Wow, I just checked the date on my last post. June 9. That was a while ago. Sorry - but I have been on experiencing some "lost time" this month. This oh-so-lovely surgery appears to have done a number on me. I sit here, doing nothing. No Facebook, no texting, no phone calls. No television. No reading. Just nothing. And if you know me, you know that is not normal.
I blame it on the anesthesia. The "staring into space" AND the sometimes overly emotional crying - I blame it all on the anesthesia. Might as well, it can't "argue back." :)
Now - to recap. The last time I wrote was Monday, June 9. On Wednesday, June 11, I made my first venture out into the real world for a follow-up, where I learned that all my pathology had come back benign. Yay!!!! However, that day trip literally WORE ME OUT. I mean, I went to bed before 5:00, Dan had to practically feed me dinner...I was DONE! Then, on Thursday, I really did not feel well at all. And on Friday, I started running a fever. Well, finally, when Dan was home with me on Saturday, and I was once again running a fever, he called the surgeon on call. He called me in an antibiotic, and I started it Saturday afternoon. Within 5 hours we could tell it was starting to work. However, I remained sickly through Wednesday, when I once again headed out to the doctor. Dr. Pinson was convinced I was better, but did encourage me to WALK more! (I know - I have been a horrible rehab patient this time around.) Once again, the doctor's visit wore me out, and I slept away. Finally, on Saturday, Dan Reid made me get up and about. I went to my mom's, and laid on her couch. All day. It was good for me to get out, and see some people. I was not up to church today, but I hope to be there next week, especially if I can get a few good walks in this week to build up my strength.
Now, I have had a TON of things running through my mind (and I don't promise it has all been sane!). I will start with the irony, and move on to the serious. -
Irony - I was supposed to have a bariatric surgery that would alter what I am able to eat and drink. I was SO AFRAID of starving. Well, no bariatric surgery completed - I have NO dietary restrictions, and I am struggling to eat a bite of anything! Well, up until yesterday, that is. I will eat 2-3 bites of something, then I am full, and sick. Because of this, I have lost an additional 15-20 pounds this month. At my last weigh-in on my home scale, I have now officially lost 78# in a year. Now, I can tell my appetite is coming back, and I am going to have to get back on it soon, but for now, I am letting it ride. I am eating what I think my body needs to heal, and prepare itself for the rest of this journey.
Now, for the serious note. I am no theologian, scholar, or expert. However, I have learned a lesson this month that I want all young girls who dream of marrying someday to know. Dan Reid has shown me the most self-less love imaginable during this time. Now, those of you who know him, know that Dan is one of the most practical people on the face of this earth. No, he didn't send me flowers. Yes, he only took off work one day (but FYI - I insisted on only 1 day!) We are not the most romantic couple you will ever see...We are more likely to save our money for a household necessity rather than to buy gifts for each other. But I have been moved to tears more than once this week by his love.
This precious man has performed tasks that no one should have to perform for their spouse, especially a man for his wife. He has slept (well, laid on the couch) in my hospital room every night but one (when I sent him home.) He has continued to sleep in our guest bed, because I sleep better in the recliner in the guest room, and he doesn't want to be far from me. He wakes up to walk with me to the bathroom multiple times each night. He INSISTS that I sleep in my sexy, green "grippy socks" from the hospital so I don't fall. He has run this house like a well-oiled machine in my "absence." He has a system, and the kids are following it. Yes, all of my pajamas may be piled on top of the washing machine, but if I need clean clothes, they are right there, in easy reach. He has gone to work for his 10+ hour days, and then come home to water the flowers I helped JC plant, and promised to help take care of. He comes home and makes sure the kids and I are fed. He has grocery shopped for any little thing my heart desired. He has done laundry and dishes. He makes sure I have a shower and a walk every day. And he has done it all with a smile, a kiss, and a tender "I love yous" for the kids and me.
