Post-Op Report and All the Reasons I'm Thankful

I went in today for my post-op check up and got some great news and some not so great news. The not so great news is that apparently I have developed high blood pressure. They checked it 3 times and the last reading was 143/103 sooo that means I'll be taking bp meds now.

On to the great news, the doctor checked my incisions out and they all looked good. He took the glue off of them since they were itching like crazy and taped them together so I have to be really careful for the next few weeks, but I do get to return to work Monday as long as I am not doing any heavy lifting or standing for long periods of time and of course be cautious of the incisions. We talked about what he found and out of all the fibroids, cysts, endometriosis and adhesions he told me it was a blessing that there was no cancer found and that the surgery was definitely needed despite how young I am. 

This helps me transistion into all the reasons why I am so thankful this year. This has been an eventful year to put it mildly. It started off with me finishing an extremely difficult pregnancy to Miley being in NICU to me having biopsies done with the fear of having cancer to Johnny loosing his job. But you know what, it turned around for the best. I ended up taking on a job I thought I would hate but now couldn't imagine me doing anything else, Johnny landed an awesome job, Miley is healthy, my boys are healthy, and I am cancer free.

I am so grateful for all the things God has blessed me with. Words can't express how much I value my sweet l family and how thankful I am for the ones who supported us when Johnny lost his job. The ones who made sure we had food,who bought diapers, who were there when we just needed a shoulder to cry on, who kept us encouraged and told us not to loose faith. I am thankful God helped Johnny find a new job that has turned out to be so much better than his old one and that we actually get to spend time with him now because he has days off and still earns more than he did before. Thankful for my job, a job I took on thinking I would absolutely hate, that has turned out to be a blessing in itself. Thankful for my sweet co-workers who kept me motivated and encouraged me during a time when Johnny and I didn't know what the future held for us and still keep me encouraged today. Thankful for all the new friends I have made this year -some of you have become my second family. Thankful for Miss Smiley Miley - it was a rough ride getting her here but we made it and I couldn't ask for a sweeter more beautiful baby girl and for my boys who shower me with kisses and hugs at the end of a long day. Thankful for my health, for my home, and for all the luxuries in life God has blessed me with. I have learned this year to not take one single thing for granted because you can loose it in an instant.

It has been a long ride for us, but I am thankful we survived the roughest parts and I know that we will be just fine. 

Happy Thanksgiving!

Miley's First Trip to See Santa = FAIL

Johnny decided that since I've been laid up in hospital beds and my own since Wednesday, he'd get me and Miley out of the house so we could work on "Santa's Gift List" for the kids. (I was wheeled around in a wheelchair for about 75% of the trip). In between stops, we decided to make a trip to Dillards, buy Miley a Christmas dress and we even purchased some candy cane earrings to complete the outfit. We did all of this with the intent of taking her to see Santa and getting her picture made. We ran into Santa on his way to the Cookie Store at which point he stopped and talked to Miley. She was all smiles and giggles as usual.We mentioned to Santa that we were on our way for her to get her picture made with him so he told us to go wait and he'd be there in just a second. When he arrived, we carried Miley over to him who was still all smiley as usual and she remained this way up until the point Johnny and I walked away towards the camera. At that point, she had a total meltdown thus ruining any chance of us getting a good picture of them. Oh well we can always try again. Maybe her 2 brothers can help her out on the next try. Below is a pic I snapped of her right before we made our way down to see him. At least we got a good bit of the gifts on their Christmas wishlist out of the way -- I mean "Santa" did. And as for post-surgery Mommy, she will be laying in the bed for the next few days because she did just a little too much today.

Surgery - Success!

Wednesday was D-Day for surgery. I was, as you can imagine, nervous, scared and happy to get it over with. I had set the alarm for 3:30 that morning only I forgot to actually set the alarm so we woke up at 4:30 and had to be at the hospital by 5:45.

Anyway, we got there before the bad weather hit, got checked in and in no time they had me in a room and even more amazing I was back in the surgery holding within 20 minutes of being taken to a room. The surgery started at 8:00 and was over sometime between 10:30-11:00.

The doctor said he found a lot of endometriosis, fibroids and adhesions but thankfully no signs of cancer. So after spending a night in the hospital I'm at home in my own bed.

I'm sore and I left the hospital with an upper respiratory infection, but he hooked me up with some good antibiotics and a breathing treatment so I won't be struggling fighting it combined with recovering from surgery. Other than that, I'm doing pretty good. It's hard to move around and it's really weird how it literally feels like there is something missing inside of me (I guess because there really is) but at the same time I can already feel a difference in how I feel overall despite the soreness.

Anyway, the doctor says as long as I stay off my feet as much as possible, rest, avoid housework, lifting, bending, cooking, shopping and driving that he will let me return to work within a week and half and that will be with the understanding that I am still supposed to restrict the amount of time on my feet, driving, etc.

Thanks to all of you who sent me texts, messaged me, prayed for me, called me, sent me a card, visited me in the hospital and have helped take care of me post-op.  It means a lot!!

Happy Thanksgiving :)

Wedding, Checkup, Surgery

This has been a long week. It started off with me playing catch up on Miley's checkups. I took her to Dr. Reid Monday and at 8 months she weighs 20 lbs and is 27 and 3/4 inches long and she is sweet as ever. She goes back in 6 weeks at which point she will hopefully be fully caught up.

I have gotten everything set, scheduled and prepared for my surgery next week. I will be staying overnight (which wasn't planned to begin with) and I could be off of work anywhere from 2-6 weeks. We are keeping our fingers crossed for 2 weeks though because I just can't be off work for too long! I'm nervous about the surgery but I know I've got tons of support and prayers going up for me ;)

I finished this week off with Roger and Brookley's wedding. My husband and Roger have been friends for over 20 years. I met Roger at MCC about 10 years ago and he's been an awesome friend to me through the years as well. Congrats to the new bride and groom.

Tonight state plays alabama - here's hoping for a miracle!!!!

Don't forget to be Thankful

Okay so I've been hiking the trails at Bonita lately, and well I've noticed that they've already started putting their Christmas decorations up?! Really? Even in downtown I've noticed the garland already going up and let's not forget the Christmas trees already in Walmart or the 994 bazillion Christmas commericals I've seen already! It's crazy.

What happened to celebrating Thanksgiving??? It seems like everyone has forgotten this holiday. In some ways it seems like people are so determined to bypass Halloween and jump right to Christmas as soon as September hits. With that being said, I'd like to take a moment to fill you in on 10 things I am thankful for this year.

1. The fact Johnny and I have both found awesome jobs
2. Our 3 beautiful children
3. Our home
4. Our health
5. My family
6. My friends old and new
7. My vehicle
8. God
9. My sweet doggy orange
10. Great neighbors

This year started off crazy, but thank God things have turned around for the best. I am of course still terrified of the surgery I am having in a couple of weeks, but I know I have some really incredible people praying for me and hanging by my side through it all.