O you of double names, I'm sorry to hear that you need this done, but it sounds like they know what to do. As you say, it beats the alternative. Please get this done, take a long leisurely time to recover (partial joke here) and then STAY healthy for a while. BTW-- you and i have something else in common if you recall, admiration of Maj. Gen. George Thomas. . . for some reason this morning (very boring meeting) I tried to sketch what might have happened if he had gone South. I see him as a corps commander in the Army of Northern Virginia (instead of Longstreet?) . . .but didn't get any further. What I'm trying to do here (pay no attention to the man behind the curtain) is give you something to think about other than your upcoming surgery. I will pray for you. PETE