When my doctor gave me an admission slip and said to be sure to bring it when I checked in to the hospital for my surgery, I stuck it in a safe place. I also happened to mention it to a friend who just had surgery, and she said, “He didn’t tell you to go do the admission paperwork beforehand?” Nope, didn’t say anything about that, and he was speaking in English.

So Wednesday a missionary co-worker (fluent in Spanish) went with me for the pre-admission process. The helpful hospital worker took my “admission slip” from the doctor, confirmed the surgery with someone on the phone, asked a bunch of questions, sent me to the caja to pay my deposit, and then gave me what I hope is my real admission paper.

I probably could have managed on my own, but it was definitely reassuring to have my friend with me the few times I couldn’t understand a question.

In other news, our health insurance only took four business days to approve my surgery, including correcting the form so that I was the patient and not Scott. I wonder if they even looked at my test results?  I don’t know why my other friend’s approval took two weeks; maybe there’s a different protocol for her surgery than mine. But what a relief to have the approval and not have to reschedule the surgery.

So, as far as I know, I’m ready for the surgery Tuesday morning. I’m to check in at 3 p.m. Monday. I’ll have a bunch of screening tests (blood tests, chest x-ray, EKG, etc.) and appointments with a family physician and an anesthesiologist, all to make sure I’m healthy enough for surgery. An IV will be started to hydrate me, since I won’t be able to eat or drink for 12 hours before the surgery. I’ll spend the night in the hospital and have surgery in the morning.

At least that’s what I think is going to happen. We’ll see if there’s anything else 1) someone didn’t mention because they assumed I already knew it or 2) I didn’t understand.

It’s an adventure, right?