This, ladies and gentlemen, This is love. Love as a verb...And I cry as I sit here typing this. I wish that all of the young ladies who are looking for Mr. Right would look for more of these qualities, and less of the worldly qualities such as looks and money. To have been blessed by God by this man is unreal. To me, this week/month especially, when I have had to have assistance with EVERY activity of daily living from toileting to brushing my teeth, I cannot imagine not having a love like this. Someone who selflessly helps with any task no matter how menial or disgusting. Who doesn't tease. Who wakes up in the middle of the night to hold your hand, because he just felt like you needed it.
That, friends - That is what you should pray for. This type of love is what I pray for my children. Both of them.
Thank you, God, for using this time to show me how blessed I am to have such a special man as my partner. Please allow me to remember the love this man has shown to me, and let me be worthy of such a love! Please work your will in our lives, and help me to be the wife he deserves....
Have a blessed week!
Sunday, June 22, 2014
Monday, June 9, 2014
A journey of a thousand miles starts with a single step...
Hello, friends! This is NOT the post I expected to be making today. Today's post was supposed to be all "Yay, it's over!" and "Whoo - hoo....Guess how much I have lost now?!?"
Nope - Today I am going to talk about my journey, and some detours that I have had to take. I like to tell my "stroke patients" in the nursing home that they (and their words) are STILL IN THERE. We just have to find the way to get them out. I always use a trip to Walmart as an example. There are as many different ways to get to Walmart in Tupelo as there are people going there. Just because you don't go "my way" does not mean your way is wrong. (Just don't tell Dan Reid I said that, because he ALWAYS goes the wrong way!).
Last Tuesday, I had "paid my dues." I had been on a full liquid diet for 3 days, a clear liquid diet for 1 day, and had tolerated the 8000mg of antibiotics AND the bowel prep. I was up, showered, and off to the hospital. They rolled me back shortly after 1pm, and I was expecting to wake up a changed woman. Vertical sleeve in place, weight loss tool in place, ready to tackle the world.
Then, I came to in the recovery room. You know, they REALLY want to talk to you a lot back there, and I was SO not in the mood for listening. Especially when all I could remember was Dr. Pinson saying "we didn't do your sleeve, but I will do it for you when you heal from this." WHAT!?!?!? I mean, REALLY!?!?!? To wake up in pain, and be told that you didn't get your surgery? Not cool! Well, there was a lot of blur in the recovery room, and later in my room that night. Dr. Pinson came around AGAIN and reiterated that he would take care of my vertical sleeve, but not until I healed.
Now - Here is the story as it was told to me later:
Dan and Mama were sent up to my hospital room when they took me back for surgery. Dan went to get some lunch, and while he was gone, Dr. Pinson called the room and told Mama that my gallbladder looked abnormal, and that he thought he needed to remove it. Mama said fine - whatever was best. Then, Dan came back, and she told him. As they were talking about it, they both realized/remembered that I had had my gallbladder removed in 2005, when Jon Carter was a baby. I guess they began to get concerned around then. The hour and a half surgery ended up taking over 3 hours. When they brought me out, Dr. Pinson went and explained to Dan and Mama that I had some type of massive cyst/growth on my liver that he had had to remove. When he "showed" me the size with his hands, it was reminiscent of a cantaloupe. This growth contained at least a liter of bile. Dr. Pinson had consulted with Dr. Charles Pigott, and neither of them had ever seen anything like it. The two of them consulted a pathologist, and the 3 of them all agreed that it had to go. So go it did.
As I recovered in the hospital for a few extra days (5!) I realized how blessed I was. 1) My doctors feel that this growth is benign, and that they think they got it all. 2) There were 3 physicians and a resident that were responsible for me - One was Dr. Pinson, who I have developed a relationship with over the past year, another was Charles Pigott, who has kids around the same age as my kids, and he has been my surgeon before (he is also my grandmother's neighbor), and the third doctor was a pathologist. Well, I know exactly 1 pathologist in this world, and it was him - Rob Jarrett, who is one of Jon Carter's friends dads. So, you see, God placed these 3 there to take care of me. I truly believe that! This growth was discovered in a controlled operating room, not after a spontaneous rupture where we would be wondering what was going on.
