I've been MIA for some time. There are many reasons ranging from mental to medical. I don't care to discuss the mental right now, so we'll talk medical.
In the past year, I've had six, SIX surgeries. I don't blame my surgeon(s)...I blame my lame body. I don't heal well. For the past two months, I knew something was wrong but delayed seeking a medical opinion because I was 99% sure it would involve yet another surgical procedure. I started with my PCP who found "inflamation" and punted me to the plastic surgeon who operated and put me back on the wound vac. Fun. He insisted that there was no new hernia and suggested I see my bypass surgeon. Evil insurance took way too long to approve a CT scan so we ended up going to the ER this past Monday. This resulted in an overnight stay with lots of IV Dilaudid.
Results? Large ventral hernia...again. The good news is that it is "big enough to drive a truck through" which translates into it is unlikely any bowel will strangulate. Yeah. Pain? Hellish.
Punted to NEW plastic surgeon who gave me four options for repair: do nothing, repair with mesh, repair with pig mesh, or total abdominal rebuild. BTDT with mesh and have no desire to have any part of a pig placed in my belly. Doing nothing would mean pain control and I need to live my life wide open. So, we are opting for total abdominal rebuild. Not a tummy tuck, but a wide open procedure where they pull good muscle together to reinforce said belly. It will be an awful painful recovery...but I have to look ahead to summer...to working again.
Our appointment with the new plastics surgeon is today and hope to at least walk away with an approximate surgical date. They have to coordinate the surgery with my Bypass surgeon because he has to be present to make sure everything is A-ok in there.
Because the Gods didn't feel that I had been through enough, the CT showed a mass on one of my ovaries. Thanks for that. That will be addressed in six weeks with an ultrasound. Gyn Surgeon is aggressive and said if it is still there, she wants to remove it. Nope, can't do it in conjunction with my non-tummy tuck...so possibly another surgery is coming. Thanks again.
Lilliput is kicking butt in first grade. Math appears to be her favorite subject but she aces every spelling test and reads everything she can get her hands on. Her taste in TV has moved from Sprout and Nick to Tom and Jerry, Scooby Doo, The Jetsons...makes me feel a little better.
I keep busy looking for a job and reading. Our king-size bed has become my home within my home. David moved upstairs because he hates this mattress. This means my bed has become my desk, mail depot and cat bed. As long as Moe stays on one square inch in the top right, Mabel will allow him on the bed. If he moves anywhere close to her, she immediately wakes and gives him the old lady smack down. She's so cranky these days.
I've become addicted to Discovery ID. I'm sick of the news. I still watch it because I have to know what's going on...but I discovered that I was becoming increasingly angry when I watched too much news.
I will end here. I will try to share a few books I'm reading right now. They are helping me cope with all the crappy things going on in my life...and making me look at the good and precious things and people that surround me.
Peace.
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Friday, December 26, 2008
"The best Christmas EVER!"
That's exactly what Lilliput told me today. I felt so proud. We had a self-imposed lean Christmas since I had lost my job and our income took a drastic nosedive. We didn't buy for each other although we did end up getting something small. I got him an I*tunes gift card and I picked out some Ru**ermaid storage containers.
Once we wrapped Lilliputs gifts, I panicked because there wasn't much under the tree. However, we bought smartly getting only two items she asked for (accordion and guitar). The other gifts were games, mosaic travel unit, mosaic designs to color and HUGE set of markers, Cr*cs were 50% off so I got her two pair, one outfit for school, and a few games that will be challenging for her. All things she enjoys. As you see, it wasn't much...so when she told me it was the best Christmas ever, I was truly proud. Of her, and of us.
We are going on a 7-day cruise with my whole family in February. We've been trying to scrape together the spending money for this trip. Our trip is paid for. My parents are taking the whole family as a celebration of their 50th anniversary. We are really excited and know that Lilliput will have so much fun with her cousin and will get to go to the beach!
Thus, our Christmas was lean. We spent the second half of the day with his family and it was unusually enjoyable. Lilliput was lavished with gifts from aunts, uncles, and cousins. We had made everyone aware that we would not be buying for anyone but Lilliput and asked them to please honor our request for no gifts this year. We just couldn't afford it. We were blessed despite our request. Instead of feeling angry or embarrassed that our request was not observed...I accepted their generosity with graciousness and appreciation. That's what family is for.
We've had quality family time with Lilliput and we still have two days to go! I hope to do some more baking with Lilliput on Sunday. I'm catching up on laundry and digging out summer clothes to get ready for the cruise.
We have found childcare so that He and I can go out alone for our 9th anniversary on the 30th. I'm hoping for a dinner and a movie...but we'll see. He still has to work next week as does the family that Lilliput will be staying with. We'll see...I'm all about being lean right now.
I hope everyone has had a blessed Christmas!
