We are scheduled for 8:30 AM. We are to arrive no later than 6:30 AM to go through admitting and surgery preparation. Don't forget your ID, they tell me. And toiletries, since I will be there a few days.

Feels a bit like a transcontinental flight, but instead of waking up in Paris or Amsterdam, groggy from not enough sleep, bloated and gassy from airplane food, I will be waking up in a hospital bed, high on quality medications and hooked up to a whole mess of tubes. I won't lose any luggage, but I will be minus my left tonsil and all of the lymph nodes on the left side of my neck. 

I hope I get a room with a view.

My leave from work started on Monday. I've spent the days doing a few key things (in my mind, at least.)

1. Preparing my healing spot. Its a sun room with a big comfy chair and ottoman, a desk and some newly re-potted plants we had been neglecting.

2. Going to yoga. Over the past month I had scaled back the more intense power yoga I had been doing and was practicing at home instead. But I felt like getting out to a class for the past few days, to be with others and get some attention from an instructor. I am glad I did.

3. Eating. I've cut down my sugar and coffee intake and have eliminated alcohol. But I am eating as much as I want and as frequently as I can while I can. Assuming this surgery does the trick, I won't have the whole radio-chemotherapy thing to completely kill my eating, but I will still be unable to eat anything solid for a while. So I am eating all the good fruits and vegetables that are currently in season that won't be when I am able to have at it again. Also, went out for Soon doo boo at one of my favorite restaurants with Marissa and our dear, dear friend Jennifer.

4. Chillin'. Its nice to not think about work or worry about other things. I need to do that more often. Also, have been listening to music throughout the day. I need to do that more as well.

Speaking of music, we were listening to some this morning and I picked out my surgery song. This is the song I want in my head when they put me under. It is nothing deep and serious. I like the lyrics - particularly about time being precious - and the music itself is perfect for being relaxed and in a positive state of mind.

I am heading into this "trip" with more love and support than I could have ever hoped for and am eternally grateful for it all. So, In keeping with today's metaphor, my seat belt is fastened and I am ready for take off.