Hi Oliver,
A big Aussie welcome to Susan's family. It's good of you to drop in and say "Hi". Hope you like it here, and you stay for a while.
There is a mountain of information, resources and friendship waiting for you here, you just need to jump in start talking and ask any question you like. You're quite safe here and we are very accepting.
Sounds like you've done your homework very well. You have a good plan. Someone obviously told you the secret to life. If you fail to plan, you plan to fail.
Hope your surgery goes well. I see no reason to believe it won't. Embrace and enjoy the journey
Looking forward to hearing more of your story in time to come, but in the meantime, be safe, well and happy.
Lotsa huggs
Catherine