Wow, crazy life right now! A few scattered thots to keep you more or less up to date:
We're moving to our new house tomorrow... this in the middle of back surgery recovery, a weekend in Toronto (we just got back yesterday) for a missions conference in which Michael preached, still showing our rental place to potential sub lessors, meetings with the youth of our church, living life with two delightful toddlers, and, and, and...!
When I have a moment or two to reflect, and I don't fall asleep, I think we are managing to find it all interesting and fun.... but still there are times that I long for a few months of "normal life", whatever that is - I'm not certain we've had any since we got married! I certainly hope this is not our normal!!
We just did the final "walk thru" of our new place. It needs painting throughout and new flooring on the main floor, but it is livable until we find some time and energy to tackle that upheaval. It will be so nice to settle there knowing we are there for over a year, God willing. It is a lovely house and I'm glad we held out for it, despite all the hassle and waiting that was involved.
I'm SO incredibly thankful that God has given us such adaptable, sunny girls who are taking all this in their stride!
I do have a few pictures - but they'll have to wait till I have a longer time to spend at the computer.
Grace and Jasmin are currently spooning beads and water from cup to cup... or were. Now I'm hearing far too many beads bouncing on the floor... the end of my computer break, I think!
Monday, September 22, 2008
We've had an interesting time since my surgery... The Saturday after my surgery Michael sprained his knee playing soccer with the youth. In the 4 years I've known him, he's never gotten hurt or hardly even sick! So why now, when I can't do anything either?!?! Fortunately we had NiNi to bail us out - she stayed with us until Wednesday, and by then Michael could limp around. Thankfully we found it more funny than terrible, even though it was rather inconvenient! The girls have done really well, and seemed to enjoy their extra freedom, but they are showing some signs of stress.
All the same, Grace has taken another big leap forward. She now works hard at zipping things:
It is very useful! She now likes to pick up her lego and zip it into its bag.
She also has jumped ahead in language, and both of them really enjoy recording themselves... you can hear one recording by downloading this file: http://www.eazypaper.com/binary/grace singing - sept 14, 2008.zip
Another favorite thing to do: enjoy library books - especially ones that are songs to be sung!
Recovery is going well for both Mommy and Daddy. We are no longer housebound as Daddy can drive now, and Mommy is learning the new discipline of doing very little even though it no longer hurts. We are very thankful for all the help we are getting, and for the quick passing of the very painful part of surgery recovery. All very good as we move into our new house come October!
All the same, Grace has taken another big leap forward. She now works hard at zipping things:
It is very useful! She now likes to pick up her lego and zip it into its bag.
She also has jumped ahead in language, and both of them really enjoy recording themselves... you can hear one recording by downloading this file: http://www.eazypaper.com/binary/grace singing - sept 14, 2008.zip
Another favorite thing to do: enjoy library books - especially ones that are songs to be sung!Recovery is going well for both Mommy and Daddy. We are no longer housebound as Daddy can drive now, and Mommy is learning the new discipline of doing very little even though it no longer hurts. We are very thankful for all the help we are getting, and for the quick passing of the very painful part of surgery recovery. All very good as we move into our new house come October!
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
This week has been... interesting so far. Monday we spent trying to finish the many things we'd like to get done before I was put out of commission by surgery. We cut it pretty fine, but did manage to finish the absolute necessities like grocery shopping!
Tuesday morning began all too normally: Jasmin stirring at 6ish, waking Grace so mommy starting the day much earlier than hopped and planned. But this time NiNi is here too, so a much easier breakfast and getting ready for the day time. I had the recommended shower with anti-bacterial soap, and said my goodbyes and we left for the hospital in the rain, leaving NiNi with 2 wailing little girls (who we knew whould be happy enough once we were properly gone!
We get to the appointed place just on time: the Surgical Daycare Center. What a name, eh? What does that make you think of? No place to send your kids, I hope! We arrive at 10am, and even though the surgery isn't scheduled until noon, I am quickly swallowed up in the system - and have to sneak out to get a quick goodbye hug from Michael. Later, lying in bed just waiting for noon, I am miffed to see other patients coming in with husbands/wives/daughters, etc. Why are they allowed when I wasn't? And I did ask specifically a number of different times.
I am prety sick of old People magazines and watching the 'traffic' by the time my turn comes. The nurse almost makes off with another girl in my place (so that armband checking IS useful!), but does take me in the end. To wait some more. This time just outside the O.R. The 'traffic' is slightly more interesting, and the heated blankets they bring me are a definte plus - such a delicious feeling of warmth and security! - especially since I have an extra 1/2 hour wait while they clean and prepare the O.R. inbetween patients.
Once inside, I am quickly prepped: blood pressure, pulse, I.V., etc. all given with cheerful talk from the nurses. Then comes the oxygen mask and I don't know anything more until it feels like 1/2 dozen people all trying to wake me up at the same time. Waking means waking to pain so I'm rather loathe to come to. Not sure how long I stayed in between the blackness and waking - but ti was long enough to exsaperate one nurse, who, after asking me for the umpteenth time about my pain levels, more or less told me off for saying I still hurt alot! "There's no way you can still be in that much pain - not after what I've given you!" is what she said. And, indeed, while she was talking, the meds did conquor pain and I could agree I didn't hurt that much any more. Five hours after leaving the ward I was back: 6 pm. Only an hour to wait before Michael could come in to see me.
