I'm back in the Christ Hospital surgery waiting room, blogging from the iPad and hoping I don't have too many iPad related typos. Cathy just went back for surgery.  We had about two hours of prep before they rolled her down the hall to the OR.  She dressed in typical gown wear with some very fashionable tights to prevent embolism.  An IV was started with saline.  They checked her potassium since it was low prior to her biopsy.  We were very happy that it had gone up to 3.5 from 3.2.  Dr. Manders and the anesthesiologist feel comfortable with anything over 3.0, though.  The nurse gave her a sedative, then the anesthesiologist came in to insert the transvertebral pain pumps.  These devices consist of two regulators that are attached to a medicine supply. The regulators deliver the medicine directly to her spinal cord through two catheters placed about an inch and a half on either side of her spine. It works in a similar fashion as an epidural, but since it is between her shoulder blades she will be able to walk and will manage the pain in a very localized area.  We expect about two hours of mastectomy and two hours of reconstruction.  Cathy has been very brave, calm, confident, and predictably chatty throughout all of this.  She is a marvel.