A JOYFUL NOISE

Each day comes and goes. Each day I'm feeling a bit better and struggle with pain less and less. I'm now trying to take my strong pain medicine only during the night to ensure a better night's sleep. My main struggle right now is to get stronger, and stay healthy. I'm hoping and praying that my sneezes and cough is just allergies and nothing else. Over my recovery, I've received countless emails and cards from my church, especially people from my worship team. Growing up in a tight-reigned church, I never felt the love of God as much as I have felt since God has lead me to become a member at Covenant Presbyterian. I've never felt so much care from the body of Christ. Sure, I had family members from the church I grew up in, call or send cards; or maybe it was because I wasn't a Christian then; but I just feel so blessed and loved and cared for by the Body of Christ at my church. I was asked several times by different people at Cov...

This past weekend my parents and I went to Richmond to babysit the girls for my sister and brother in law so that they can celebrate their anniversary early. It was fun being able to spend a lot of time with the girls and it was fun. I felt okay during the weekend with just several periods of not feeling well (weak, tired, in pain, stomach upset); but overall it was really great and fun. Here are some pictures from the eventful weekend!! Caitlyn and Miranda with my Mom (their "paw paw) Me with my precious niece, Caitlyn .............Miranda wanted to play in the pack n play with her sister. It was so adorable to watch them interact! SUPER TIME!! It was a good time spending the weekend with them; I wish I were able to be more active with them, but I'll have plenty of time to have fun with my nieces!

Yesterday was my post op visit to my doctor. I got my stitches removed----and again---I had to get poked by a needle to drain pocket of blood that collected on my surgery site. Other than that, he thinks I'm healing well even with the swelling still present. He isn't surprised with the amount of pain I'm still in and thinks I should feel better soon. There's still a bit more he can do, but he didn't want to do too much on me at one time. I don't have to see him until early next year to see what progress I made and maybe discuss further surgeries for next spring or summer! hmm.. Over the week that I have been recovering, I have received so many cards. It's so special to me to see how many people care and love me. My friend Susan and her family sent me a get well gift. the gift was really neat....it was a medicine cabinet filled with "medicine" (candy), bandages (gummi band-aide), ice pack, tea bags, and a can of chicken no...

So, recovery I think is the hardest part about surgery. I guess surgery really brings about 2 things: the surgery itself and the recovery. Surgery is hard because you have to prepare for it, but recovery is hard to as you have to deal with pain and discomfort, and the feeling of tiredness, not feeling hungry, or the stiffness of your body. Anyway...........I'm slowly progressing. I'm eating a bit better---still just small and soft meals here and there; I'm still happy with just chicken broth and crackers. I guess it has enough calories in me to give me some energy throughout the day; but I guess my not eating my regular diet or my regular amount really has to do with pain associated with eating as well as the nausea from medication. My pain is still moderate and I'm taking medication for it which itself makes me have the Z's. Overall, I'm doing okay; slowly having more and more energy as days go by. I was able to carry on a 15 min conve...

I'm going to try to update this regularly so that you all can find out the latest on my status. I tried eating a soft diet yesterday, and that didn't go to well. I got sick every time I tried to eat, even if was simply just crackers. So, I resorted to keeping myself hydrated and nourished by drinking fluids (juice, broth, etc). I'm still in a bit of pain and have been taking pain medication every 4 or so hours. That in itself makes me tired and sleepy. Last night was probably one of the best nights I had in sleeping (since the surgery). I can be the first to tell you that hospitals are NOT the best place to sleep! I was awake almost every hour in the hospital and not comfortable at all. Last night before bed, I got my bed and pillows stacked up enough to give me support for my head, as well as make sure my pillows will help lead my head facing the left since my right side was worked on and I am not really allowed to lean on it. Anyhow, my moving aroun...

So I'm finally home after spending TWO nights in the hospital. Let me give you a background as to what happened. I was at the hospital Wednesday around 10:30 and waited a while before they called me up to surgery prep. It's interesting going up to surgery prep because three of the nurses there actually knew me since I was 4 or 5 yrs old! So, I requested a certain nurse to do my IV on me since she's known me forever and I already have a hatred toward needles. Anyhow, after all the prep work, I was given a dose of "happy drugs" and wheeled into the Operating Room. I probably didn't get operated on until about 1:30 or so per my nurse. It was over by 4:30pm. I had a hard time in the recovery room, overwhelming nauseated, itchy, and in A LOT of pain. After 2 hrs in the recovery room, I was wheeled to the Short Stay Unit since the plan was for me to just be a 23 hr patient. That night was rough for me. I was sick and in a lot of pain...

