Hello, today is the 16Th of April. I go into surgery tomorrow at 5:00AM.

I have met some of the nicest people here and have learned learned a lot.

Maybe I have helped a few too.

I have gone through so much more than I realized. Maybe that is the trick: to not count every ache you have. My Dear Husband and I can think of lots of ways that I could have fractured T-2. I am not so scared as I was. ****I have always jumped up and said "I am ok!"**** And I am.

Tomorrow the first surgery of the day at the hospital I go to will be me.

Good bad or indifferent, I will be forever changed and I know that I will have some part of the old me inside after the surgery. I will be a lot more careful this time that God has given me. I am blessed to be at a hospital that teaches and does research. My surgeon is head of the department. My pain specialist is the greatest and so compassionate. She will not let me suffer any more than necessary, as in growth there has to be a little pain. MY PT is aware of my Fibromyalgia and chronic Fatigue Syndrome. I have low human growth hormone so it will take me longer to recover. But I will recover.

I am sure I will have pain, I know my pulse ox is not the greatest, I know I have some issues and an 8 level fusion will not be the most fun thing I ever did but I will make the most of it. Last time I was in ICU all day after the surgery- But ---

I will survive!

I am a survivor.

I can use a little help from my friends. Let me take you virtually into the operating room to give me even more confidence and with prayers, I will get through this and go on.

Thanks for all your support.

Malilnda:g rouphug: