Finally got my date with Brassard!

[DrummerGirl]

November 23rd!  I just have this immense feeling of relief and happiness.  For those going through the process right now, it took exactly 3 weeks from the time I sent in the form and recommendations by email to get a date.

If anyone else on Susan's is going to be there around this time, I would love to meet you!  Now for the long, agonizing 5 1/2 month wait. 

[Jacqueline]

Congratulations! That must be such a relief.

I wish you luck and an easy journey.

With warm thoughts,

Joanna

[Laura_7]

Congratulations

[DrummerGirl]

Thanks!

I also want to thank ainsley and mrs izzy for all their help in answering all my questions over PMs.  I know I had a *lot* of them! 

[ainsley]

Wow!  Congrats, DrummerGirl!!!
Soooo happy for you.
Did you get a confirmation letter or just word from Suzanne of the date?
I am scheduled for Aug 31st and she told me I would get my confirmation letter in June.  I hope so, because I have paid the fee entirely and scheduled the time off with my employer.

Too bad we could not be there at the same time.     That would be great.

[Violet Bloom]

  I had my FFS there with Dr. Bensimon three weeks ago.  Although I only stayed one night I know you're going to like the hospital and the staff.  Overall it was a pretty smooth experience.  If you have any questions please let me know.

  Last November I was in Montreal for the FFS consultation and I met up with Mrs. Izzy to visit Myarkstir and Jenn_nb in the hospital who were both recovering first day post-op at the time.  They were doing remarkably well so you should not have any major trouble either.

  Now that I've made four trips to Montreal for various reasons, it kinda feels like a second home to me.  Living in Toronto means its a relatively short and painless train ride.  Who knows, maybe I'll make it out there in November again.  If I do I'll check up on you.

  Congrats also to Ainsley on getting your date!

[DrummerGirl]

@Ainsley Thanks again for all of your help!  I just "confirmed" by email with Suzanne.  She said she would send me the letter in September so that's basically 2 months before the date..  I'm pretty sure I remember reading that the whole confirmation letter thing is just to basically start a payment schedule.  Everyone I've talked to about it has said that the date that Suzanne emails you is the actual date of your surgery.  I'm probably going to do what you did and pay early to take advantage of the favorable exchange rates.  End of August...that's right around the corner.  I'm *so* happy for you!!!  Keep me apprised of how things go.

@Violet Bloom I'm really looking forward to going to Montreal, as it's a city I've always wanted to visit.  I'll most likely be going early to take in the atmosphere and sights.  I had actually thought about bringing my skates, but then I had a bad dream where I pulled my groin and couldn't have surgery.  So yeah...that's out.    I do plan on making a trip where I visit Montreal, Ottawa, and Toronto sometime though, and I'll bring my skates then.  Thank you for the comforting words.  I would definitely love to meet you if you happen to be there at the time.

[Sapphire87]

Congrats!!!!!

I'm just waiting to hear back from the office myself!!! sent in the questionnaire last week

[kittenpower]

Congratulations, and best wishes

[Violet Bloom]

@Violet Bloom I'm really looking forward to going to Montreal, as it's a city I've always wanted to visit.  I'll most likely be going early to take in the atmosphere and sights.  I had actually thought about bringing my skates, but then I had a bad dream where I pulled my groin and couldn't have surgery.  So yeah...that's out.    I do plan on making a trip where I visit Montreal, Ottawa, and Toronto sometime though, and I'll bring my skates then.  Thank you for the comforting words.  I would definitely love to meet you if you happen to be there at the time.

  It might have been just a tad early for the outdoor rinks to be ready by mid November.  If you somehow regain the motivation there's an unusual indoor year-round pleasure skating rink right downtown in a place with a few shops and a food court called ATRIUM LE 1000:

http://www.le1000.com/en/skate

  It's immediately off the corridors between the downtown train station and the metro.  Great if the weather is not cooperating with the other outdoor locations.  The one I really had my eye on though was this one in Parc du Mont-Royal:

http://montreal.about.com/od/seasonalattractions/a/beaver_lake.htm

  You'll be too early for that one this year but maybe in future during your 'whirlwind tour'.  I will note though that outside of skating you're probably going to appreciate the cities you mentioned much more when the weather is warmer.

