Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Friday, March 20, 2009
Oops! Bumps in the Road
OK - so who knew that vigilance is ever required to protect one's belly-button from enemy invaders? Maybe that's why little kids suck their thumbs with one hand and patrol their navels with the other.
Apparently some nasty bacteria were rollicking on my stomach, ventured too close to the 'black hole', fell into the abyss, couldn't climb out, so decided to dig their way out via China. The result was a trip to the emergency room and a five-day stay at the same hospital that was trying to kill me last summer (at least that's how I remember it). Actually, there was an upside to the experience: I got to meet a lot of the people who worked on me in August. Most of them seemed genuinely pleased to see me, although I think all of them were shocked and amazed that I am still alive. It was very interesting.
Even though I am trying hard to be a kinder, gentler me, I still have this little dark place deep down that is hoping that the doctors who spent two weeks trying to convince Roz to withdraw life support rather than working to heal me, are choking on it right now. (Sorry, had to get it out of my system!)
I have some sort of rogue type A strep that showed up as cellulitis over a big portion of my stomach - Does that mean it's a double-big bug? Who knows? It had started to overwhelm my system, but I'm feeling pretty much back to normal (not sure if that's good or bad) now. I have to shoot myself full of antibiotics every six hours for the next two weeks or so using the latest dual-ported pic line, complete with dangly pigtail extensions so I can perform the procedure by myself. Not too sexy, but it beats the other option, which was to go to a skilled nursing facility and hang out there for a couple of weeks - I don't think so...
Anyway, back to work! The weather is getting better. The warmth and sunshine are calling. Kadrey & Jaxson will be playing soccer & T-ball soon, and I plan to be there to watch. The family reunion is set for mid-July and I don't plan to be laying here in bed for it. Onward and upward!
Apparently some nasty bacteria were rollicking on my stomach, ventured too close to the 'black hole', fell into the abyss, couldn't climb out, so decided to dig their way out via China. The result was a trip to the emergency room and a five-day stay at the same hospital that was trying to kill me last summer (at least that's how I remember it). Actually, there was an upside to the experience: I got to meet a lot of the people who worked on me in August. Most of them seemed genuinely pleased to see me, although I think all of them were shocked and amazed that I am still alive. It was very interesting.
Even though I am trying hard to be a kinder, gentler me, I still have this little dark place deep down that is hoping that the doctors who spent two weeks trying to convince Roz to withdraw life support rather than working to heal me, are choking on it right now. (Sorry, had to get it out of my system!)
I have some sort of rogue type A strep that showed up as cellulitis over a big portion of my stomach - Does that mean it's a double-big bug? Who knows? It had started to overwhelm my system, but I'm feeling pretty much back to normal (not sure if that's good or bad) now. I have to shoot myself full of antibiotics every six hours for the next two weeks or so using the latest dual-ported pic line, complete with dangly pigtail extensions so I can perform the procedure by myself. Not too sexy, but it beats the other option, which was to go to a skilled nursing facility and hang out there for a couple of weeks - I don't think so...
Anyway, back to work! The weather is getting better. The warmth and sunshine are calling. Kadrey & Jaxson will be playing soccer & T-ball soon, and I plan to be there to watch. The family reunion is set for mid-July and I don't plan to be laying here in bed for it. Onward and upward!
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Most Excellent Days!
When I came out of a month-long coma last September, my driving thoughts were of my family. I felt an overwhelming desire to be more involved in their lives, and to be able to participate with them. These are the things that have motivated me to keep working to get better.
When I came home from the hospital in December I was able to see and hold my three new grandchildren who had been born while I was hospitalized. A most excellent day!
In January I was able to attend the high school play where my son, Bryan, played in the pit orchestra. It was the first time I have been able to watch him perform in any of his many activities. A most excellent day!
Friday I watched my two oldest grandchildren (by myself) while Kazia and Dan took Kourtney to Primary Children's for her echocardiogram. I made peanut butter sandwiches for Kadrey & Jaxon and we sat at the kitchen counter eating, talking and laughing together. Even though it was a tough day with news that Kourtney has hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, lunch with the kids was a most excellent moment!
Today we went to church at Geoff and Heidi's ward, and I was able, for the very first time, to be in the circle while one of my grandchildren was blessed as Geoff blessed Houston. A most excellent day!
These are the experiences I cherish, that I fought to live for, that I work every day to have more of.
I write this more for myself, so that on those days that my knees hurt too much to even bend them, let alone walk, my body is screaming at me in protest, or my mind is in the wrong place - I will remember why it is worth it to suck it up and just do it. I think that all of us need to build into our daily routines some time to reflect on the things that make it all worthwhile. I'm sure that most of you already do that, but it hasn't been something I have done on a regular basis. It helps me.
I have been overwhelmed today by feelings of gratitude for so many blessings given to me by my loving Heavenly Father... A most excellent day!
When I came home from the hospital in December I was able to see and hold my three new grandchildren who had been born while I was hospitalized. A most excellent day!
In January I was able to attend the high school play where my son, Bryan, played in the pit orchestra. It was the first time I have been able to watch him perform in any of his many activities. A most excellent day!
Friday I watched my two oldest grandchildren (by myself) while Kazia and Dan took Kourtney to Primary Children's for her echocardiogram. I made peanut butter sandwiches for Kadrey & Jaxon and we sat at the kitchen counter eating, talking and laughing together. Even though it was a tough day with news that Kourtney has hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, lunch with the kids was a most excellent moment!
Today we went to church at Geoff and Heidi's ward, and I was able, for the very first time, to be in the circle while one of my grandchildren was blessed as Geoff blessed Houston. A most excellent day!
These are the experiences I cherish, that I fought to live for, that I work every day to have more of.
I write this more for myself, so that on those days that my knees hurt too much to even bend them, let alone walk, my body is screaming at me in protest, or my mind is in the wrong place - I will remember why it is worth it to suck it up and just do it. I think that all of us need to build into our daily routines some time to reflect on the things that make it all worthwhile. I'm sure that most of you already do that, but it hasn't been something I have done on a regular basis. It helps me.
I have been overwhelmed today by feelings of gratitude for so many blessings given to me by my loving Heavenly Father... A most excellent day!
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