In which she keeps to her theme of the year and finishes last minute preparations..

It's been a good week for my final week of holidays. I go back to work next week. I'm not looking forward to it and I feel really bad about that because I'll only be there for three days (Thursday is a public holiday) and then I'll be on Carers and Compassionate Leave until February 27 whilst Georgia recovers from her spinal fusion. Still, I'm not looking forward to going back. I've gotten way too happy and content staying at home and pottering about.

This week I have been really kind to myself. I've done a few bits and pieces, tidied up some official business with the Tax Office and the Child Support Agency (I had no idea that I had to officially register with them, only learning that I did after Centrelink cut my payments down to the bare minimum) but spent most of the time doing crochet and having a movie marathon. It's been great. I've walked the dog, been jogging, baked and had great conversations with the kids. I could get used to this. I really could.

There has been no word on when my new job will be starting. All the official documentation hasn't been approved as yet so there is no licence to operate. Not only that but the outfitting of the rooms hasn't been completed either so even the physical environment isn't even ready. On one hand it is really quite frustrating, but with Georgia having surgery and having a long recovery it's also like having my cake and being able to eat it too. See, I still have a job. I haven't yet handed in my resignation, nor have I even told them that I've secured a position at the Day Care. AAV is a very flexible and understanding workplace so they are more than happy for me to take as much time as Georgia needs whilst she recovers. It really couldn't have worked out any better.

Today Georgia and I had an MRI appointment at the hospital. This will be her last test before the big day next Friday. I'm really glad the scan had been organised as it gives the surgeon a much clearer picture of the state of her spine and spinal cord. As the date draws nearer I feel more calm. I don't know why. Maybe it has to do with the fact that we are going into this surgery fully informed and confident that the decisions we have made are the right ones for Georgia. Do we want to do this surgery? No. If there was a way out of it we'd take it, but we know the consequences of saying no so the surgery is her best option.

After the MRI we also visited the ward where she'll be staying, just so it's familiar to her when we go there on Friday. I think it helped calm her nerves a little.

So, we're as ready as we can be. We've planned all we can plan. I know what song she wants to hear as she drifts off to sleep. There is nothing more to do except turn up.