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!