A rough time & a huge Thank You

Last night and this morning were a nightmare. I was having pelvic pain that was quite strong and there was nothing that I could do to relieve it. I tossed and turned most of the night and well into the morning. Finally, I called the doctor to see what I should do.

There are still no openings in the surgery schedule to move my surgery up. They called in a few medications to help with the pain. Needless to say, I'm feeling pretty darn good tonight!! Not to mention really sleepy and spaced out. Maybe I'll actually get some sleep tonight.

I want to thank my sister and sister-in-law for accepting the challenge of taking the kids for me while I have surgery and for a couple days after. It means so much to know that I won't have to focus on anyone else but myself for the first 3-4 days after surgery. I know that if the kids were here, I would end up over doing it and that is the last thing I want to do. So, even though I want to be "superwoman", I broke down and asked for help. From the bottom of my heart, thank you so very much to both of you! (and your children for sharing their momma with my kids too) When I'm back on my feet, I'll be happy to repay the favor!!

I have been asked a few questions that I'll answer here:

Do you want visitors at the hospital? Do you want visitors when you come home?
I have no problems having visitors. That would actually be very nice. However, I do ask that you are healthy, that you don't bring young children to the hospital, and that you don't expect me to entertain you. I don't know how alert I will be following the surgery during that first evening.

Surgery is scheduled for 12:30pm. I'm sure Tim could use some company while waiting for me to be finished and out of recovery. Right now, we are planning on Tim going into work after I am in my room. If you would like to come up and sit with me after he has to leave, that is fine too. I'm not sure if I'll be awake or not though as I don't know how much pain medication I'll be on.

As far as having visitors after I'm home, all I ask is that you give us a call before coming over. I would like to rest as much as possible but I am sure there will be times that I'd love to have visitors too. Feel free to give us a call on our cell phones if you are thinking of stopping by to find out if it's a good time to do so or not. (Please email for our cell #s)

Is there anything that you need?
First and foremost, prayers for a smooth sailing surgery, quick recovery and clear pathology report.

In addition, a close friend is putting together a list of people who would like to help with a meal (freezer, cooked, pizza, etc) for the first week or so. If you're interested in helping in that way, email Marissa at marissa5may@yahoo.com. There is no need to coordinate it with her if you wish to do it on your own though.

If you'd like to volunteer to take one of the kids for a few hours, that would be a blessing and greatly appreciated too.

If you'd like to drop off a snack or something, please keep the sweets and junk food to a minimum. Trying to recover with a house full of children who have a sugar high is no easy feat. (smile)

Other than that, I really don't know what we will need help with as I don't know what to expect. We plan to just go with the flow.

Is there anything that you don't want?
I don't expect anything!! However, I do kindly ask that you refrain from sending flowers or plants. We have three cats who adore them and love to tip them over, shred them, and eat them. If you feel the need to send something, some fresh fruit or quick and easy snack foods would be greatly appreciated (and beneficial) by the entire family!

Are you scared?
Absolutely! This is a major surgery. I feel that I am in the best hands but it is still scary anytime you have surgery, no matter how many of these they do a day.

How can we find out how you are doing?
Unless someone wants to lend me their laptop computer for me to update this blog while in the hospital, you'll have to get information the old fashioned way. By telephone! (smile) If you want someone to call you, please email us with your phone number. I will do my best to have someone update this blog sometime after surgery, but there is no guarantee.

It's time for me to put the kids down to bed and rest in the recliner for a while myself. If anyone out there has some suggestions or ideas for pre or post op, please let me know. It's easy for things to slip your mind when you have so much on it already.

Again, thank you for all that you have done and for all that you have volunteered to do for us. We truly do appreciate it more than words can express.

Until next time....