...Now What?". The video was professionally prepared by Dr. Anne Katz & Cancer Care Manitoba specifically for prostate cancer patients. It contained valuable information about what to expect in the hospital and when I get home.  Most likely I won't have many surprises.

At hospital for appointment with anesthetist

Tonight, one hour before bed,  the Fleet enema.