As you see - My journey has taken a detour. However, I will continue to work toward my weight loss goals, and I will pray to see if the vertical sleeve is a step that I will need to take in my future. Right now, I am literally just too sore, too tired, and too sick to make that kind of decision. However, please know that I am sure that I am 100% exactly where God wants me to be this week.
Thank you all who have called, texted, prayed, picked up kids, delivered kids, cooked meals... It is all appreciated, and I don't have any idea how long it will be before I can resume normal activities. So, thank you!
Blessings in your journeys, my friends! Love you all!
Nope - Today I am going to talk about my journey, and some detours that I have had to take. I like to tell my "stroke patients" in the nursing home that they (and their words) are STILL IN THERE. We just have to find the way to get them out. I always use a trip to Walmart as an example. There are as many different ways to get to Walmart in Tupelo as there are people going there. Just because you don't go "my way" does not mean your way is wrong. (Just don't tell Dan Reid I said that, because he ALWAYS goes the wrong way!).
Last Tuesday, I had "paid my dues." I had been on a full liquid diet for 3 days, a clear liquid diet for 1 day, and had tolerated the 8000mg of antibiotics AND the bowel prep. I was up, showered, and off to the hospital. They rolled me back shortly after 1pm, and I was expecting to wake up a changed woman. Vertical sleeve in place, weight loss tool in place, ready to tackle the world.
Then, I came to in the recovery room. You know, they REALLY want to talk to you a lot back there, and I was SO not in the mood for listening. Especially when all I could remember was Dr. Pinson saying "we didn't do your sleeve, but I will do it for you when you heal from this." WHAT!?!?!? I mean, REALLY!?!?!? To wake up in pain, and be told that you didn't get your surgery? Not cool! Well, there was a lot of blur in the recovery room, and later in my room that night. Dr. Pinson came around AGAIN and reiterated that he would take care of my vertical sleeve, but not until I healed.
Now - Here is the story as it was told to me later:
Dan and Mama were sent up to my hospital room when they took me back for surgery. Dan went to get some lunch, and while he was gone, Dr. Pinson called the room and told Mama that my gallbladder looked abnormal, and that he thought he needed to remove it. Mama said fine - whatever was best. Then, Dan came back, and she told him. As they were talking about it, they both realized/remembered that I had had my gallbladder removed in 2005, when Jon Carter was a baby. I guess they began to get concerned around then. The hour and a half surgery ended up taking over 3 hours. When they brought me out, Dr. Pinson went and explained to Dan and Mama that I had some type of massive cyst/growth on my liver that he had had to remove. When he "showed" me the size with his hands, it was reminiscent of a cantaloupe. This growth contained at least a liter of bile. Dr. Pinson had consulted with Dr. Charles Pigott, and neither of them had ever seen anything like it. The two of them consulted a pathologist, and the 3 of them all agreed that it had to go. So go it did.
As I recovered in the hospital for a few extra days (5!) I realized how blessed I was. 1) My doctors feel that this growth is benign, and that they think they got it all. 2) There were 3 physicians and a resident that were responsible for me - One was Dr. Pinson, who I have developed a relationship with over the past year, another was Charles Pigott, who has kids around the same age as my kids, and he has been my surgeon before (he is also my grandmother's neighbor), and the third doctor was a pathologist. Well, I know exactly 1 pathologist in this world, and it was him - Rob Jarrett, who is one of Jon Carter's friends dads. So, you see, God placed these 3 there to take care of me. I truly believe that! This growth was discovered in a controlled operating room, not after a spontaneous rupture where we would be wondering what was going on.
As you see - My journey has taken a detour. However, I will continue to work toward my weight loss goals, and I will pray to see if the vertical sleeve is a step that I will need to take in my future. Right now, I am literally just too sore, too tired, and too sick to make that kind of decision. However, please know that I am sure that I am 100% exactly where God wants me to be this week.
Thank you all who have called, texted, prayed, picked up kids, delivered kids, cooked meals... It is all appreciated, and I don't have any idea how long it will be before I can resume normal activities. So, thank you!
Blessings in your journeys, my friends! Love you all!
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