Once we wrapped Lilliputs gifts, I panicked because there wasn't much under the tree. However, we bought smartly getting only two items she asked for (accordion and guitar). The other gifts were games, mosaic travel unit, mosaic designs to color and HUGE set of markers, Cr*cs were 50% off so I got her two pair, one outfit for school, and a few games that will be challenging for her. All things she enjoys. As you see, it wasn't much...so when she told me it was the best Christmas ever, I was truly proud. Of her, and of us.
We are going on a 7-day cruise with my whole family in February. We've been trying to scrape together the spending money for this trip. Our trip is paid for. My parents are taking the whole family as a celebration of their 50th anniversary. We are really excited and know that Lilliput will have so much fun with her cousin and will get to go to the beach!
Thus, our Christmas was lean. We spent the second half of the day with his family and it was unusually enjoyable. Lilliput was lavished with gifts from aunts, uncles, and cousins. We had made everyone aware that we would not be buying for anyone but Lilliput and asked them to please honor our request for no gifts this year. We just couldn't afford it. We were blessed despite our request. Instead of feeling angry or embarrassed that our request was not observed...I accepted their generosity with graciousness and appreciation. That's what family is for.
We've had quality family time with Lilliput and we still have two days to go! I hope to do some more baking with Lilliput on Sunday. I'm catching up on laundry and digging out summer clothes to get ready for the cruise.
We have found childcare so that He and I can go out alone for our 9th anniversary on the 30th. I'm hoping for a dinner and a movie...but we'll see. He still has to work next week as does the family that Lilliput will be staying with. We'll see...I'm all about being lean right now.
I hope everyone has had a blessed Christmas!
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Nifty find...
I thought these were adorable. I was lucky to find the pair! They are approximately 5" high and through research, I found out they were made in the early- to mid-60's.
They would be ideal for an altered art shadow box project.
If anyone is interested, email me. If not, I'll list them in my Etsy Store over the weekend.
I'm hoping to get a little sunshine today so I can take additional pictures outside.
Saturday, December 13, 2008
Time slips away...
Bad mama.
10 December marked our sixth anniversary of meeting Lilliput for the first time in China. Bad mama. Time flies! In my defense, we've all had a virus. Mr. Trixie and Lilliput only lasted a few days...but mama? I'm going on TWO weeks.
Happy GOTCHA Day Lilliput!
Our flight over wasn't too bad. However, we were late leaving LA thus our layover Guangzhou was depleted. Fortunately, we made the connection and arrived at The Dolton in Changsha, Hunan with only 45 minutes to spare. I managed to hop in the shower to freshen up and we made it down to the conference room with time to spare. The room was hot and packed with other families. When we heard those babies screeching when the elevator doors opened, it was so difficult to stay seated and wait. We had waited 14 months and Lilliput was within earshot.
We were the 5th family called and we proceeded to the front of the room. Lilliput was as calm as can be. She was 6 1/2 months old (the youngest of our group) and was just taking in the surroundings. When they handed her to me...she just looked at me. I had brought just one item (a small brightly colored elephant that "rattled") and showed it to her. She would glance at it, then at me. We had to clear the front of the room for the remaining families so we took our seats again. I just wanted to look at her, make eye contact, and let her daddy hold her. However, Lilliput promptly stuck two fingers in her mouth and laid her head on my shoulder. She was my baby. I could not have possibly loved another human being so much.
After sitting in the hot room for another 45 minutes, we were excused to our room. We promptly took her out of her warm clothes to let her cool off. At this point, she had made no noises. When we laid her down to put a diaper on, she wailed! Everything was so surreal. We had plans to meet up with another couple downstairs for dinner...so we dressed her, put her in a snuggly and headed down. Dinner was very short as nothing on the menu was recognizable. We paid for our D*et Cokes and went back to the room.
Lilliput could not sit up or roll over on her own. We had so much fun with her despite the fact that she was pretty much shut down. The ride from her Orphanage had taken six hours. We fed her and changed her into her PJ's and put her to bed.
The next morning...totally different baby. Happy. Smiling. Cooing. Chanting "mamamama" which Mr. Trixie took offense at. We were in love!
While we were prepared (and educated) for some issues we might encounter, Lilliput was nothing but perfect! By the time we left Changsha, she was both sitting up unassisted AND rolling over.
People often talk about no adoption story is all rainbows and unicorns...but ours couldn't be more perfect. Lilliput was such an easy, happy baby and is an easy, happy little girl. Dreams do come true. God knew that I needed an easy baby and he sure delivered!
Later today, I'll post some pictures of our referral and some from our China trip.
Lilliput, you are an amazing little girl. I am so proud to be your mama. I wish I could take credit for how you turned out, but the fact is God made you and delivered you to us. We love you so much!!
