Thousand Gifts 144-170

So today's update is from me! I'm finally able to concentrate long enough to write a blog post (over several hours), and I feel like it's been so long since I "talked" that I don't even know where to start. (Anyone want to count the number of times I say wonderful and sweet during this post?)

I think I should probably start with how overwhelmed I am with my fellow adoptive parents, scrapping and photography buddies. It's amazing how sweet you have all been to me, and we've never even met. The emails, cards, and messages have been so uplifting and have brought tears and smiles to my face so many times. And, of course, the people I know in "real" life have also been so supportive and sweet.

Second, all major tubes are gone! It's probably a good thing that I was unable to blog last week because the posts would have been full of complaints over the tubes coming out of my body. The big one in my nose as well as the unmentionable one have been removed, and it's amazing how much better I feel with them gone. I'm still attached to an IV tube with lots of medicine, some drains, and my beloved morphine pump, but I'm now strong enough to brush my teeth or wash my hands on my own, and that feels a.m.a.z.i.n.g.

I think Becky mentioned that my surgery ended up being more extensive than we had hoped and without going into too many details, I have a 10-12 inch stapled incision on my abdomen. They did a complete hysterectomy as well as took out a foot of my colon and did some bowel resectioning. Sounds like a good time, doesn't it? Well, let me just say it's about as fun as it sounds. I haven't been able to have anything to eat or drink. They briefly let me have ice chips yesterday, but quickly took them away when they made me sick. Ice chips! At this point, we're waiting for my digestive system to start waking up and I'll probably be here until at least Wednesday. We have a long road ahead of us when it comes to beating the cancer, and our doctors have taken the viewpoint that we'll have a long talk and deal with the tougher issues a little later. The focus right now is recovering from surgery. Brian and I have decided that ignorance is bliss for now.

Honestly, though, I am feeling stronger every day, am becoming a marathon runner doing laps around the nurse's station, and one of these days just might be able to get up and out of bed without it being a major ordeal in my day. :)

My room is covered in beautiful flowers, and the nurses and doctors and other patients all stop in to say how great our floor smells from the flowers. Well, okay, two of the doctors complained because it messes with their allergies, but they didn't say we had to take them down so I'm going to enjoy every second of them.

And there's no way I could blog and not mention my family. They have been so wonderful to take care of the kids and to take care of us. We haven't had to worry about any of the normal day-to-day details of life, and I have loved every second of the family time. It's been a special blessing to have Becky here and while I hate that we share this cancer bond, she understands in a way that no one else could. My brother came just to be on kid-duty, and my poor mom is here for the duration. I have a feeling she's going to become a close and personal friend with my laundry room and kitchen. The kiddos are having a difficult time - things happened so quickly that we were unable to adequate prepare them for the fact that we would be gone for a week. We've seen them a couple of times, but I was absolutely unable to see them the first several days. Brian is trying to show them extra attention and just try to help them deal with this, but we can see they are struggling, and it's hard to watch.

And, finally, Brian, who is a complete rock star. He's always been a good care-taker even when I've just had a simple cold, and he is wonderful when I can do nothing on my own. I am just so blessed to have him, and there's no way to adequately express that.

I've actually taken lots of pictures of the last few days, but I don't have a way to upload them so pictures might be scarce until I make it home. Here's one Becky took the morning after surgery with Brian and my new toy. Yes, Brian went out the very morning after surgery and bought me a new iPad. I'm still learning what it can do, but am loving my new toy!

144. Psalm 39:6 "We are merely moving shadows, and all our busy rushing ends in nothing."

145. big fluffy white clouds

146. for the idea that "life is dessert"

147. reassuring doctors

148. for family who drops everything to be with me

149. for the oblivion drugs bring when your family is being told bad news

150. for Rory who says, "mama, I just LOVE your new gown."

151. for beautiful, beautiful flowers from friends

152. a room with a view

132. for a hairstyling and make-up session from Becky right before a group of visitors

154. the smell of lilies

155. late night visits from friends
156. family who drive lots of hours just to spend a couple of hours with me

157. a husband who is willing to take care of me in every possible way

158. for oscillating fans

159. sweet pea and violet lotion

160. emails from friends

161. cards from friends who looked up Gigi's cucakes for me and sent me sweet vibes

162. internet access

163. sweet night nurses

164. coffee delivered to your room - this would be for Brian, by the way :)

165. a kind pat on the shoulder from a compassionate nurse

166. Benadryl that allows me to sleep despite the 4-5 interruptions a night

167. church family who are providing meals

168. online friends, who are some of the best friends you can have even when you've never met in person

169. clean hospital gowns

(one of these days I might get to put my own clothes back on, but it's gonna be a while!)

170. gigantic homemade cards from the kids at church