Long and informative day

First Appointment:
The first appointment of the day (at 9:30 this morning) was with Dr. B (GP) about getting cleared for surgery next week.  Got in pretty quickly as it was one of the first slots of the day.  I did ask whether they had the results of the CT scan or any reports from the knee clinic but they had no record of it at all so I will have to call the clinic tomorrow and give them the correct fax number (they did this last time too, Dr. B is one of 3 or 4 doctors from the same family and same last name).  The nurse got my meds updated, did the normal weight (horrible!! have to work on that big time but it's so hard when over half your pills cause weight gain, not a big deal if you are on one or two but I am on about 5 of such medications), blood pressure and pulse thing.  I get in to the dr and he for once goes thourough and even prints out the last report from Dr. C (Internist) to put along with it and then cleared me for surgery and wished me luck.  I found out while waiting for my dad to pick me up (I can't drive because of the knee) and when I looked at said report it states that I have 'Significant Autonomic Dysfunction' with odd presentation and that we are going for symptom control above anything else.  Also it states that I have Mitral Valve Prolapse, which is news to me.  My old cardiologist kept changing his mind as to if I had it, had the start of it, didn't have whatever pleased him on that date.  So it's good to know that I actually do have MVP, I mean I don't like having it and wish I didn't but at least I now know that I do so the pre-op antibiotics are required now and not just suggested.

Shopping:
Mom and I had to pick up a few things in town before my second appointment of the day so we headed over to the pet store to get the dog's dry food and then we headed to good old Walmart. We grabbed a quick lunch at McD's and then I had to get dog food and treats and wanted to get a new book to read, even though I have a basic library I just wanted to get something new and knew that one of the authors I like had a book coming out today.  I ended up getting three books so I will have lots to read!  We left there around 1:15 and headed to the hospital.

Second Appointment:
Of course I didn't use my crutch while shopping as my knee didn't feel too bad but by the time we got to the hospital mom suggested that I should use my crutch cause there might be a bunch of walking to do.  We get in and I go through there new and 'streamlined' *sarcasm* and then got up to the pre-admission clinic where I handed in my paperwork and then we waited.  My appointment was for 1:45 and I didn't get in to see anyone until around 2:30!  She goes over all the tests (weight, BP, pulse etc) then we go in and discuss the surgery (what is to be done, consent, pre and post op instructions etc).  The one thing that is interesting is that they want me to take my beta blocker before the surgery (at 6am) instead of waiting off until my normal time (11am) as it will help to keep my heart rate under control.  This is the first time that this has been done or even mentioned.  I found out that my surgery will be at 8am and that I need to be at the hospital for 6am.  We haven't decided whether my mom or my dad will be going, just as long as someone goes I am okay about it.  I then get shipped off back downstairs for testing.

Testing:
The part of the day that I was just dreading as I hate getting bloodwork taken.  I get called in and they did an EKG first and that was nice as the nurse doing it was very cautious of my leg wanting to know if I needed a pillow and to tell me when I was in a comfortable position before she would put the sensors on.  Of course she asked what I was having done (seemed strange going in for dental while I am hobbling around on crutches lol) and then she asked what I had done to my knee.  I informed her about EDS and told her that the MCL, LCL and ACL are all loose so they need to do some tightening.  She then goes 'Won't it just all loosen up again and then surgery needed again?' thats more thought than most doctor's don't even pay attention to.  After that she had me go wait in the chairs to get bloodwork done.  I get in for that and tell the lady that I am a tricky patient and then say that I am not trying to do her job or tell her what to do, it's just that you have to use a butterfly in the veins on the top of my hand to get anything.  She got it quite easily and it didn't take very long at all.  Mom was surprised I was out so quick and she didn't even know about the EKG being done. 

We get home and I was ready to crash I was so tired and dizzy but I needed to help K with his math homework and have supper. By that time though I was wide awake again and a nap just wasn't going to happen!  I did almost fall asleep during American Idol though but made it through that and Parenthood before retreating to my room but, again, I am wide awake sitting here with not much to do. So that was my busy day.  Can't wait to get this surgery over with and get back on our normal schedule (not as many appointments to go to!)