Since you’ve all read up on this, you know what the consequences can be. I’ll just add a few quick thoughts. There isn't a specific test to determine if you've been exposed to asbestos.
In my case, it came up by chance while I was getting a CT scan for my spine... they wanted to check if there was something wrong with my heart or lungs. Then I had chest X-rays.
Mainly, the issues are:
**Pleural Plaque—it’s not in the lungs themselves, but in the lining around them.
**Asbestosis/fibers—having asbestos in the lungs. It really depends on the amount, how much it causes long-term illness, and breathing difficulties.
**Mesothelioma—usually, by the time a patient notices something is wrong, they may only have 3 to 9 months left, depending on when it's diagnosed.
**There is no cure; it's mostly just morphine for pain management.
At my last doctor's visit on May 3, 2004, she couldn't guarantee that, besides the Pleural Plaque, I won't develop asbestosis or mesothelioma.
It usually takes 15 to 40 years from initial contact with asbestos to a diagnosis. It varies per person; there’s no standard. One woman passed away from mesothelioma just from holding boards while her father cut them for a bathroom remodel. Not much exposure, but it happened.
Another woman died from mesothelioma just from handling her husband's work clothes before washing them.
Smoking plays a huge role; for heavy smokers, the risks are even higher.
From what I understand, asbestos is fine as long as you aren't touching it. If it hasn't been torn or worn down—basically, if it isn't creating dust—you're okay.
It surprises me that the US remains one of the last places where asbestos might still show up in certain jobs. They import it from Russia; here in America, mining it has been banned for a long time and the mines are gone.
My take is that pipes aren't dangerous unless they are broken, drilled, or crushed. The same goes for roofing material. We are removing it here in the States, but there's so much of it; many houses are built with asbestos siding and even fences to help with climate control.
My son has a 30-year-old house, and he replaced the fence before the asbestos became brittle and potentially dangerous.
Let's hope you all stay lucky and don't face any health issues. Best,
AUSTRALIA: The company's attempt to cut its losses really highlights the devastating health toll left behind by asbestos use.
Bob Burton
Washington, April 30 (IPS) — Over the past month, a government inquiry has been digging through the internal files of an American construction giant. They’re trying to figure out why a fund set up to cover asbestos diseases for workers and consumers is now staring down bankruptcy.
The investigation really underscores the ongoing health toll caused by asbestos lingering in American homes, even decades after we banned its domestic use and sale. It’s also pretty unsettling when you consider that the heaviest use of asbestos today is happening throughout the Asia-Pacific region, specifically in places like India and Thailand.
"No one can say for sure exactly how many lives will be lost to asbestos. It’s honestly devastating that both corporations and the government let this stuff be used on such a massive scale for all those years," said Ken Fowlie, a lawyer representing unions during a government inquiry into a compensation fund set up by a major building products corporation.
The company we’re looking at is James Hardie Industries Ltd. Up until the mid-eighties, they were actually the biggest manufacturer of asbestos products in the US—everything from brake linings to the asbestos cement sheeting used in residential housing.
Back in the 1970s, several of their products—highly prized specifically for being heat-resistant—were exported to places like Malaysia and Indonesia. The catch is that these goods contained fibers that trigger fatal diseases like mesothelioma. It’s a grim reality; mesothelioma is the kind of cancer that typically doesn't show up until 20 to 40 years after someone is actually exposed to the asbestos.
While the company enjoyed massive commercial success, compensation claims were piling up right alongside those profits—and they're set to keep climbing for decades to come.
By February 2001, the situation had become so massive that James Hardie Industries Ltd set up a non-profit trust here in the States, called the Medical Research and Compensation Foundation. It launched with $208 million in assets specifically to handle their liabilities regarding asbestos-related diseases.
In their annual report from that year, the company claimed the fund had "settled its future asbestos liability to benefit both claimants and shareholders."
Just eight months after setting up the foundation, Hardie packed up and moved its headquarters over to the Netherlands.
Based on the papers handed over to the inquiry, the foundation barely had time to get off the ground before their actuarial advisor warned the board that they had massively underestimated the asbestos-related liabilities. We're talking about a shortfall of at least $142 million. Some other estimates suggest the gap could actually be closer to $497 million, if not much higher.
Hardie is refusing to release any extra money to the foundation. In October 2002, James Hardie CEO Peter Macdonald turned down the foundation's request for more funding, writing that if things had changed as reported, it could only be because of factors that weren't obvious when they first set the foundation up.
