Two and a Half Steps Closer...

What a fucking long day today was. I took the day off work because I had three separate tests scheduled at three separate locations throughout the suburbs. My mother-in-law took the day off work also because my father-in-law had eye surgery first thing this morning. So after she got him settled in at home, she headed to my place to begin the trek with me this afternoon. These are pre-op tests required to get clearance for surgery. The first was an EKG and evaluation from cardiovascular specialist. This test was only mildly uncomfortable, and didn't take long at all, which was nice. The doc was very pleased with my ticker, and gave me his blessing to continue in my pursuit of the surgery. Upon leaving there we headed to High-Tech Medical Park in Palos Heights, and proceeded to miss the turnoff and go WAY too far west of town, which had us about a 1/2 hour longer on the road than needed. But upon arrival at High-Tech, things went fairly well. Once they located my referral, (don't get me started on HMOs!) the X-rays went fairly well. Six shots, only one double take, and only waited about 20 minutes for a "walk in service" appointment. So, all in all, success. I stopped in their restroom because I hadn't been since I got dressed mid day and was dying to go by then! Okay, so the way I had the afternoon scheduled, we had three hours to get all this done. My first appointment was at 3PM and my final labwork was at my regular doctor's office which closed at 6PM. It was now 5:15 and we were headed to Homer Glen to my doctor's office. We got there at 5:37 and I motored in and signed in at 5:43. They took 4 or 5 tubes of blood with only two sticks. My arm didn't work so they went for my hand. The hand hurts more, but it always works for me so I send them there to speed things up. I hadn't drank anything all afternoon, which makes your veins harder to find. Then they surprised me by wanting a urine sample! I was like, well, I haven't drank all afternoon and I just went, but I'll see what I can do! So with some acrobatics I accomplished that as well.
Man, did I feel virtuous when I reappeared outside the doctor's office at 6:03PM, within 3 minutes of perfect according to our plans. Then when I got home the nurse called and said they realized they had told me I didn't need to fast prior to the bloodwork and now they realized two of the tests would require a fast. Needless to say I wasn't thrilled. The only thing is I would probably have needed one more set of labs prior to surgery anyway, or at least thats what the doc's office tried to sell me tonight.
So that bullshit kept it from being a perfect doctor day, but all in all it was still good. Now I hope by the end of the week to have my final appointment scheduled at UIC Hospital, and from there a DATE for the surgery and ALL SYSTEMS ARE GO.
I want to take this chance again to sing the praises of the people who are supporting me most. Especially my in-laws, Paul and Sally, who provide my transportation and a lot of emotional support. but my friends and family too, for all the love and support. We are going to do this thing. Plan on it!