Good morning from the surgical area at Brigham & Women’s Hospital in Boston. Less than two hours until surgery begins. Can’t believe it’s been 4.5 months since my diagnosis. Lots of emotions for sure.

Didn’t have the best night sleep last night (not the worst either) as you might have expected. Spent most of the day yesterday relaxing and closed it out with an ice cream with Aimee and Lex. Good end to the day! This morning Aimee and I got up early and enjoyed a long walk to get the blood flowing and to just spend some time together before we drove in to Boston.

It was great to enjoy the morning quiet, holding my wife’s hand, with the sound of a soaring hawk the only sound breaking the silence. Before coming inside I stopped and bent over to smell the dew on the freshly cut lawn. When’s the last time you’ve done that? It was totally worth it.

So now I wait to get prepped for a long day ahead (hoping I can request some ‘add-ons’ this morning. A nice set of 6-pack abs seems fair). Today won’t be as long for me as I will be asleep for it but I know it will be hard for my family friends and I feel for them. But I got this. Anxious for sure but also excited to get past this step and move on.

This is the next challenge laid out for me and I’m ready. Today is going to be a great day!