Sunday, October 26, 2008

It takes a village...

The past week has been bad and good wrapped into one. The obvious bad being I had a trip back to the hospital and was in more pain than I can ever remember. The good (of which is the focus of this blog) has been how my friends and family have rallied around me to help care for me and my children.

Starting moments after I pulled out that darn staple, Mom called the the ambulance and then called David (my brother). He was here to go in the ambulance with me in less than 5 minutes, all the way from Holt.
Soon after that Kathy, her son Joey and his girlfriend Amanda (who also works with mom!) showed up to check in on me and drop Kathy off. I vaguely remember this which is amazing since I had so many drugs on board at that point!
Kathy and David stayed with me in the ER, while Mom stayed at home so the kids lives remained as stable as possible.
Friends showed up, seemingly minutes after I got there, including Pastor Sue, Mindi Cromwell, Kim and Brian Seidenstucker (who were there on bed rest for Kim and baby Seidenstucker).
The nasty nurses and doctors (who really were good but I didn't care for them at the time lol) kept poking at me and EVERYONE seemed to ask if I was nauseous. David kept them at bay, answering questions and asking why things needed to be done, what else could be done etc. Kathy kept me calm, stroking my head and speaking softly, keeping me in conversation to distract me. They stayed with me until I was tucked in my bed upstairs, hours later at around 3am.

Fortunately mom had the next day, Monday, off from work and was able to get the kids off to daycare and school and also pick them up. My doctor decided I should go home Monday afternoon. Unfortunately, he decided that AFTER the kids were already home! Our neighbor, Phil graciously came over after the kids were in bed and waited for us to come home.

Since mom had to work Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday, David was at our house at 5 AM each day to get the kids up, dressed and off to school and daycare.

After work, Mom would pick up the kids and then do allll the night time things I usually do like dinner, homework, bath, and getting the kids in bed.

Friday rolled around and Grandma Chin came and packed up the kids for the night, giving me another day to quietly heal. They went tailgating, to Uncle Doodoo's football game, Grandma and Catie also took Alexis to a birthday party on Saturday!

This morning (Sunday) I stayed home while mom got the kids up, fed them, clothed them and took them to Church.

It really has taken a village this week, and I'm so thankful for the village I'm in!

Monday, October 20, 2008

One more time, again!

Well being on my own by Tuesday was wishful thinking! A few hours after I wrote that last blog, I managed to rip a staple out of my abdominal wall, causing many hours of tears, howls, a fun ambulance ride, 12 hours in the ER, than being admitted for 17 more hours for pain management. I am finally home with a crap load of drugs. So for now I'm exhausted and very sleepy, so goodnight!!

Sunday, October 19, 2008

Surgery: complete!

The surgery went off without a hitch, thank goodness! I went in about 2:30 and remember asking what time it was around 5:30.
It was supposed to be outpatient, but my oxygen levels were too low, and my pain levels were too high to send me home so I stayed the night. I can't imagine this EVER being outpatient!
The nurse told me that most people who have a ventral hernia repaired usually end up staying at least one night, so I'm not the exception.
For now I'm hanging out in bed, taking my pills on time (or facing the concequences), and letting mom totaly handle the kids. I'm SO glad she's here!
The kids were picked up friday by Dad and Lori and stayed the night. They had a lot of fun playing with the kittens, and saturday they went to a corn maze! Dad and Lori dropped them off around 6. I had gotten home around 2 so I had a nap before they got home.

The kids have remembered to be VERY careful with me since my entire abdomen is very sore, even with the darvocet I'm taking.
Mom will be here monday, but I'm on my own Tuesday!
Better get my rest :)

Thursday, October 16, 2008

It's October...

That means a couple of things at my house!

The musical gets started up again. Alexis' FIRST musical!

This seasons production is of "The Mystery of the Manger" by Celeste Clydesdale.

In The Mystery of the Manger, Jane Blonde, an investigative reporter for The Morning Star newspaper wants the facts . . . just the facts! Her questions and searching make headline news on Christmas morning. As she observes rehearsal for the Christmas Eve pageant, the children teach her through their songs that "Like the Wise Men" we're all searching for the truth, and that the gospel accounts of Jesus' life are "The Gospel Truth." In examining these facts from Scripture, your children and congregation will discover the overwhelming proof that the baby born 2,000 years ago in that manger IS the Savior of the world.




It also means new decorations for Karen's stone. Fall is one of my favorite times of year. I decided to combine Halloween/harvest themes together this time unlike last year, when it was pretty much all Halloween.





My surgery is tomorrow, I'm pretty excited/nervous/anticipatory and ready to get it over with!!

Wednesday, October 15, 2008

One more time!!

Ok, so remember when I had my gallbladder out?


Well it turns out that larger than normal incision is going to make some trouble for me. I had a scan in April for unrelated pancreas trouble and it was noted I had a small hernia on that incision. "I wouldn't worry about it" the Doctors said. 6 months later it's being worried about!!

I now have a very large ventral hernia that is being repaired on Friday, the 17th. yipeeee

It's painful enough that I've been taken off work and restricted to lifting 10lbs or less. I took the first date they had available, I am ready! I should be back in full force by halloween, and ready to work in early November *cross fingers*


I spoke with Cat today and she sent me to the cutest little craft idea for halloween!!