Surgeries and the sort

I went to the doctor today about my cervical rib a.k.a. "spare rib." I'm officially having surgery on Monday, December 15.

This is something that occurs in about 1 in 200 people. I need to have it removed because it can cause significant nerve damage and/or problems with my blood vessels. These problems could range from thrombosis (blood clot) to an aneurysm (dilation of the blood vessel). Needless to say, it needs to be taken care of now rather than later. The longer I wait, the greater the chance that this will cause bigger problems somewhere down the line.

I'm nervous, though. I've never had a major surgery done before. Then again, most people in their 20s haven't had any surgeries (other than wisdom teeth extractions), so I guess I'm in the majority there. I'm pretty sure it will go well, but I always worry about that which I cannot control.

After the doctor's appointment today -- which had the quickest in-and-out time of all my visits -- my mom and my grandma and I went to Cracker Barrel for lunch. I was talking about something at one time, and my mom looked at me and said, "You're rambling, are you nervous?" I just grinned and said, "Nooo...maybe." Obviously my nervousness shows. I just hope I don't start freaking out too much over the next two weeks. I have one more week of classes and then finals. I really want to get all As this semester, and I'm sure that worrying will distract me from that if I let it. That means that I can't let it get to me enough to distract me, which, with me, is easier said than done.

Just thinking about it makes me hurt. Of course, I'm mental that way. That also makes me worry about the scar. I have a scar on my right hand from a cyst that I had removed when I was maybe eight years old, and I can hardly stand to touch that part of my hand. I hope that I won't be that weird with this scar. If I am, I don't see how I'll be able to wear shirts or seat belts or necklaces. Right now, I just can't stand to have people touch the area where the bone protrudes because it feels really odd. I can't describe it really, but I know that it feels strange, almost tingly.

Anyway, I think I'm rambling again because of my nerves. Have a happy Thanksgiving!

Until next time...