Thanks everyone for your help. The surgery is set for Feb. 6th (this coming Thursday)....and I'll be so glad when that's done! Joanne - wow - 11 hours???! oh my goodness! Well, if you came out of that OK....I'm sure a procedure half that time should be a "breeze". Thanks also Joanne for the email. Are you sure you weren't a "drill sargeant" at one time?? (lol). Anyways - thanks everyone for your concern, and I'll let you know afterwards how things went. The doc did say he would be in-hospital for 3 - 5 days, and probably a week at home yet to recoup before going about his daily business. Keeping all of you in my thoughts as well.....take care.