Oh my. How devestating!
I certainly 'hear' you! I'm so sorry about losing 2 family members!
Well, I'm sure.....Like Mark said - as long as your doctor is fully aware of what's goin on, he'll take everything into account and make it work for you...

Please don't feel intimidated. It'll work out.
What type of pain are you in presently? I should have looked back thru your prior posts to see what you are battling (forgive me).
I'm wondering if you are able to keep your pain somewhat under control and do the trip with your family before the surgery?
The Fentanyl pain patches bought me aLOT of time during the interim. Do you have scripts that you'd be able to have with you to keep your pain at bay?
One would certainly think that they could simply schedule you and get it done....but, yes, like Mark implied.....it does somehow end up being dragged out.
But HEY! I would LOVE to see if your doctor and his team (and the SCS Reps) can somehow respect your predicament and make it work for you!
Nothing is impossible! And if this ends up being the case, just think how much your testimony here will inspire other's who come here seeking info and input. I honestly can't remember how they did Vannafeelbetter's.....if they did both at once or not......
Everybody's stories vary in so many ways, so this is why it's great to have this thread to follow. Don't take what we say as 'gold'...... we simply learn and build off of one another.
We're pullin for ya! Let us know what the Doc says!

Rae