While I waited, I got that first delicious sip of water - the first since 10 pm the night before! - and a face wash to get rid of the sticky gunk left from having various tubes taped down. And, believe it or not, some snoozes, even in a very busy 14 bed ward! The nurses were excellent and efficient at keeping track of 14 patients in various stages of recovery and leave taking. i'm so glad I didn't have to face leaving that evening! I could have, but I/m glad I didn't take that option. By the time Michael arrived to visit, the ward was quieter and only the overnight patients were left, so we had a short but good visit.
Staying overnight didn't actually mean more rest or sleep for me... after all, when are hospitals ever good places for sleeping? But the few times I had to tackle getting to the bathroom, etc. are something I'm glad I didn't have to face at home! By the time Michael came for me in the morning, I felt much more mobile and ready to face the world. (And surely the last shot of morphime helped too !)
So far so good at home. Grace and Jasmin have done marvelously with NiNi while mommy was gone, and continue to be happy and helpful even with mommy aroud but not doing anything. I am not attempting much at all, but stay in my lazyboy most of the time. Still, this evening of beautiful sunshine and warm weather was too much and I made it out to the park with everyone else. So glorious to be outside in the green and blue!
I hurt plenty, but already I see more movement and strength in my foot; I can know I have "hit bottom" and am working my way to recovery now; and all has gone so smoothly with the girls so far.... our hearts are very full of thanksgiving! It has happened and now we can get better and move on. PTL!
Tuesday morning began all too normally: Jasmin stirring at 6ish, waking Grace so mommy starting the day much earlier than hopped and planned. But this time NiNi is here too, so a much easier breakfast and getting ready for the day time. I had the recommended shower with anti-bacterial soap, and said my goodbyes and we left for the hospital in the rain, leaving NiNi with 2 wailing little girls (who we knew whould be happy enough once we were properly gone!
We get to the appointed place just on time: the Surgical Daycare Center. What a name, eh? What does that make you think of? No place to send your kids, I hope! We arrive at 10am, and even though the surgery isn't scheduled until noon, I am quickly swallowed up in the system - and have to sneak out to get a quick goodbye hug from Michael. Later, lying in bed just waiting for noon, I am miffed to see other patients coming in with husbands/wives/daughters, etc. Why are they allowed when I wasn't? And I did ask specifically a number of different times.
I am prety sick of old People magazines and watching the 'traffic' by the time my turn comes. The nurse almost makes off with another girl in my place (so that armband checking IS useful!), but does take me in the end. To wait some more. This time just outside the O.R. The 'traffic' is slightly more interesting, and the heated blankets they bring me are a definte plus - such a delicious feeling of warmth and security! - especially since I have an extra 1/2 hour wait while they clean and prepare the O.R. inbetween patients.
Once inside, I am quickly prepped: blood pressure, pulse, I.V., etc. all given with cheerful talk from the nurses. Then comes the oxygen mask and I don't know anything more until it feels like 1/2 dozen people all trying to wake me up at the same time. Waking means waking to pain so I'm rather loathe to come to. Not sure how long I stayed in between the blackness and waking - but ti was long enough to exsaperate one nurse, who, after asking me for the umpteenth time about my pain levels, more or less told me off for saying I still hurt alot! "There's no way you can still be in that much pain - not after what I've given you!" is what she said. And, indeed, while she was talking, the meds did conquor pain and I could agree I didn't hurt that much any more. Five hours after leaving the ward I was back: 6 pm. Only an hour to wait before Michael could come in to see me.
While I waited, I got that first delicious sip of water - the first since 10 pm the night before! - and a face wash to get rid of the sticky gunk left from having various tubes taped down. And, believe it or not, some snoozes, even in a very busy 14 bed ward! The nurses were excellent and efficient at keeping track of 14 patients in various stages of recovery and leave taking. i'm so glad I didn't have to face leaving that evening! I could have, but I/m glad I didn't take that option. By the time Michael arrived to visit, the ward was quieter and only the overnight patients were left, so we had a short but good visit.
Staying overnight didn't actually mean more rest or sleep for me... after all, when are hospitals ever good places for sleeping? But the few times I had to tackle getting to the bathroom, etc. are something I'm glad I didn't have to face at home! By the time Michael came for me in the morning, I felt much more mobile and ready to face the world. (And surely the last shot of morphime helped too !)
So far so good at home. Grace and Jasmin have done marvelously with NiNi while mommy was gone, and continue to be happy and helpful even with mommy aroud but not doing anything. I am not attempting much at all, but stay in my lazyboy most of the time. Still, this evening of beautiful sunshine and warm weather was too much and I made it out to the park with everyone else. So glorious to be outside in the green and blue!
I hurt plenty, but already I see more movement and strength in my foot; I can know I have "hit bottom" and am working my way to recovery now; and all has gone so smoothly with the girls so far.... our hearts are very full of thanksgiving! It has happened and now we can get better and move on. PTL!
Wednesday, September 03, 2008
I've gotten my (hopefully final) surgery date today! September 9th. This is such a wonderful answer... exactly what I was asking for, even though I was told it was nearly impossible to get! But God is bigger than hospital administration :o)
Hopefully we get done with potty training Grace before then :oP We've been lazily introducing the idea, but now we are focusing on it for real. No more diapers for Grace! She is doing well, but backwards: all the "harder" things like night time and naptime being dry, park time dry, number 2 pottying she has down no problem. Just the main part left :o)
Hopefully we get done with potty training Grace before then :oP We've been lazily introducing the idea, but now we are focusing on it for real. No more diapers for Grace! She is doing well, but backwards: all the "harder" things like night time and naptime being dry, park time dry, number 2 pottying she has down no problem. Just the main part left :o)
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