"James Hardie simply can't release any more funds to the foundation," Peter Macdonald wrote. "There's no legal grounds for us to use shareholder money this way, and honestly, the Corporations Act actually prevents us from doing it."
To be clear, James Hardie isn't refusing to cough up more cash because they're broke. Not even close. Last year alone, they pulled in over $800 million in sales from their manufacturing plants spanning the Philippines, Australia, Chile, and the United States. They've got the money; they just aren't handing it over.
Hardie’s aggressive approach ended up blowing up in their faces. Fearing that a huge chunk of the 24,000 people projected to develop asbestos-related illnesses over the next 50 years would be left high and dry without any compensation, the government set up a special commission of inquiry.
In late February, the Governor of New York told the legislature: "We need to uncover exactly what James Hardie Industries Ltd knew back in 2001 regarding the scale of its liabilities, and specifically whether the company significantly lowballed the funds reserved for asbestos disease claims."
The corporation hasn't shown up before the inquiry yet, though the final report is expected by June 30.
The US banned asbestos mining back in 1966, followed by a ban on domestic manufacturing and sales of asbestos-based products in the mid-1980s. Even though the US, Australia, and Europe have put heavy restrictions on asbestos products, they’re still being used and manufactured quite extensively across the Asia-Pacific region.
Over the last 30 years, the amount of asbestos used in the Asia-Pacific skyrocketed, hitting a peak of over a million tonnes. Although usage in Asia has dipped by nearly a quarter since then, it's still sitting at a level four times higher than what we saw in 1960.
According to the US Geological Survey—the gold standard for global mineral production and usage data—their 2000 assessment noted that much of the world's remaining asbestos demand is concentrated in Asia.
"Back in 2000, the biggest consumers were Brazil, China, the former Soviet Union, India, Japan, and Thailand, making up over 90 percent of the world's estimated consumption," the report noted. "While consumption in Japan has gone down, usage in India, Indonesia, and Thailand has actually climbed over the last few years."
Because of this recent surge in consumption across the Asia-Pacific, we probably won't see asbestos-related illnesses hit their peak for several decades.
Back in 2000, Trowbridge Deloitte—the actuarial firm that advised Hardie in Australia and later the foundation—initially predicted that claims would peak in 2004. Fast forward two years, and their math changed: they now expect claims to peak in 2009 and keep rising through 2049.
"Claims keep piling up because the first wave of illness hit those with heavy exposure in mining, manufacturing plants, and sectors like shipping or power stations. The second wave involved people exposed through everyday tasks, like washing work clothes," explained Ken Fowlie, a partner at the law firm Slater and Gordon.
Since about a third of American homes built before 1985 contain asbestos cement sheeting, the recent DIY home renovation trend could be inadvertently exposing plenty of people to asbestos dust.
"We're now entering the third wave: people exposed to smaller amounts, like children playing near construction waste or homeowners breathing in dust while cutting old cement sheeting during renovations," Ken Fowlie added. "Honestly, we just don't know how many people are going to be affected." (END/2004)
Just got back from seeing my lung specialist, Dr. M. A. Southcott. She’s a professor who teaches students, too. When she knows I might be interested in a specific topic, she invites me to sit in on her lectures, especially when they cover asbestosis.
My situation dates back six years now. Things haven't gotten worse, but there's still no guarantee I won't develop mesothelioma or asbestosis... particularly given my history as a heavy smoker. The people passing away right now were exposed much more heavily than I was, and about ten years before my time. For me, dealing with partially calcified Pleural Plaque is enough; I'll take it as a win if my lungs don't start feeling like they're encased in plaster.
I'm sticking to checkups every six months, along with High Resolution CT scans.
Maybe I'll get lucky... but if not, there isn't much else anyone can do!
That’s not being positive... just being realistic.
Sunday Mail Reporter: Craig Clarke Translated by William Kovacic
I won't keep repeating what’s already happened. I'll just jump in with the latest updates as they come. The government promised to launch a full investigation into this whole mess here in the States. So far? Nothing. People have packed up and left Whyalla, just like they've walked away from mines all over the country. Honestly, nobody even knows the true death toll living in Southern Australia anymore. For the first time in a year, families are finally starting to reach out to the Sunday Mail.
Where does the data for Whyalla come from?
