The Calm Before (and After!) the Storm
I have had lots of things to worry about leading up to my surgery. Whether or not insurance would cover any bit of it (spoiler alert: it won’t). How my kids would handle 2 weeks away from their parents. How my dental office and patients will do without me for a month. If I will have any complications during my surgery. How much pain I will have…and the list goes on. One thing I didn’t plan on worrying about: a hurricane.
About 3 weeks prior to my surgery, I got an email saying the Piper Clinic would be closed for a week due to the impending storm, Hurricane Ian. The hospital where I am to have my surgery proactively evacuated all of their patients. The entire area was in a mandatory evacuation zone. The news made sure to include that if the storm hit the Tampa Bay Area, the result would be catastrophic. I was glued to my phone and computer screen daily to watch the hurricane and its path of destruction. Would I need to reschedule my surgery? It wouldn’t be a simple, “let’s just push it off a week.” It would probably have to be 6 months or more if that were to happen. Ugh. Thankfully by the end of that week, I finally received word from the clinic that all was ok and that surgery was still on track for my original day. However, the house I originally rented was damaged and we needed to make a last-minute change. Thankfully this was not too difficult and we found a nice VRBO property in the “Historic Old Northeast” downtown area of St. Petersburg.
We arrived in St. Petersburg on Sunday afternoon. I’ve had pre-op appointments both Monday and today (Tuesday). These have consisted of measurements, health history reviews, blood tests and other labs, and chiropractic adjustments. I’ve picked up my 9 prescriptions, bought my recommended supplements and heating pads, water bottles, and hand mirrors. Now we wait.
I will say that I have heard amazing things about my surgeon Dr. Brian Shah from all of his staff and colleagues. Even from those who also worked with his predecessor Dr. Mark Piper (who is quite “famous” in the oral surgery/dental world). Dr. Shah is kind and easy to talk with. He does not have that arrogant attitude that so many brilliant surgeons are “blessed” with. Hearing the unprovoked praises of his skills and his patient’s results from the people who work around him has very much put me at ease.
Tomorrow (Wednesday, October 19, 2022) is surgery. I arrive at 5:30 AM (EST) at the hospital. Surgery will actually start closer to 7:30 AM. It is expected to be 8 hours (give or take an hour). Not only is it expected that I will be up and walking that evening after surgery, it is mandated. That blows my mind.
I will try to post somewhat regularly over the next week to share my progress. I may even post a picture or two! Warning–I was told my face may look like a basketball…