One Less Organ

One week ago, I was pulling myself out of bed at 4:45 a.m. to be at the hospital by 5:30 a.m. for my 7:30 a.m. surgery. I was there for laparoscopic cholecystectomy (the fancy name for laparoscopic gallbladder surgery) and an umbilical hernia repair. I found out I had gall stones and an umbilical hernia when Danny was in Singapore, but obviously couldn't have the surgery at the time. And then well.....I just put it off.

I don't sign up for surgery easily and I absolutely hate being "put under", I tend to have the worst lingering affects with anesthesia, but this time around I was completely surprised by how well I coped. The first few days were mostly uncomfortable, but so far the recovery has been a lot easier than expected. My doctor has given me a six week recovery period (due to the hernia), no lifting anything over 10 lbs, no sauna, no baths (yes I can shower), no swimming, no gym and no fatty foods, but it is really hard to imagine it will take that long. And seriously, no pool, is she crazy? we do live in Texas and it is 100 degrees, that is something I will be questioning at my follow-up next week.

One positive note of having surgery was my mom being able to come stay with us and help out with Brynn and Braden. They were both ecstatic to have her here and kept her very busy (busier than she expected, I think). There were presents, a couple trips to McDonald's, playtime, movie watching and lots of pool time in the backyard. My mom also brought her dog Foxie along, who probably wished she was left behind in New Mexico because Braden tormented her every chance he got!

Besides playing with the kids, cooking, doing laundry and keeping my house picked up, my mom also managed to do the unimaginable with Mr. Braden; she got him to pee in the big-boy potty. Now I have been working with this kid for a couple weeks, he peed once for me, and it was on our living room rug (after sitting on the toilet for 45 minutes). She shows up with a wrapped present and tells him if you pee in the potty, you get to open the present. Well...Braden literally wasted no time and peed for her and then peed again and again and again! Sure, she promised McDonald's and bribed him with "treats", but I tried the same thing and got nothing but a ruined rug (or wait...maybe I got a new rug.) Anyhow, I am very grateful he is excited and willing to go in the big-boy toilet. Thanks Mom! I am already thinking about all the money we will be saving on diapers.

So all and all my first week of recovery has been pretty good, the hardest part is sleeping (comfortably), not being able to drive, not being able to eat what I want, tiring easily and forgetting and doing something I shouldn't have (you quickly know when this has happened). It has been frustrating at times, but I am sure in the end it will all be worth it when I am pain free and hopefully enjoying food again.

On a side note, I have become addicted to the ridiculous show, Jeresylicious (which I never watched before this last week) which is exactly why I fear big hair, bronzer and animal prints.