When Healing Is SLOW

By now, may of you know that I am 5 days post-op for gallbladder surgery.  It was not my idea of a good time, but seeing as I had a marble sized stone removed along with my gallbladder, it needed to be done.  Yes, I tried all the home remedies to avoid it...they didn't work, unfortunately.

So I went in Friday morning for surgery and got to come home mid-afternoon.  They said I did great.  What do they know??!

• I expected I would have a heart attack before the surgery because I was so scared.  I did not, thankfully.

•  I expected that I would be able to avoid the severe nausea that anesthesia and pain killers gives me.  I did not. 

• I expected to have my appetite back immediately.  I do not.

• I expected to be up and dressed and ready to go.  Nope, not that either.

See how this is going?

Let me say, I AM thankful for a successful surgery and the wonderful doctors and nurses who took care of me and pretended that I was NOT the biggest baby they had seen all week.  I am thankful that I am not in severe pain and was able to ditch the pain meds two days into healing.  I am thankful for friends who have sent food, cards, flowers, and sweet messages, and I am super thankful for my sweet family that has taken on running the household.

BUT...

I am frustrated.  I anticipated I would be sore, but I did not think it would feel like someone has tried to stir fry my insides. I did not think that no food would sound good to me.  I did not expect that taking a deep breath would send a pain straight through my rib cage.  I did not expect all I would feel like doing was sleeping.  I did not think going up or down the stairs would wear me out for the day and I certainly did not think I would not care whether I was showered or dressed.  Frankly, both take too much energy.

So, am I healing?  Let's hope so.  Everyone says I am.
Would I like a do over? Yes!  But I would have to start from day 1 again and quite frankly, no thank you!
Do I have a greater respect for people who have surgery of any kind?  YES!

It does not matter what surgery you are having done, cutting into a body is not natural and it does take a toll on your body.  Listening to others and their experiences is good in some ways, but expecting that your story will look the same is not reasonable.  I am pretty sure that is where I went wrong.

Expectations.  They will get you every time!
So will surgery!

Here's to next week looking better!

Blessings,

Recovery and Rehab

As you may know, I am currently playing nurse for my mom for a week while she recovers from a total knee replacement.

The good news, and I really mean GREAT news, is that she handled surgery well.  This is big for her, as her past history of surgery has been pretty bad.  This time around they did a spinal instead of using anesthesia, which eliminated most of her issues.  She does not take pain meds well, so she did have to battle some pretty severe reactions to that, but once the nurses figured out the right combination things greatly improved.

The bad news- surgery stinks.  No matter what.

It messes with your body and mind.

So this is where we are at.  Working hard to heal her body and keep her entertained to help her mental state.

Body, hard.  Mind, easy! (you know our family is nutty, so laughter is pretty easy!)

I will not go into details, but she is on a pretty regimented schedule.  Thanks to me.  You are welcome, mom.  Everything is written down and the drill sargent has moved in.  I told her when I left we could facetime during her physical therapy.  She told me no need, she would still be hearing my voice.

hmmmm, no comment.

Physical therapy is hard to do and hard to watch.  Except for the cat.  He enjoyed the show.

Well, then it must have worn him out because he chose to sleep afterwards.

Then he moved for a better view. Yes, on the ice pad.  Yes, on top of the potty chair.  At least it provided laughter!

Plus this cat has decided to protect mom at all costs.  You should see the looks I get from him!

As far as laughter goes, oh how I love my family!  They have popped in a few times and kept us in giggles.  Seriously!

That plus a silly video I shared with mom.  I hate linking stuff but if you go to YouTube and search Sarah help me, you can laugh too!  Go ahead, it is worth it!  Laughter is so good for us!!

Tonight, it is funny movie time!

Thanks for all the prayers and encouragement you have sent our way.  They have been felt and much appreciated.

Blessings,

Surgery Update and Other Ramblings

Good morning!  A big thank you to everyone for the inquiries, sweet words of encouragement, and prayers.  My surgery was "successful".  The doctor said it was a "textbook" case and he surprised me by letting me come early evening the same day.  While it was not the best sleep I am sure it was better than any I would have gotten in the hospital.  What is with them waking you up every time you drift off to sleep??  Anyway, here are my thoughts on the whole thing, in no particular order:

-I found out that I am slightly braver than I thought.  Ok, maybe it was just the prayers, but regardless, I did not freak out.  At least not yet.

-I have had no real pain.  Yes, it does feel like someone took my insides out, shook them up a bit, and then put them back in to see where they would settle, but no external incision has meant no real pain.  A lot of aches and back pain, but hey, I will take it!

-My bed is too high for recovering-from-surgery-patients and hard to get in and out of!  (CP also bounces around too much in his sleep when he rolls over, but don't tell him I told you!)

-When you have been sick for so long every little thing tends to creep you out, so I am slowly having to learn a new normal.  This includes RELAXING!  Still working on that....

-Anesthesia is creepy!   Don't remember stuff, can hear but can't get your eyes open, who knows what went on while you were out- well, let's just not even go there! ;)

-When you can't exercise, it never looked so appealing.  I long to get back on the treadmill and RUN; remind me of that in 6-8 weeks when I am cleared for normal life.

-There are only so many projects you can do before you start to run out.  I have written numerous posts in the middle of the night when I could not sleep, put a Child's Training Bible together (giveaway to come!), read, scrap booked, finished a puzzle and wandered around the house.  Thought it might be a new kind of fun to be babied for a while but not. so. much!

-Everyone says that you will feel great by the second week.  Today is day five.  I am waiting not so patiently for the second week.

-I told CP that after surgery I would be a new woman.  I even told the doctor if I was not, he would have to go back in and take more out.  I am still waiting.  So is CP!  ;)

-Extra hormones for fifty-some days can make a person looney.  Take those away- expect a crash!  A big one.  Kinda like the baby blues after giving birth, but with no cute baby to make you feel better.

-My mood is highly affected by the sun.  So where did it go and when is it coming back?

-I am thankful it is summer.  At least our schedule is slower and I will blend in with the other mommies lounging at the pool.  Otherwise, I would just feel plain lazy.

-Some days are just better than others.

But above all of this, I have found-

Friends and Family are fabulous.

Prayers are powerful.

Medicine is mighty.

GOD IS GREATER THAN ALL!

Thank you for walking through this with me, my friends!

Stay tuned this week for a new review, a giveaway and a fun Friday vacation edition!

Surgery and Such

This time on Wednesday I will be in surgery.  My first. one. ever.  It is overdue and needed.  Since November, I have had "women's health" issues that landed me in the ER twice and resulted in severe anemia so the time has come- a hysterectomy is scheduled for Wednesday.  Anyway, it was not my first choice, nor my second for that matter, but after many consultations and much prayer we believe that it is the answer I need.  Can I just tell you I am scared?  I braved having two of our kiddos naturally because it seemed better than needles and associated hospital things.  I am not fond of hospitals.  I still have my wisdom teeth because I am a wimp.  Get the idea?

Funny thing is, about the same time that all this came about, we also got word that CP needed his elbow surgery. At the time I joked with him about getting in line, I was sick first.  But while sitting in the waiting room a few short weeks ago, I had an epiphany.

Maybe God was letting me conquer my fear of surgery by allowing me to walk though it first with my husband.  I got to see all the pre-op stuff.  I got to see all the post-op stuff.  And I, I mean, HE, survived.  I will too!

But, just to cover all of my bases- will you please add me to your prayers Wednesday morning?  For a successful surgery and healing, but especially for a peace that only the Lord can provide.  My nerves will thank you- SO DO I!

John 14:27
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

********************************************************************************

ALP will post for me on Wednesday.   Look for me back by Friday!  See, I am being positive!  ;)

Menus and mother in laws...

Our first week of our monthly shopping has gone very well, ie. I did not forget too many things we needed when we shopped. But...we are taking at least two days off our schedule starting today.

My beloved is having arm surgery this morning, and because my health has not been up to par lately, the Calvary has been called in! Yipeeeeeeee! My in laws are coming to help and we are so thankful! Since we are not sure how long we will be gone even though he is scheduled for an "out-patient" procedure, we will feel better that they kiddos are not alone. 

PLUS...

My mother in law is a great southern cook! She's just a great cook. So the kids are so excited to be fed by Grandmama for a few days...to be pampered and spoiled, to make homemade treats and play games. ALP is excited to have help from her grandfather in the garden (we will post pictures next week) since dad is going to be out of commission with his arm for 4-6 weeks we are told. That's where she gets her green thumb, Grandfather, not dad....here's a picture of the area they will be working on.

So no recipes today, I am off to the hospital with CP, but I would ask that you join us in prayer for a successful surgery and speedy recovery.

Daddy and his boys