Gary Beckman had a hard time telling his wife, "I love you." He passed away in the hospital on April 23, 2004. He was 59 last month.
He passed away from Mesothelioma, just like everyone else. For the last three months, he couldn't even eat; he was in constant pain and struggling to breathe.
In the afternoon before he passed, he asked his wife if she knew where his wedding suit and shirt were. He wanted to be buried in them.
He left around 10:30 PM in really bad shape. Everyone knew it was the end. An ambulance took him to the hospital, where they ran blood tests and one last X-ray, then gave him a heavy dose of morphine to manage the pain.
He passed away very peacefully over the next five hours. His wife mentioned he had never looked quite as calm as he did in the moment he died.
Jamie Clark74, what do you think?
Euthanasia is a real thing, despite what those idiots believe—they seem to think people just drop dead for no reason!
How much would it take for that poor guy to die? Honestly, 500mg of morphine would probably be more than enough.
Just another victim here. For the rest of us, my advice from Winonin: stay positive—it might just help you heal.
If you hadn't tested positive, you wouldn't have even gotten sick.
Or am I just counting my blessings? If you don't go to the doctor, you won't even know you're sick.
=======================================
May 3, 2002. Had my six-month checkup today. The CT scan looks good—no changes or signs of things getting worse.
Today is my lung function test and capacity measurement. To be honest, I’m pretty nervous about smoking. Ever since my surgery for a two-level Laminectomy and spinal stenosis, things haven't been easy. Since they had to remove part of my lamina, I still deal with some lingering discomfort. Smoking always seems to trigger pain in my back, behind my lungs, and even up into my neck.
Realistically speaking, I’m doing better than ever!
traxdata said:He’s threatening her? She should bring a guy along to deal with him... If it were me, I’d ask a tough friend with a mean stare to tag along.😁 Just kidding.
I once had $15,000 at JP Morgan Chase, and the teller kept asking me to sign pension withdrawal forms five different times. He claimed the signatures didn't match. I’ve always been pretty tech-savvy with tablets, so I lost my cool a bit. I told him straight up that I have all my documentation right here and that I've been banking with them for 35 years, not just five. I told him if he didn't give me my money immediately, things were going to get ugly... I even reached into my coat pocket. He gave me the cash right then, and I thought that was the end of it. Then I went into another shop, and as I was leaving, six security guards and two cops were waiting for me. When I asked what the fuss was about, they said I looked physically imposing and dangerous. To make a long story short, I ended up in court for making threats. The judge actually said he might have done the same thing himself, as long as I hadn't threatened to kill him. He fined me $150, but those people at the bank were ruthless—that same night, they put my checks, paperwork, and a termination letter in the mail. Since I happened to be taking out the trash, I saw them do it; someone could have easily stolen my info.
It’s not a good idea. That’s just my experience with being a little too blunt and aggressive.
Here’s a quick little cheat sheet to help you get up to speed on all those unfamiliar terms regarding psoriasis—how it starts, what causes it, and how we actually treat it.
Anthralin—it's a topical treatment used to manage psoriasis.
Cyclosporine is an immunosuppressant used to dial back or soothe an overactive immune response within the body.
Cytokines are essentially a massive group of molecules that manage how different parts of the immune system talk to one another. Think of them as messenger molecules that carry biochemical signals to coordinate everything from local and systemic immune responses to inflammation, wound healing, and even blood cell production. So far, scientists have identified over 100 different types of cytokines.
Exfoliation—that whole process of peeling away the top layer of skin.
Erythrodermic psoriasis—it's basically psoriasis that hits much harder, defined by intense redness and heavy scaling across the skin.
Phototherapy—treating skin issues using artificial UV light sources.
DNA is essentially a collection of molecules carrying our biological blueprint—the very essence of who we are. This code is passed down from both parents to their children through various combinations.
Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA)—essentially the immune system's ID tag—is closely linked to what triggers psoriasis.
The immune system is essentially a biochemical defense network. Its job is to protect the body from microorganisms—like infections—and other foreign invaders that could trigger illness.
An infection is basically when microorganisms invade your body, which can lead to all sorts of different health issues.
Inverse psoriasis presents itself as smooth, inflamed patches on the skin.
Clinical trials involve research into innovative treatment methods, adjusting dosages for existing medications, and developing advanced screening techniques for early disease detection.
