34 days to go. St. Louis last week went well. I had MANY pre-op tests. I had a MRI, a CT Scan, an EKG, lots of x-rays, and plenty of blood work. All tests came back with good results. I am in good health; a prime candidate for surgery. We met with Dr. Lenke before heading home last Wednesday. He confirmed that he will have to fuse my spine from T-4 all the way down to my sacrum. He was originally hoping he could stop at L-4, but the tests showed by last disc already had started degenerating and I had some arthritis in it. So they will have to take the rods all the way down to my sacrum. :( So after being home the past week, I've really been second guessing myself. Am I doing the right thing? I've lived with this for 33 years, what's another 30 or 40?? Do I REALLY need this surgery?? And after spending a lot of time with God, asking him these questions, he has "answered" them. Ever since I asked God these questions I have had some of the worst back pain yet. Some days, the pain almost sends me to my knees! So when that happens I have to kind of chuckle, just knowing that God is reassuring me that I am doing the right thing. But now that he's been sending me these signs for over a week now, I'm getting irritated! I get it, God!! Enough is enough!! haha :) I sit at my kitchen table tonight, wondering about things; like what does the OR room look like? What will I look like after surgery? I am told my face will be swollen due to the amount of time I am on my face and at the angle my body will lie for 7 hours in the OR. I wonder how my 4 hour car ride home will be. How will I go to the restroom while on I-44, if it's just me and Travis. He can't go into a ladies room to assist me and I can't go into a man's --or would I EVER WANT to! Ewww!! Gross!!! I'm sure my wonderful sister, Chloe would just LOVE to help him get me home. I'm sure that's what every graduating senior wants to do over their summer after high school graduation! Right! All joking aside, she actually has volunteered to come home with us and help transport me. She has offered to come to the house and stay with me too. My mom will take off work several days and come sit with me. I'll have plenty of help at home. So many people have offered to help with the kids (which I will be calling you soon to set up those days!) My good friend, Julie Beatty has set up an awesome website at mealtrain.com to help coordinate meals for our family after we get home. And as I sit here tonight looking at the website, tears flood my eyes. I am just amazed at the number of people that have already signed up. I am in awe at the number of people that are willing to help us. It might be just a meal to you, but to me, it's a big deal! THANK YOU! ALL of you! THANK YOU for your generosity! Thank you for your prayers and thoughts! I know God will take care of me and get me through this. We started a Caring Bridge site this week. If you aren't familiar with it, it's a website designed for people with loved ones in the hospital or with some sort of medical need. Family members can update it as often as they'd like to keep everyone informed about the patient. Travis and my sister will be updating it after May 30. You can view it at http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/tiffanyfink If you are interested in the mealtrain website you can visit it at http://www.mealtrain.com/view/?id=xQvOeEJh6Jg%3d You will need to set up an account and a user name and password.

Pre-Op Appt

We are heading to St. Louis today for 2 fun filled days of tests. I will have several x-rays, an EKG, a MRI, CT Scan, blood work and a few other pre-op tests today and tomorrow before seeing my doctor, Dr. Lenke tomorrow.
Please pray for safe travels. Thanks!