Leaving for Europe tomorrow...

[jessmith07]

...and all I can say is WOW! My husband, the seasoned world traveler of 25+ years, just laughs and says, "You have this shell-shocked look in your face". But the fact of the matter is, I've never been outside of the United States (unless you count the time I crossed over into Nogalas, Mexico for about an hour, just to say I did). It's astonoshing be driving around and have no clue what the signs mean. Or that when the speedomoter on the taxi says 180, its not MILES per hour. Oh, and you can FORGET nutrition contents on packaging in the grocery store!!! Even if it was there, unless you're fluent in German, you'd have no clue what the heck it meant!

Tomorrow is Sunday, (well, actually, today is Sunday as it's going on 3 am and ~ BIG SURPRISE ~ I can't sleep) and I really have no desire to leave the safety of this room. Even when I finally managed to get my computer connected to the internet...guess what? My yahoo home page was WHAT?!?!?! IN GERMAN!!! And there was no way around it that I could find! I know that this will probably be very comical one day, and probably is hysterical to those of you that have already been through this, but HOLY CRAP! I planned, I prepared, I made lists, I packed, I asked questions and I read other peoples questions...I only forgot 2 small things, and WHOA! I TOTALLY wasn't prepared for the culture shock! I think it wouldn't be a big deal if I'd ever been out of my home country before, but for a "virgin trip" this is a whammie...having to realize that not only am I traveling to a strange place for a strange surgery by a strange team of doctors that I've never met before, but guess what...I'M GOING TO BE A FOREIGNER! Don't get me wrong, the people are WONDERFUL, it's just a strange sensation...I'm on the flip side of the coin and I don't think that I'll ever be able to look at foreigners in our country again without genuine compassion and admiration for them and how difficult it must be.

Anyway...I suppose I should try to get some sleep...

I'll keep you posted. Hopefully I won't spend the day tomorrow (well, later today) hiding in the closet sucking my thumb Hubby and I had a wonderful dinner with Mark M. and he introduced us to another of Dr. B's patients who's 2 weeks post op and doing phenominal. I also met Katherine (she's next door and doing great) and Cathy (treefrog) is just down a couple of flights of stairs. I must admit, I felt quite euphoric after dinner, but the panic monster began setting back in within a couple of hours and now Hubby is sweetly snoring and I'm...well...I'm not snuggled up to him where I should be.

So, maybe I should just get that way...I do love that man!

Good night all...
Jess

[dridobits]

I am thinking of you and wishing you the very best!!!!!

[dshobbies]

Jess,

Your post made me smile. I remember feeling everything you're feeling now. It's easy for me to say fear not but that 'shell shock' expression is real. You planned and planned for the unknown. You had all your ducks in a row but forgot to include your brain

Yes, when you get home you'll look back and smile too but that's a little ways off right now. Try to take your thumb out of your mouth and relax. Think about all of us who are smiling at the memory. Think about that man you love so much who is there to support the woman he loves. With him you can do anything. Go ahead and cuddle for you won't be able to for awhile.

BTW, I agree with you about immigrants. I now look at them differently too.

My thoughts are with you, Dale

[runner]

Jess,

Think calming thoughts. I know it can be overwhelming but soon you will be on the way to recovery.

Runner

[Cindylou]

Jess, wondering how you are. When you are able to post please do. We are all thinking and praying for you. One nice piece in your favor is having all the Americans around. That can be a huge comfort in a strange land. When I was over there a couple years ago, there was not 1 other American (besides my loving husband) in that hospital. Anita had already left. No Mark. No other American patients to fellowship with, and that is huge. So take advantage of any companionship of your fellow Americans. And know we are also here for you, back home.

My best to you,

Cindylou

[Justin]

Hey CL,

I spoke with Cathy (treefrog) yesterday and she said that Jess was having some trouble post-op with the anesthesia and pain medication. Apparently, she was not heavily medicated before surgery and this is probably playing into her symptoms. They both had surgery the same day, May 26th, and are rooming together. They do not have Internet in their room, so that is probably why there are no updates.

I thought I would pop in and give everyone an update.

[Cindylou]

Thank-you Justin.