Epic, that's a lot coming up. I'm so glad to hear that they have a plan. Lots of ~ma headed your way.

Sending you love, Epic!

All my love & ~ma, Epic.

So the new stones will have to be moissanite or lab-grown diamonds, which I am totally fine with.

If your jeweler will let you source your own stones vs. insisting you order from them, Ritani tends to have the best lab-grown diamond prices. What size (in mm) are you thinking for side stones, and what shape? (I would go with lab diamond over moissanite, though I do love moissanite for flashy flashy magpie bling. Lab diamond's just a nicer accent stone.)

Timelies all!

Lots of ~ma, Epic.

EpicTangent, thanks for the update. I'm glad to read that you are making progress with the plan. I hope experience and preparation makes the recovery easier. Onwards!

Oh wow, Epic, here's hoping all of that goes as smoothly as it can!!

In actual engagement ring news, the designers in Philly did exactly what I asked for, but it turns out, I'm a shitty jewelry designer. Who knew?

I have had this experience, and I hate it! Not with engagement rings, obviously, but I am a terrible designer! When I say what I want, it is never good! Feh.

Epic, I'm glad there's a plan in place -- it sounds promising!

What size (in mm) are you thinking for side stones, and what shape?

The sapphire is set horizontally (FB link: [link] ), so I was thinking a trillion cut shape. I'm bad on sizes, so I can confidently say I don't know at this point. (Wow, that picture is from 10 years ago; comparing it with today, that ring really really needs to be replated.)

Thank you for the update, Epic. It is good to be another step closer to the needed surgery. Do you have a sound support system for recovery? I know they will keep you in rehab until you are able to take care of yourself, but it will take some time and you don't want to rush things. I'm glad the bladder test was clear!

My recovery plan thus far is the same as after my first surgery. After I get released from the hospital, I'll stay with my dad and his wife for a week or so. Hopefully by then (probably 2-2 1/2 weeks post surgery) I'll be OK on my own at home. One of my friends offered to organize a meal train for me after the last surgery, but it ended up being unnecessary because one friend went MASSIVELY above and beyond doing meal prep for me (seriously, SO MANY MEALS). So I'm hoping to take advantage of R's meal organizing offer this time out. And I'm slowly reconciling myself to letting friends help me with the cleaning I'm not getting done. I've got one neighbor who I know I can call on in an emergency at home, and I should have Home Health Nurses at least a couple of times a week the first several weeks post-surgery. I have a note from one of my Doctors to allow me to work remote until the end of 2023. There's an outside chance that the new owners (my company got sold AGAIN last year) might have a problem with that (the official line is max 2 days per week remote), but I'm assuming since my Supervisor is OK with me working remote, no one else will cause trouble.

So, I guess that's a rough outline of a support plan for surgery recovery? It's tricky; I'm very used to being independent and self-sufficient. But I'm slowly figuring out ways to loosen up my death grip on the reins.

So many vibes to you, Epic. Expect a care package, and backchannel me anytime if you need to vent.