01 Nov 08 Tristan & Zachary first Halloween pumpkin carving experience
At first Tristan and Zachary were somewhat disinterested in the pumpkin ritual as they were distracted by that (evil) TV and some usual crapola on Teletoon or whatever….
Tristan and Zachary’s first experience at carving and prepping a pumpkin was fun; ok, granted, it may seem a bit late to experience their first pumpkin carving but such is life. 
They had seen my Ace compression bandage earlier in the day covering my leg from thigh to foot over the vein stripping incision bandages… (no they didn’t see those yet)..
Tags: Food, halloween, Kids, Love, pumpkin carving, surgery, Tristan, varicose veins, Zachary
21 Oct 08 Woohoo I got the call - surgery time! :) Fast after midnight, Chlorhexidine Gluconate in the AM and no pills
Wooooohooooo….. 10:00 a.m. tomorrow morning I go under the trusty scalpel (actually, phlebectomy hooks, I think)… and no food or drink after midnight tonight (I.E. let’s eat drink and be merry tonight!)
In the morning I get to wash with the Chlorhexidine Gluconate (4%) antiseptic soap…. at least on the leg destined for surgery, although I suppose I could use it all over (except eyes and ears as it can cause blindness)….
Tags: Health, surgery, varicose veins
20 Oct 08 Being anxious for surgery - sounds crazy but…
Well, even Tristan commented recently that I need to get this vascular surgery done with… (trust me, I want it more than anyone)…
So if all goes well this time around, by this time tomorrow night I should have received my phone call from the hospital surgery admissions office confirming what time I go in on Wednesday…
According to the doctor, despite it being quite a most severe case of vein stripping, I should be able to walk the day after. On the other hand, the amateur surgeon in me did some searching online, and apparently the day after it is recommended to ambulate the operated leg to prevent ulcers and bruising.
Tags: Health, surgery, Tristan, varicose veins
09 Oct 08 Pre-admission tests for vascular surgery to treat severe varicose veins
Well, I have to be AT the hospital in Montreal at 7:45 a.m. tomorrow morning to (once again) go through my pre-admission tests necessary before my vascular surgery. It lasts about 4 hours (most of it waiting, trust me) and involves multiple blood samples and also (of course) peeing in a cup.
Usually rush hour on a Friday morning in the Greater Montreal Area isn’t so bad, but I’ll be setting my alarm for 6am nonetheless.
I get to eat breakfast (yay) …
Hopefully this time I will actually get to the OR on surgery day (in less than 2 weeks!) and not be bypassed for more serious vascular surgery cases (ie… cardiovascular emergencies!)
Stay tuned for the most in-depth photo blog on varicose vein surgery you have ever seen on the net 
Tags: Health, surgery, varicose veins
