July 6, 2010 Adventure starts BEFORE the birthday!

The day started very early. I had no food or water since 10pm Sunday night to prepare for my ultrasound. I got to Methodist extremely early and checked in and made it to Radiology. My technician's name Was Bart...could that be more perfect. There was mood lighting...is that right, mood lighting?Then he told me to remove my shirt. After he came to and accepted my apology for the black eye, we started my ultrasound.

The gel was very warm, unexpected , as was the touch of an ultrasound tech voice at 7:45am. For 20 minutes, Bart calmly told me to breathe in and breathe out. We finished and he pushed me out the door towards fate. My anticipation was jamming blood through my veins faster than my wife can smoke a cigarette outside in a blizzard. I coursed my way through the hospital maze to make it to the Bariatric Center at Methodist. Everyone is so helpful and welcoming, like a secret club. I was checked in and ended up being so incredibly early that I waited over an hour to see the Surgeon.

Dr. Thomas Jones is an unassuming man at first glance. Shorter than his name suggested, made up on experience and demeanor. He made me completely calm from the very first words, "Let's fix you". He sat down and got to know me and asked me questions rather than see me as a spot on a meat packing line. Dr. Jones joked and laughed, got serious when needed, and finally; after two plus years and especially the last 7 months it all came down to; "So, when do you wanna do this?" I didn't respond at first. Yesterday was all that was in my mind. Yesterday, I was just Christopher Seiple, the prisoner in his own body. Now someone was holding my key to the rest of my life and I locked up. Finally, after what seemed like a lifetime, I said "As soon as possible Doc, as soon as your schedule allows".

I have my day. I know the roadmap for the next few month. I meet with my Boss at work to discuss the 3 weeks I will need off on Wednesday. Tonight, Lisa and I will discuss with the kids what to expect. In between all those hours, I will contemplate the change I'm about to go through. I will dream of better days when my image in my head will match what my eyes see. I can't wait to be the man I know is inside. And I will be out of the hospital in time for my birthday!