I have just started my journey as well. My first appt. is Tues. The only advice I can give is about the hospital stay. I am 26 and have had over 30 surgeries. (I got tired of counting!) Surgery is scary for most, but 99% of the time there will be no problems. With this in mind, I still get scared. Its normal. The hospital staff are usually very compassionate. Ask questions about everything. If you a low pain tolerance, don't wait until you are in too much pain to ask for medicine. The later you wait, the less the medicine will work. I am stubborn and refused pain medicine until the last minute and suffered unnecessarily for almost every surgery. I always ask what the nurse is doing, what is being put in my IV and anything else I can think of. Good luck and if you ever have any questions about hospitals, please feel free to ask me.