10 December marked our sixth anniversary of meeting Lilliput for the first time in China. Bad mama. Time flies! In my defense, we've all had a virus. Mr. Trixie and Lilliput only lasted a few days...but mama? I'm going on TWO weeks.
Happy GOTCHA Day Lilliput!
Our flight over wasn't too bad. However, we were late leaving LA thus our layover Guangzhou was depleted. Fortunately, we made the connection and arrived at The Dolton in Changsha, Hunan with only 45 minutes to spare. I managed to hop in the shower to freshen up and we made it down to the conference room with time to spare. The room was hot and packed with other families. When we heard those babies screeching when the elevator doors opened, it was so difficult to stay seated and wait. We had waited 14 months and Lilliput was within earshot.
We were the 5th family called and we proceeded to the front of the room. Lilliput was as calm as can be. She was 6 1/2 months old (the youngest of our group) and was just taking in the surroundings. When they handed her to me...she just looked at me. I had brought just one item (a small brightly colored elephant that "rattled") and showed it to her. She would glance at it, then at me. We had to clear the front of the room for the remaining families so we took our seats again. I just wanted to look at her, make eye contact, and let her daddy hold her. However, Lilliput promptly stuck two fingers in her mouth and laid her head on my shoulder. She was my baby. I could not have possibly loved another human being so much.
After sitting in the hot room for another 45 minutes, we were excused to our room. We promptly took her out of her warm clothes to let her cool off. At this point, she had made no noises. When we laid her down to put a diaper on, she wailed! Everything was so surreal. We had plans to meet up with another couple downstairs for dinner...so we dressed her, put her in a snuggly and headed down. Dinner was very short as nothing on the menu was recognizable. We paid for our D*et Cokes and went back to the room.
Lilliput could not sit up or roll over on her own. We had so much fun with her despite the fact that she was pretty much shut down. The ride from her Orphanage had taken six hours. We fed her and changed her into her PJ's and put her to bed.
The next morning...totally different baby. Happy. Smiling. Cooing. Chanting "mamamama" which Mr. Trixie took offense at. We were in love!
While we were prepared (and educated) for some issues we might encounter, Lilliput was nothing but perfect! By the time we left Changsha, she was both sitting up unassisted AND rolling over.
People often talk about no adoption story is all rainbows and unicorns...but ours couldn't be more perfect. Lilliput was such an easy, happy baby and is an easy, happy little girl. Dreams do come true. God knew that I needed an easy baby and he sure delivered!
Later today, I'll post some pictures of our referral and some from our China trip.
Lilliput, you are an amazing little girl. I am so proud to be your mama. I wish I could take credit for how you turned out, but the fact is God made you and delivered you to us. We love you so much!!
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Food Experiment
I'm one of those cooks who hates following a recipe when cooking. Baking? I ALWAYS following the recipe. Cooking? Not so much.
Because I'm trying to pinch pennies since I'm no longer working...I was able to pick up two huge london broils yesterday. I've never done anything with them in the kitchen as we always grill them. However, hubs refuses to grill when there is snow on the ground. Whatever.
I've looking through some online recipes to put one said (very lean) hunk-o-meat in the slow cooker today. It involves cream of mushroom soup, tomato soup, onions, and onion soup mix. I'll fake it and let you know how it turns out.
Because I'm trying to pinch pennies since I'm no longer working...I was able to pick up two huge london broils yesterday. I've never done anything with them in the kitchen as we always grill them. However, hubs refuses to grill when there is snow on the ground. Whatever.
I've looking through some online recipes to put one said (very lean) hunk-o-meat in the slow cooker today. It involves cream of mushroom soup, tomato soup, onions, and onion soup mix. I'll fake it and let you know how it turns out.
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Turkey Day Menu
Ha!
We're heading over to Mr. Trixie's brother's house for the big day. Because of my recent run-in with a knife to my mid-section, I'm only required to bring one dish. Trixie's Famous Corn. I hear the cream cheese and jalapenos beckoning from upstairs.
However, because of my narcotics and muscle relaxers, I'm feeling generous. To this, I'm taking TWO Tollhouse Pies and one sinful Carrot Cake with CREAM CHEESE frosting. Okay, we're giving one of the pies to some dear friends.
Hope everyone enjoys their turkey day!!
Trixie & family
We're heading over to Mr. Trixie's brother's house for the big day. Because of my recent run-in with a knife to my mid-section, I'm only required to bring one dish. Trixie's Famous Corn. I hear the cream cheese and jalapenos beckoning from upstairs.
However, because of my narcotics and muscle relaxers, I'm feeling generous. To this, I'm taking TWO Tollhouse Pies and one sinful Carrot Cake with CREAM CHEESE frosting. Okay, we're giving one of the pies to some dear friends.
Hope everyone enjoys their turkey day!!
Trixie & family
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