We arrived at the hospital at 5:20am and handed the keys to the valet. As we walked toward the door I realized this was the last two hours of having a "free range prostate," but remained calm.
The checkin procedure was quick and efficient, providing a tracking number for Lucia to track my progress throughout the morning, giving her a pager (like a restaurant), and suggesting there is coffee ready at all times. I watch a gentleman register who has no one to wait for him...and I feel sad for him. I listen as people talk about their impending surgeries...some, obviously, having procedures similar to mine.
Soon a nice nurse calls my name and walks us to the elevator to go to Pre-Op. In Pre-Op, she provides a gown for me and introduces us to the nurse who will take care of me until time to head to surgery.
Vitals taken, IV started, advice for what I might experience upon awakening and how to respond.
The surgeon stops by and says hello asking if I have questions (too late). Then the gas passer stops by and asks if I have ever had anesthesia before...I thought I had with a colonoscopy, but he said that was just the light stuff. Then he asks if I might want something for anxiety before I head to surgery. I accepted like I was back in college in the 60s.
Then they come for me...I kiss Lucia goodbye and make the trip to the operating room where there is all kinds of activity. I'm still surprised how calm I have remained...perhaps a reflection of the confidence I have in the team I have chosen (critical regardless of the treatment you choose). The robot is being assembled and looks impressive, the surgeon again says good morning, and that's all I remember before awakening.
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