All Kinds of Updates… Most of ‘em Funny

Where does the time go? Tomorrow is June 1 and so much has been happening that I hardly know where to begin.

Let’s start with a surgery update.

#1. This sign was made by my niece’s pre-school class. How cute is that?

#2. The juicy details. I was supposed to be at the hospital in Elizabeth City at 8:30. “EXCELLENT! First one in, and no need to worry about starving all day!” Yeah sure. We (Me, Chip, my Mom & Dad) got up at 5:30 to get ready. At 7:00am I got a call saying that Dr Thai, my neurosurgeon, had an emergency surgery, and hold off until 1:00. “Oh, and don’t forget! Nothing to eat or drink!” Damn. I went back to bed for a while, and then we were off. The hospital in EC is about an hour and 15 minutes away, and the drive felt like forever.

We were a smidge early but they wasted no time in getting me prepped: hospital gown, open in the back so my ass would stick out; weirdo leggings that were none too sexy (actually, at the end I liked ‘em! They filled with air and massaged my legs so I wouldn’t get a clot); IV in the vein closest to my wrist so every time I moved it moved… oh, yeah, “… nothing to eat or drink!”

The 4 of us hung out in the little room chatting over the fire drill activity for hours. At first it was annoying, then it became really, really funny. To me. Have a listen…

C’mon! That’s just funny!

(Note to self: you cannot shoot a video holding the camera like you are taking a portrait photo – stop doing that!)

The anesthesiologist & OR nurse came in to get me about 3:00. No, not 1:00, but 3:00. We got the run down on what was going to happen,and my mom asked a bunch of good questions that I can’t remember. They were just raising the gates on the gurney when the gas-man gets a phone call. As it turns out, this hospital only has 1 surgical team on staff after 3:00… and he had to go do an emergency C-section! OK, my first delay was to keep a woman from being paralyzed by a brain tumor. I get that. I’m good with that. The 2nd delay is to bring a new baby into the world. I’m OK with that… what was not OK with it was my stomach. They didn’t come back to get me until… wait for it… SIX O’CLOCK!! URGH!

I was in surgery for 2 hours and woke-up in recovery just 15 minutes before American Idol was ending. Could they get me back in my room to see the end… not a chance. The good news was that my arm was 100% pain free, and the leg-massage-thingies were feeling pretty good.

Chip stayed with me all night, sleeping in 3 chairs pushed together. It occurred to me that I was resting with Chip, the Angel of Death, (he was with Pop Sr., and Aunt Mill when they died) but quickly put that out of my head. He helped me get to the bathroom a few times, and you know how Chip is with bathroom issues. He must really love me. A lot.

I was released after lunch and we headed home. Mom and Dad were a huge help, even though I acted like a total bitch the whole time they were here. The weather was cold, windy, and overall crappy, and I felt guilty that they couldn’t get out and play. And Mom loads the dishwasher wrong. You know I have issues with that. This old post proves it: http://colleensobxblog.blogspot.com/2007/11/loading-dishwasher-makes-me-nuts.html Between Chip & my parents, I was in overload. “Col, don’t do that.” “Col, you should put your neck brace back on.” “Don’t lift that.” “Don’t do that.” “What do you want to do for dinner.” I just couldn’t take it. I’m not good at being sick and I was way overboard on meds and totally uncomfortable.

To Mom, Dad, Chip, and everyone I was mean to: I’m sorry I was nasty. I didn’t mean it. I appreciate your kindness and care. I was a monster.

On the Saturday after my surgery (4 days), my Dad’s birthday, the 3 of us took 30 minutes to drop by our local Relay for Life event. It rained all morning and the turn-out wasn’t so hot. We got there about 4:00, just in time for the Survivor’s Lap. I hung back, and Mom and Dad, hand-in-hand, walked the lap together, sporting their SURVIVOR and Caregiver ensembles. Mom was pretty emotional, and I was just crazy proud to know that she is still healthy and kicking Cancer’s ass.

This is my friend, Colleen Shriver. Her sister was a victim of Cancer, and died several years ago. She and I have managed to team-up on a lot of things these past few months. Where you see one Colleen, you usually see the other. (My neck brace is rockin’, huh?)

Anyway… Relay came and went. As of this this e-mail, I have raised $2,456.66 for the American Cancer Society,and am the #4 fundraiser for my whole county. Thank you all for supporting me. I swear, I’ll get thank you notes out once my handwriting is back to normal!!

My friends, Carol & Ted stopped in that weekend and stayed a night. They went to a wedding in VA Beach and came down for a visit. That was great.

Then they left.

Then Mom & Dad left.

Then, Chip’s niece Jamie, her husband, and 3 month old baby, Chase, and 2 of Jamie’s friends came in for Memorial Day weekend. They come every year. It was nice having a new distraction for my husband, as he was near to experiencing a “postal” moment. The girls did most of the work and I was happy to have a chance to continue to rest.

Oh yeah, here’s our great-nephew. How cute is he??!! Everyone fought over him. He Is SUCH a happy baby! It was a HUGE bummer that I couldn’t babysit and allow all the adults a good night on the town, but I couldn’t lift anything over 10 pounds. And ,thanks to Jamie, everyone heard, “Oh, he’s over 10 pounds now!!” What a proud mom. A-hem.

Anyway, I went back to work last week, and I can’t say it was easy. I have good range of motion with my head & neck, but get easily fatigued. I’m still loosing a lot of hair (“from the anesthesia,” so my hair dresser warned me) and that’s not so great. BUT, I am pain-free and have been SHOCKED by how many people have reached out to me. I really do enjoy this community.

I think this is all probably TMI, so I’m stopping here. Continue to check back, I promise I’ll be better at leaving you a little something to distract you on your busy day.

SMILES, Col

OH YEAH! I also won $200 in the American Idol pool this year! Finally, I was a winner! Go KRIS ALLEN! WOO HOO! ;-)