On Monday I spent another day at the offices of KU Medical Center. I am making the rounds to all of my specialists in order to get approval for the surgery to remove my left adrenal gland due to a tumor being found. In a typical case, the surgery probably would have happened by now, but as anyone with myositis knows, careful is better.

I got to actually meet the surgeon yesterday as well, and he gave me a list of worst case scenarios that are standard for any surgery. I don’t find myself afraid, because my faith is strong. I just find myself tired, and eager to see what this does for my body, my energy and my life.

There are many complications that can occur but the thing he was most concerned with was my ability to move air. Because I already have trouble with the muscles used to breathe, there is a chance that my diaphragm could be damaged or I’m just simply too weak to breathe on my own after the surgery. In that case, I would stay intubated and on a respirator for a few days.

Typical inpatient time for this surgery is 1-3 days. Because of my underlying condition I am looking at 3-5 days, possibly more. Afterward, there is a chance that I will be transferred back to inpatient stay in Lawrence to undergo a 2-4 week pulmonary and physical rehab program.

Time is ticking down. In the meantime I am determined to enjoy my life, work on school and keep smiling. Surgery is scheduled for October 16th, 2015. Here goes nothing.