Hi Laura,

I had the bone taken from my leg so can't offer anything about the scapula being used. I can tell you that when I woke up, my first thought was that it wasn't half as bad as I thought it would be. I DID dislike the trach, but that isn't uncommon and only lasts that first day or so.
Going into surgery can be very emotional. I remember being very, very calm until one of the docs, one I hadn't seen before but that was going to be involved in the surgery, took my hand while I was on the gurney and said, "I hear you have seven beautiful daughters". That's all it took and I was in tears but they were rolling me away by that time. Strong emotion is expected. But we also have to have self control. The drive to the hospital and getting ready to go was the worst for me. I just didn't know what to say to my family, I felt bad for THEM. I mean think about it, we're told to arrive at the hospital at some god awful time in the morning.............so they can take us or our family member into a room and cut pieces of us off. We come out changed, never the same. It's alot for the mind to wrap itself around. The best and most encouraging part about it is that we all get through it! No one runs screaming down the halls of the hospital screaming they don't want to go..........no one simply fails to show up at all for their surgery. It has to happen, it's going to happen, and dealing with the emotions head on is best. Talk to your dad, push at him to let you know how he's feeling. I'm horrible for keeping my feelings inside........my daughter Amy knows how to push to get me to show them.........and boy do I feel better after I do.
Good luck with it and please keep us posted on how he's doing.

Minnie