Checking All the Boxes

Ever since Saturday I have had a cold developing. Usually this is not the slightest bit newsworthy but it made me a little anxious because the pre-op people told me not to come in if I was sick. But the definition of sick was vague to me.  I knew I wouldn't go in if I had a fever, but what if my breathing was impaired?  I asked my doctor friends who I absolutely trust and they said if you don't have a fever, you are good to go.  But this chest thing was getting kind of noisy, with coughing and wheezing. I really didn't want to arrive at the hospital, having done all my required prep, and be turned away. I would rather know now -- so we can start filling up the hot tub again.

Before I took my first dose of antibiotics (ugh, this whole thing is going to get so out of control with the pills), I decided to call Kaiser and just make sure.  My description of my symptoms made the advice nurse call the surgeon and and urgent care doc. They said I should come in and get checked. So I did.  After a breathing treatment (haven't had one of those in many years) and a chest X-ray, I got the green light.

I do feel so much better, just having that uncertainty cleared up. Now I am almost happy to be drinking this nasty colon cleaner juice for the second time in a week.  At least I think it's all going to be okay, I will get through the door and the anesthesiologist won't look at me and chase me out with a broom.

But while I was sitting at Kaiser I did start to make a mental list of all the good things I would be able to do with another two week vacation. I haven't been allowed to get in the hot tub (my poor knees, but they are coping) since the biopsy. I could use up more of my unlimited introductory month at the yoga studio, I could swim!  But oh well, this is also fine and we will be back on track that much quicker.