The Koebner phenomenon is essentially when psoriasis flares up right where the skin has been injured, infected, or otherwise irritated. It’s a bit frustrating—basically, any skin trauma can act as a trigger, either signaling the very start of psoriasis or causing a brand-new lesion to pop up within an area that's already affected.
Think of a costimulatory signal like this: sometimes, just one signal isn't enough to get the job done. To fully trigger an immune response after an injury or infection, cells often need a second "handshake"—a costimulatory molecule—to complete the message being passed from one cell to another.
Chronic—meaning long-term, something that persists over an extended period.
Is it a lesion, a wound, or just skin damage?
Methotrexate is one of those drugs doctors typically turn to when dealing with moderate to severe psoriasis.
Non-contagious—basically, a condition or change that doesn't spread from one person to another.
Oral issues.
A placebo is basically just a pharmacologically inactive substance. It holds no actual medicinal value; it's primarily used as a "control" method during clinical trials.
Plaque — a raised, thickened patch on the skin.
Plaque psoriasis—this is the most common type you’ll encounter. It shows up as raised, red patches of skin covered by silvery-white scales.
Medical history: a collection of details gathered from patients or other sources—like family members—regarding their past medical background and current health status.
Predisposition: essentially, the likelihood or genetic tendency toward developing a disease.
Guttate psoriasis—it’s that specific type where you end up with these small, red spots scattered across your skin that look just like tiny droplets.
Psoriatic arthritis is a genetic autoimmune condition that hits fewer than 10% of people living with psoriasis. It tends to affect both large and small joints, and you'll often see it linked to nail changes on the hands and feet.
Pustular psoriasis—it’s a type of psoriasis marked by those small, pus-filled blisters that typically pop up on your hands and feet.
Retinoids are vitamin A derivatives used to treat all sorts of skin conditions.
Steroids—short for corticosteroids—are powerful medications designed to suppress the immune response, though they’re also quite effective at calming down itchy skin.
Topical – referring to a specific spot on the skin.
UV radiation is just one part of the sun's spectrum. It features shorter wavelengths that can actually help treat psoriasis, though it’s also the main culprit behind those painful sunburns if you stay out too long.
Psoriasis vulgaris is a skin condition categorized as an erythematosquamous dermatosis. It shows up as inflamed, reddish patches with sharp borders that vary in size, usually covered by silvery-white scales. Beyond just the skin, it can affect the nails and even cause joint damage. Most people start seeing symptoms between their 20s and 30s. We don't fully understand the exact cause yet, though it seems to be a mix of genetic predisposition and various triggers—things like stress, pregnancy, certain medications, or external factors like chemical or physical irritants. On a histological level, you'll see increased mitotic activity in the basal layer cells, which speeds up epidermopoiesis. This results in a thickened epidermis topped with an immature, flaky stratum corneum that peels easily. Clinically, you'll see raised, erythematous lesions caused by inflammatory infiltration, all topped off with those characteristic silvery-white scales.
Michael Fox46 said:Look, if you're eating it for dinner, that shouldn't be an issue—it's not like there's some rule saying you can't eat after 6 PM. Some people have dropped 20 or even 30 pounds just by having this for lunch. I personally have it every single day, though I still eat other things in small portions. I managed to lose 10 pounds; I went from 175 down to 165. Honestly, at my size, you might not notice the weight change right away.😁
When you're losing weight, you really have to track both the scale and your measurements, but if someone is around 185 pounds, the scale doesn't tell the whole story. You definitely notice the difference in inches more clearly.
**For example, a guy with a bit of a gut might drop 10 pounds and see about 2 inches come off his waist. If he drops 20 pounds, that could be closer to 4 inches. The way clothes fit tells you much more than the scale ever will.
I live in Southern Australia, which is easily the driest continent on the planet. I’m in an area where finding decent water is a constant struggle. Back when I was living in Whyall, 242 miles we relied on pumped water delivered through massive one-meter diameter pipes, feeding into huge backup concrete tanks.
Almost every house had its own rain barrel connected to a galvanized steel or concrete tank holding over 1,000 liters. I've been drinking rainwater here for 34 years. It's basically distilled water at this point since I boil everything before making coffee or prepping pet food. The only thing I do is run my drinking water through a filter that strips out 99.9% of all minerals and everything else.
