I went back to see Dr Lim today, for the results of my echo. He said that my heart murmur is caused by noisy blood ("turbulent flow"), and is nothing to do with faulty valves or heart disease. That's a relief.

It's also nice to know that my blood fats, cholesterol, blood sugars etc are within mormal ranges. Guess that suggests that our family diet is fair (apart form my portions being too BIG!) LOL!!! I just worry too much...

Sooooooo: I am good to go. In 48 days.

Karen from ESV said I could have surgery on Aug 29th (Tues), Oct 5th (Thurs) or Oct 9th (Mon). Pity there was nothing available in mid-Sept as I had hoped, because August date is too close (only 2 weeks away!!) and would be bery stressful and inconvenient, with Mike and both sets of parents all away during that week. Plus it would be a juggle for work days, and I'd only be 2 weeks post-op when we go to the snow. Pre-op diet would also be challenging, with the large number of parties we have in the calendar this month!

At first, the Oct dates seemed a bit too far out, however, on balance, Oct 5th is the best, as it fits in the best with everyone's work, holiday and social schedules. It's far enough before Christmas season so I can relax that I'll not be in recovery mode during the festive rush. Plus, we can keep our calendar free where we need to, so as not to put undue pressure on pre- and post-op diet etc. It also gives us all five weeks to prepare - spiritually, mentally, physically, and financially...

I plan to start pre-op preparation as soon as the Optifast arrives.

Here's the strategy for the 5 weeks I have pre-op:

• 3 weeks - 2 meals Optifast, normal dinner
  
• 2 weeks - full pre-op Optifast

In the next five weeks, I also need to:

• pray and to prepare my road to recovery and success with the Lord's help,
  
• organise for annual leave during post-op week,
  
• reduce credit card down to zero, so the hospital bills can go straight onto it,
  
• clean out and restock the pantry and freezer,
  
• plan post-op diet for recovery weeks - for myself and family,
  
• rearrange and recommit to my exercise and fitness schedules,
  
• renew gym membership (due to expire on 25th Sept)
  
• update my workout plan with the gym (update the current long plan to suit our home equipment, and add various short routines to target different areas - abs, arms, butt, legs etc),
  
• finalise as many large work projects as possible,
  
• finish the spring-time gardening jobs,
  
• buy post-op presents for Mike & James,
  
• let Paul know dietary needs for the wedding,
  
• plan one or two post-op outings - both child free recovery days and special family days.

*********************STOP PRESS*************************

Wow - a Truly amazing day - my Dad called (they are in Carnarvon today) to say that the has got a redundancy package from his work, and therefore will be retired within a week of them coming home from their trip - by Friday October 6th (day after my banding!)!!! Hip Hip Hooray!!! It's exactly how we've all hoped and prayed his retirement would be for him for years. After all his years working there, he deserves to go out with the bonus of a redundancy package.

With Dad retiring, and me getting banded - that WILL be a notable week in our family's life!

Mike & I will organise a surprise retirement party for him - late October looks good for that at this stage. That will give us something very happy to look forward to - and something to distract us from the banding and the adjustments it will bring. Ooooh goody, a party!! Even better - a free DAD!!!