  Hmmmm, it would be rather ironic if you couldn't have surgery on your groin because you just hurt your groin!  I also get the impression Izzy might not be up to skating, what with the cane and all, just in case you wanted to hang with her for a time and not leave her spectating.  She was at least keeping a decent walking pace when I was out and about with her the one afternoon.

  Hopefully we can meet-up some day.  Just let me know if your surgery date moves because that happened with one of the girls I was going to see on my trip last November.  Catching three out of four wasn't bad though!

[DrummerGirl]

Good call on the outdoor rinks!  I had originally planned everything for a January date and the November date caught me by surprise so I haven't adjusted everything in my brain yet.    Thank you for the links!  I played hockey for over 20 years, until my concussion symptoms got so bad I had to quit.  I also taught skating for many years, and skating is a passion of mine.  When I go places, I usually bring my skates and I try to skate at as many locations as possible.  I would also like to see some major junior games live.  I watch a bunch over the internet, but it's not really the same.  And of course I would love to visit the Hockey Hall of Fame.     Plus, I live in Florida now so I try to plan trips to places with snow. 

[ainsley]

@Ainsley Thanks again for all of your help!  I just "confirmed" by email with Suzanne.  She said she would send me the letter in September so that's basically 2 months before the date..  I'm pretty sure I remember reading that the whole confirmation letter thing is just to basically start a payment schedule.  Everyone I've talked to about it has said that the date that Suzanne emails you is the actual date of your surgery.  I'm probably going to do what you did and pay early to take advantage of the favorable exchange rates.  End of August...that's right around the corner.  I'm *so* happy for you!!!  Keep me apprised of how things go.

Well that is good to know!  I keep worrying about the conf. ltr. too much, I think. lol  I even talked with Dr. Brassard on the phone and he told me my date was in Aug., too.  I am just wanting it to all go smoothly and without any delays or hiccups, I guess. 

And, yes, the exchange rates are pretty nice right now.  Carpe Diem!

I had actually thought about bringing my skates, but then I had a bad dream where I pulled my groin and couldn't have surgery.  So yeah...that's out. 

I am like this, too.  I will not do anything to even come close to injuring myself. haha!  I make my teenage boys do everything out on our property.  I feel like a hand model walking around with them....can't damage the merchandise!  I also am over the top on my diet.  Not gonna gain weight or anything.  Drives my wife crazy!

Glad to help you, and thank you for the help back.  I will let you know how it goes all the way through. 

[Violet Bloom]

Good call on the outdoor rinks!  I had originally planned everything for a January date and the November date caught me by surprise so I haven't adjusted everything in my brain yet.    Thank you for the links!  I played hockey for over 20 years, until my concussion symptoms got so bad I had to quit.  I also taught skating for many years, and skating is a passion of mine.  When I go places, I usually bring my skates and I try to skate at as many locations as possible.  I would also like to see some major junior games live.  I watch a bunch over the internet, but it's not really the same.  And of course I would love to visit the Hockey Hall of Fame.     Plus, I live in Florida now so I try to plan trips to places with snow. 

  The one girl I mentioned I met there, Jenn_nb (nb=New Brunswick but living in Newfoundland now), appears to be a hockey fanatic, judging by the Twitter account she has linked from her Susan's profile:

https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php?action=profile;u=20431
https://twitter.com/Jenn_nf

  You should drop her a line seeing as she's had the 'Brassard experience', and then you can talk about hockey!  I've been meaning to ask her about her apparent participation in womens' hockey because I want to explore the possibility myself.  I learned to skate at age 6 and I've played house league or full-equipment shinny every year of my life since.  The idea of setting foot in a womens' league is scaring me to death though as I am still harboring 'original equipment', if you know what I mean.

  It might also be of interest that one of my cousins used to be a speed skater.

[ainsley]

DrummerGirl, I emailed Suzanne to ask about my confirmation letter and she said Josee sent it out last week.  So, based on that, I would guess they wait until you are 3 months or less from your surgery date and that is probably because they don't want you to get you labs done too early (and EKG if you are old like me ).  Just thought I would add that FYI.

82 days to go for me!

Your time will fly!  Next thing you know you will be like:   

[DrummerGirl]

Thanks for the info and encouragement!  I'll probably get my labs done around 3 months before my surgery date then.  That should be right around when you head to Montreal. 

Only 85 more days until I'm where you are now (82 days out).