Today was spent preparing myself mentally and physically for tomorrow’s surgery. I had intended to clean the house and do the laundry before my procedure, but the Good Hubby beat me to it. Yesterday, he washed the bedding, did the laundry, vacuumed, dusted, and cleaned the air filters while I was at work putting in a good 11 hours tying up loose ends and giving my replacement last minute instructions before her 4-week solo stint.

So, instead, I spent the morning relaxing and garnering my strength for tomorrow. We had a few errands to run around the neighborhood and also on the agenda was eating a hearty lunch and watching “Blades of Glory.”

Spinach & Artichoke Dip

So, we ended up at Ruby Tuesday. I figured, if I wasn’t going to be able to eat solids until after my surgery on Friday afternoon, I was going to make my last meal a good one.

Premium Aged Sirloin Steak, medium rare

Unfortunately, my appetite hasn’t been up to par for the past week, probably due to my anxiety over the impending procedure. I wasn’t able to finish the 9 oz. steak, which normally wouldn’t have been a problem for me. It may not be a bad idea to stay with the modest portions anyway. Over the past few years, I’ve been straying from the mantra I’ve minded most of my life: “hara hachi bu” (eat until you’re 80% full). It’s time to make that a priority again.

To put myself in a good frame of mind, we went to see the matinee showing of “Blades of Glory.” I love Jon Heder’s movies and I think Will Ferrell is a riot. I’ve been wanting to see this movie since I saw the preview. With all of the violence, brutality, and evil that we’re inundated with — on the news, on TV, and in the movies, it’s so refreshing to sit down and enjoy a non-raunchy, relatively family-friendly movie where you can laugh and forget your troubles for about 90 minutes. My favorite genre of late has been the “stupid comedy,” and “Blades of Glory” did not disappoint. It was lighthearted and fun, just what I needed the day before surgery. Now I am mentally prepared. Yes, it sounds crazy, but it works.

Magnesium Citrate – not tasty

But then I had to come home and drink 10 oz. of magnesium citrate — better known as a saline laxative. According to my pre-op instructions, I was to drink the entire bottle, then refrain from eating solid foods. I’m still able to drink clear liquids up until midnight — and believe me, I will be taking advantage of that up until the very last minute. You know me and my dehydration phobia…

I was a bit concerned since it was nearly 8:00 pm and nothing happened yet. It had been about 5 hours since I drank the laxative, but nothing. Then, around 8:40, it hit me suddenly and I had to sprint to the bathroom. On the way there, Hubby remarked, “I guess it’s working now?” Oh boy, was it working. I found myself sequestered in the bathroom for a half hour after that.

I suppose the bowels are now officially purged, since my stomach has since calmed down. After I finish writing this entry, I’ll pack my Hello Kitty backpack with 2 novels, a sudoku book, my iPod, miscellaneous toiletries, and my old lady muumuu to come home in. I suspect that wearing pants might be a little ambitious so soon after the surgery. I’m still debating whether to bring my laptop or not. Imagine, blogging, live from my hospital room. I have the technology, I just don’t know if I want to bother with the extra baggage. Decisions, decisions.

Well, off to pack and drink another glass of cranberry juice. I need to pack in those liquids. I only have 2 hours and 14 minutes left before the fasting begins.