I wouldn't say I'm sentimental, but this is one of those things that makes me feel a bit nostalgic... The water... back home near Arlington National Cemetery in Washington, D.C., it came from Mount Rainier, or from the wells out in the Midwest.
Now, the water in Adelaide isn't terrible, but it's way too heavily treated. We really only use it for brushing our teeth, because you need those minerals for dental health. Plus, we deal with strict restrictions on how much water we can actually use.
And honestly, there are bigger problems than just dealing with rainwater or distilled water!
Living in a senior living community gives me a front-row seat to seeing what many older folks deal with. For instance, I know an 87-year-old woman who just had total elbow replacement surgery—pretty much like getting a new hip. Her husband, who’s 90 now, is currently battling kidney cancer... they've opted for radiation, though it's hard to say how that'll turn out. That same gentleman actually had a successful prostate surgery back when he was 85.
Your Grandpa was quite mobile and active for his age, which definitely helps with the recovery process. Medical care for seniors has come such a long way lately. It’s not unusual to hear someone say, "I'm only 62 and just had spinal surgery three weeks ago." In my own case, doctors told me I wasn't a great candidate for anesthesia... but I made it through just fine.
Wishing you nothing but the best and lots of luck with Grandpa!
"Imagine if there was a way to inhale or ingest something that, for five or six hours a day, dissolved the walls between us. Something that bridged the gap between individuals, uniting us in a radiant surge of affection—making every part of life feel not just worth living, but profoundly beautiful and meaningful. And if this transcendent, life-altering substance allowed us to wake up the next morning feeling perfectly clear-headed and physically sound... then I think all our troubles would vanish. It wouldn't just be about finding a new thrill; it would solve everything and turn the world into a literal paradise." ALDOUS HUXLEY 1894 - 1963
Added after checking the index /only index 40. The center info is in American, but the tests themselves are in English. Sorry about that—I'll try to track down something else!
In your situation, I wouldn't call it "hypochondria." You're already seeing a psychiatrist, which is a great step. It might just be that you haven't found the right medication cocktail yet, or perhaps what you're on isn't quite hitting the mark.
I know what I'm talking about. At 62, I can tell you that twelve years ago, I dealt with major depression, anxiety, panic attacks, and a personality disorder.
My take? Anxiety seems to be the root cause here. Be completely honest with your doctor. Tell them exactly what you're feeling, and if it feels necessary, ask about adjusting your prescription.
Case No. 68... an official asbestos victim in Whyalla... passed away three weeks ago after three years of agonizing pain and fading hope. He stopped his medication 14 days ago and died in great distress, just like so many others. He passed on March 26, 2004... he didn't live to see his 60th birthday, which was today, April 4, 2004.
He passed away at home, surrounded by his youngest daughter and his wife. He leaves behind a wife, three children, and four grandchildren.
Retired electrician Mr. Geoff Pop (whom I wrote about in a previous post) once said: "As electricians back when we were learning the trade, we used to make little clumps out of asbestos (just scooping up the dust from the floor)" and we’d play around with them, said 59-year-old Geoff Pop, who is now dying of cancer.
Mrs. Wendy Pop says that Geoff really wanted to see a full investigation into the asbestos issue... but he didn't make it. He wanted to ensure that people suffering from asbestos disease receive better compensation. His final wish was for a thorough investigation into this whole situation, because neither the state nor the federal government seems interested. It's estimated there could be as many as 800 deaths caused by asbestos in Whyalla alone—a town that employed about 20,000 people over a 37-year period.
And what about the victims from the construction sites, the steel mills, and all those other industries? We are talking about one small town here, with a population that peaked at around 36,000.
BP claimed they weren't aware of the dangers of asbestos, even though medical evidence has existed since the 1920s, but it seems they were just hiding it.
In the meantime, my six-month CT scan and check-up are coming up next month, and I’ve only just returned home from my back surgery.
As always, I’m taking a Realistic approach... what will be, will be.
Geoff was such a positive person. When I first got sick 12 years ago, he gave me some advice: "Stay positive... I'm lucky I'm not sick like you." Unfortunately, many diseases don't care how positive you are... and my friend Geoff is gone.
If you’re carrying some extra weight, losing it doesn't have to be a massive financial burden. You can actually make significant progress on your own without breaking the bank. It really just comes down to following a few simple rules.
Cutting back on greasy snacks and sugary treats.
Make sure you get at least 30 minutes of walking in every single day.