From our visit to Richmond on Saturday.........there's more sweetness in the air, putting smiles on my face from my 2 adorable nieces.............. 6. Pulling up on things and standing on my own........ 7. Riding my car (and attempting to push my legs to move around) 8. Trying to convince herself "I'm not too big for this" 9. Snuggles with Paw paw 10. Being held by "gong gong" .........ah, the joys of being an aunt!

So, tomorrow is the big day........another surgery. How am I? You ask? I'm well. I'm at peace, yet still nervous as it is to be because we are all human. I hate needles. I hate getting IVs in me. I hate gas masks; and I hate the feeling of overwhelming nauseousness due to anesthesia. I have the pain the comes after surgery, the stiffness of my body, and the feeling dizziness due to the various medication. But all of that is temporary. It will pass; the outcome of the surgery will hopefully turn well. Today I went to work. I got there at 7:15AM! I was exhausted by the time 4:30 came along. I sent in a mass email to my coworkers explaining why I will be out. So many of my co-workers gave me hugs and wishes of "good luck". A couple of them said prayers. I felt blessed right then and there. I come home to a bunch of emails from friends who promises to pray for me and think of me. Phone calls as well. I was reminded that God wi...

Work has been busy for everyone at Region Ten. Due to VA budget deficit of $4.9 BILLION, they are cutting back; they are not hiring positions that a much needed and work as increased for almost all my co-workers including myself. There is even a talk about possibility to lay off workers; pray that it doesn't come to this; everyone at work, including the managers are on pins and needles. I've been working hard these past few weeks, getting reports done and turned in and trying to get things ahead of schedule for when I am out on medical leave. This was one of those weeks I have been super busy; not just a work but at the house as well, cleaning my room and other such responsibilities. Today was Community Worship for the members of the worship team. Originally, I had told my worship director that I may not be able to make it tonight due to the fact that I wasn't sure how busy I'd be today. Today, God was putting on my heart to lay aside things and go to w...

Today, I headed for UVA for my pre-op workup. Nothing new; nothing old. It's the same questions, the same routine, the same paper---it never changes. I wonder why they just don't make a bunch of copies of my paperwork and just pull one out when it's my turn for surgery...hmm...I guess that's too easy. Well, the docs decided to do the following next Wednesday: They will work on my lower right cheek area, debulk it because of the overgrown tissues has weighed my check down. They will open up my right ear canal as well as bring my ear up so that it will be more in line with my left ear. Basically, both procedures will be done kind of together; bringing my whole right side up (sort of like a face lift, but not really) They will do my nose----this originally was not on the "to do list" but one of the fellow doctors took a look at me and suggested that since I will be under anesthesia, it will be good idea to work on opening up the right nostril to he...

As most of you all know , I am headed for surgery next Wednesday, the 15th. I've been through countless surgeries at UVA since I was a baby; I've had shoulder and knee surgery at RMH in Harrisonburg, I've gone through countless doctor's appointments and such. People often tell me (or rather compliment) me on what bravery I possess and what strength I have to go through all this. My response is not just that "I'm used to it", but rather that my Father is the source of my comfort and care. Sure, every surgery brings it's own fear, but I know that God's hands is directing every aspect of my life and the hands of the doctors who take care of me. Today in church, we sang one of my favorite songs. It's a comforting song to me knowing that I can rest in Jesus because of his Love. It's His Love that makes me whole, even though I'm physical not whole in this world. His love is broader then the sea; His Promises are to His people---...

I have quit a few friends who like to blog; and I read their blogs daily, just so I can keep up with them and know what's going on in their lives. One of my friend's blog has a thing called "7 Random Things about myself." She had posted 7 random things about herself and supposedly the person who reads it should do the same thing, so here it goes. 7 RANDOM THINGS ABOUT MYSELF! 1. I LOVE HISTORY I have always loved History. When I go sightseeing, places I like to visit is historical sight such as the DC. I love reading about history as well as teaching history class at my job place. I'm certainly not one who can yell out a name, date, etc when asked about History, but I just like learning about it. 2. I'M TERRIFIED of mascots or anything in a costumes. Other than the fact that I think Halloween is not biblical, I especially do not like kids or anyone dressing up in scary outfits (gost, gobblins, witches, etc). Even if the mascots are "nic...