Ok, well, *that* was no fun. Turns out keto interferes with anesthesia, which I only found out trying to figure out why IV benzoes were so. Not. Calming.

Plus I flunked. They can't replace the disk above L5, they have to fuse both above and below. Too degraded.

So 2 surgeries: Monday 24th 2 fusions, L4L5 and L5S1, from the front. Weds 26th 2nd op to add the stabilizing Frankensteinesque rods and screws in the back.

So Thurs next I go to DC, Friday preop stuff, Mon-Fri in hosp in Reston (any NoVA cattters?), then I hope rehab for a bit.

Preop stuff includes some fun things like talking to anesthesia and nutrition (it is going to be *really* hard to be keto on their menu but otherwise I will lose my temper with the nurses and then try to die with all that available medical stuff).

Woot! End in sight!