If we’re going to start putting weight on ourselves, we might as well take things slow. We’re losing weight steadily—about a pound or a pound and a half a week.
If the patient is younger, they can start with slow walking and then gradually increase their pace. Jog or run whenever you feel like it.
I’m 46, and I managed to drop 15 pounds just by walking. That was it. 3.1 miles Heading home from work. 3.1 miles Went for a jog afterward. I went for a run every single day for about four to six months. 9.3 miles Once a week, maybe half the time. Marathons... and here I am, someone who's already dealt with a failed surgery. Back pain.
Don't bother with all those diet pills or fad supplements. Just go for a walk instead. Jogging. It’s a solid option if you're looking to get moving, but... I’ll say it again: walking is the simplest thing there is, and every doctor recommends it. Regarding older adults: my wife is 67 and walks about three miles every day.3.1 miles ,a She’s dealing with spinal degeneration and some pretty intense pain... even a few weeks back. The neurologist said they're doing everything they can.
On 03/23/04, I got a call to show up at the hospital at 8:30 instead of 7:00 this Wednesday, 03/24/04. At this point, I’m pretty sure nothing else can step in to stop this surgery.
I was told they’ll be performing the procedure with me in a kneeling position. It’s interesting—I think I know a fair amount about medical processes, but this is my first time hearing about kneeling for a Lumbar Laminectomy or lumbar canal stenosis. It likely makes things easier and safer for them; usually, you see patients lying on their stomach or side.
But honestly, that’s the least of my worries. I know my Neurosurgeon is one of the best out there, both for brain work and spine issues.
I hope to check back in within the next seven days after a successful surgery. I know the rehab will take some time, but fortunately, I have all the time in the world right now. There's no rush to get back to work since I'm officially retired.
Best wishes to everyone. I hope you all stay healthy and well.
I've been on major antidepressants for 13 years now. I started out on Prozac, cycled through about five or seven others, and currently I'm on Paxil/ paroxetine, 20mg twice a day. There are plenty of side effects, but I can't function without them.
As for Valium/Xanax/Diazepam, I've been using those for 34 years just to help with muscle tension.
I also take a higher dose of Rivotril/clonazepam—around 2.5 to 3 mg daily—to manage my anxiety. Everything mentioned above was prescribed by my Psychologist, and I'll likely be taking them for the rest of my life since my situation is pretty complex.
Most people might recover within two years through group therapy, but we're all different, and it really depends on what caused our condition.
Modern medications are much better than the older ones, usually with fewer side effects. Ideally, you wouldn't need meds at all if you could manage through positive thinking and building up your confidence to leave anxiety behind, but that doesn't work for everyone.
And please, never feel like this is your fault. In the US, roughly one in every four or five people deals with depression, anxiety, or panic attacks.
Here’s a little more data from Australia. Australia has a population of 20 million, and 4.7 million people are on the donor registry. During Donor Week (similar to when that famous cricketer passed away and donated his organs to six different people), 20,000 people signed up as donors.
Right now, there are 1,800 Australians waiting on the transplant list. That includes 1,488 needing kidneys, 65 needing hearts, 110 for livers, and 124 for lungs.
Back in 2000, David Claridge, who was 58 at the time, received a new heart from a 22-year-old woman who had passed away due to brain complications; her organs were shared among six different recipients.
David received that heart just two weeks before doctors told him he wouldn't make it. He lives in Perth and is planning to 1.7 miles ride his bike all the way to Adelaide, where the donor was from, just to meet the donor's mother.
Spent about three hours at the hospital today. I had an EKG, chatted with the surgeon, met the anesthesiologist, and spoke with the nurse who manages post-op care. Luckily, I brought a comprehensive list of my medical history and medications. I’m quite a complex case with several overlapping health issues.
My EKG came back clear, but my other conditions put me in a high-risk category for anesthesia. Honestly, though, I'm not worried.
That's how they handle everything now—they get all the pre-op checks out of the way beforehand. You basically head straight to surgery from home after prepping and disinfecting yourself there. You check in at the hospital at 7:00 AM, say your goodbyes since no one can stay with you, and then just sit quietly and try to relax until it's time.
At this point, I'm just hoping nothing unexpected comes up—like an emergency surgery elsewhere—that might cause a delay. My doctor is actually heading out on vacation just two weeks after my scheduled procedure.
So, I'm focusing on all the preparations now and hoping for the best.