Surgery Prep is Complete.

After a LONG day visiting Duke for surgery prep, this is what we know:

• The procedure is scheduled for 3/12.  Chris will need to arrive at about 5:30AM, and the procedure will begin at about 8:30AM.  She will get a call with the exact times on 3/11.
• There will be 3 surgeons involved, and each will only be working on Chris.  That is, they have no other patients or appointments scheduled for the day.
• Because Duke is a teaching hospital, there may be residents in the room observing, but none are allowed to participate in the procedure. 
• The procedure will last 6-8 hours, with the clock starting at the first incision.
• Duke has a paging system that will provide me (Dave) with updates from the doctors during the procedure.  In reality, I don't know how often, or how much information they will pass on, but I will make an effort to update this blog during the day if I get meaningful updates.
• Chris is supposed to be up and walking the morning after surgery.
• Chris will stay in the hospital for 2-14 days.  Really, that's the range we were told.  The whisper number from the nurses is 3-5 days.
• Chris will be allowed solid food immediately, and have no diet restrictions.