MIKEY!
You have an excellent attitude! I kinda had the same attitude as well - trip to California, learning experience. You are in great hands, and I wish you the best next week. I understand how your mother is feeling though - my mom was the same. She had all these flowers that had been part of religious services in my name (it's a hindu thing) and she was doing mantras holding the flowers over my head while I lay in bed the morning of my first surgery as five different people were hooking me up to machines, IVs and what not. It was quite the scene. But, she hung in there, with the support of family and moya moya'ers like JILL!

Please let your mom know that we're here for her.
Some pointers while at the hospital:
1-ask for the children's menu, it's better than the adult menu.

Cheese pizza is always better than bland roasted chicken in my opinion.
2-flirt with the unit nurses. It works.
3-always walk around at 6am if you have energy and are wide awake. It flips out the residents when they can't find you.
Please keep us updated on your progress.
Best wishes,
Trina