greenman | Update on Rob's surgery

I picked up Rob & Dawn at 4:30 this morning and drove them to Illinois Masonic Hospital for Rob's surgery. We got there 1/2 an hour early, so Rob was one of the very first people on the list to check in for surgery today. They took him in and started getting him ready, then sent us off to the O.R. family waiting room. The original schedule had Rob going under the knife at 7am, but the surgeon came in at 8:15 or so and told us that they were running a little late, but that they'd get him in very soon, and that both procedures would take 5-6 hours or so, which was interesting since they'd originally quoted 6-8 hours. At 9:15, they called us in the waiting room and told us that they were just starting the sugery. So, he could be out anytime between 1pm and dinner time. Unfortunately, I don't expect them to give us any information between now and whenever they're done with him. I'll try and put in a further update as soon as I hear more.

He was in good spirits right up until the time they shoo'd us away, joking and making light. That could just be whistling in the dark, but before we checked him in, he'd said that he was somewhat surprised, but he was feeling pretty calm and blase about the whole thing. We've gotten lots of information from a number of sources that say that open heart surgery is all but routine these days, and Rob and Dawn were already told that they'll be kicking him out of the hospital within 4-6 days, so we're feeling pretty good about everything.

At least the hospital has free wireless connectivity.