I had my last 2 appointments this week. On Monday I met with a pulmonologist as a follow up to my pulmonary embolism last month. My lungs checked out, which was expected honestly. The funniest part of the appointment was the MA "double checking" to make sure she had the right chart. And I can see why. A patient that was coming out from seeing the pulmonologist before me was probably 25 years older than me.

I said something like, "yeah, you probably don't get many people my age in". She said, nope. It wouldn't surprise me if I was the youngest patient they've had all year. Maybe ever!

On Tuesday I met with the surgeon and the appointment went well. I'm scheduled for surgery next Tuesday. Not the major surgery I was expecting, and it looks like initially I won't be getting an ostomy bag ... which is nice. We're cautiously optimistic on the prognosis at this point, but all signs are pointing to it being good.

The best part about the surgery I'll be having is that I essentially get to prep like you do for a colonoscopy, but for TWO days instead of ONE! So I'm really looking forward to that. Lots of 'clear' foods, although coffee counts as clear (just no milk of ANY kind).

It'll be an inpatient experience, so surgery and then a 1 night hospital stay. I'm really hoping I'll be able to eat dinner while I'm there. The hospital, as I've noted before, has really good food!

So yeah, I'm not "out of the woods", but I can see the openness of the meadow just beyond the trees. It's a good feeling.