Hello all. Just wanted to let everyone know especially those that sent Johnny encouraging words - he is doing fairly well. I gave him the printed out messages while we were waiting to be checked into the hospital and he so appreciated them. He was so scared. It was hard for me seeing my big tough brother afraid, but I knew deep in my hear this was the right thing. The surgery was uneventful, I was there 14 hours with my parent's. He had some issues with pain control post-op, of course I had to raise the roof with the nurses. It's a shame you have to fight for the care you should just automatically receive. His PCA pump was not even connected for 3 hours! But he is doing okay now except he had a terrible gout flare-up and he cannot get out of bed. He is worried about trying to come home friday....his feet and ankles and ready to burst! Physical therapy is working with him and he is now back on the gout medicine. I hope things work out. Anyhow, hope everyone is well. Thanks again for your support for Johnny.