Star Points

Sometimes, a list is the easiest way to catch-up.

* Bubba is on the mend, but still not 100%. Now two other lil' boys at daycare are sick with the same ultra-contagious infection.
* Oh, did I mention... BigCat and I also got the virus that started it all??
* The abdominal pain is.still.here. Such high hopes I had before the procedure, and again post-stent-removal for a pain-free future. Hopefully the next meeting with my doctor (in two weeks) will turn another light on at the end of this dark tunnel.
* After careful consideration and a chat with BigCat, I have opted to complete the 3-Day in an upcoming year instead of this one. Largely because of: the above listed pain uncertainty and the initiation of a Graduate college career. It's a bit much on top of wifing, momming, working, etc. I do pledge to experience this amazing journey in my lifetime.
* My books have been delivered, paperwork completed and excitement put in check - school starts on Tuesday!!

Poor Baby Bubba

Sometimes, life takes a course of its own regardless of the plans that have been made. This weekend is a prime example of this very thing, albeit in small form. All week, Bubba had been succumbing to a nasty cold. Finally on Friday we went for a visit with the doctor. Some poking, prodding, nebulizing and xraying later Bubba was diagnosed with Bronchilitis, which is an infection of the lungs' airways (the radiologist may still diagnosis it as pneumonia). We were sent home with a nebulizer of our own, which is a thrice-daily experience, and some antibiotics to ward the infections of his lungs and left ear. This has been a weekend full of firsts for all of us with Bubba the sickest he's ever been. And needless to say, most of the plans we did have were put aside for more important things - being there when Bubba really wanted, and needed, some rest and TLC from us (especially mom :-) ). However, along with the love we're feeling from Bubba we're both feeling the cold as well.


All comfy and cute, what a sad lil' tot he was. Thankfully, his fever broke during his nap today... we're on the road to recovery.

As John Lennon stated in "Beautiful Boy" and my mom has reiterated uncountable times, "life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans". After a busy week with little - to quite little - time together as a family, we are making up for that... and it just so happens to be what we all need.

Lunch Gabber

Just wanted to let you know a couple of things. One, I went back to the doctor on Tuesday for an x-ray to see whether the two stents had passed. My mom and I had high hopes for a clean bill of health and a fun lunch date ahead. We were wrong. Instead, I was checked-in, IV'd, put under and had a tube shoved down my throat. One of the two had not passed on its own. On a high note, I'm hoping this helps to relieve the pain I continue to feel. I was very disappointed the beginning of this week when my pain was back, as it was before, but worse... it lasted all day now instead of coming and going. What was I thinking signing myself up for so much?!?!

Secondly, I wanted to let you know that tonight is the night of the dreaded dinner date with my recently reconnected, formerly estranged, friend. I say dreaded because the anxiety is a bit on the high end. I think overall it will be very good... just gotta get past this first one! I will keep you posted as to how it turns out in the end.

That's all for now folks!

Life Haps

Over the last few weeks, along with my surgery, there were some other life happenings; changes made, goals set. Obviously, I had very high expectations of becoming well.

I:

* Joined - Anytime Fitness. Remember, way back when, when I was running?!?! I haven't been exercising with the SOD factor. It's been a long, long while and I'm very excited to start a regimen again.

* Registered - For the 2009 Breast Cancer 3-Day. I feel like I'm going to be taking part in something HUGE. Something outside of my personal box. I intend for this to be one of my greatest life experiences.

* Purchased - A new cell phone. Except it's hardly a cell phone - it's a palm pilot, mp3, camera, radio, texting, surfing, amazing device. It's going to take me a year to learn its ins and outs.

* Enrolled - in school. The thought of obtaining my MBA has been with me for years... and now I'm going for it and can hardly believe it. I am so excited! Beginning March 17th, I will officially be a student again. In the past, I hesitated with a program being entirely online, however, it is the only schooling that suits my life, so I am grateful to be able to do so.

I am looking forward to this year being full of challenge, growth and excitement!

The Three R's

It's official. My time of rest, relaxation and recovery is coming to an end. Well, hopefully not the last of those three R's - I've still got a little ways to go there.

With every passing day there has been improvement in my health, well, aside from today. I think I overdid it a bit yesterday, leaving me feeling a little less well now. Usually I would have Bubba home with me since it's a wonderful Wednesday, but I opted to have him play at daycare instead. Twinges of "bad mom" run through me being I am home and have sent my Bubba to daycare, but it is the best for both of us. Plus, if a mother of six, my grandma, is the one encouraging the thought it must be a good idea... and at $8, how could it be bad??

There are still no sure signs that the procedure has done what is being hoped. The pain from the surgery is still prominent making it impossible to tell if the original discomfort is there. I do know that my nausea, which some days was worse than the pain, is getting better. That's huge.

I go now to enjoy the rest of my day. Tomorrow, along with the real world, will be here soon enough.

Diagnosis: SOD

The doc claimed the procedure was "technically sound". By the book... this was music to my ears. Diagnosis: Sphincter of Oddi dysfunction (I have found this to be at least as accurate as I would be). Two stents are in place - one relieving the duct with "abnormally high pressure". After a rough bout with some hefty pain meds, I settled on Tylenol and just taking it easy. Thank you to BigCat and my mom for enabling me to do just that the last handful of days.

My doc speaks very fast and uses words I don't understand, but regardless I'm quite certain I would have picked up on any diagnosis with 'odd' in it. However, I never heard anything about SOD until post-surgery. Since then I've done a little research and it makes perfect sense. My SOD may be directly related to, caused by, the surgery I had three years ago to remove my gallbladder - along with the very large stone in it - leaving scarring on the sphincter. Finally I feel like I'm getting the answers I've been looking for. Hopefully the pain relief will be soon to follow.

At this point, I'm moving just fast enough to blog. Still taking it easy for a couple more days and looking forward to the best results possible. As soon as the pain clears up from the procedure itself, I should know if the job is done. Thank you for the thoughts and prayers sent... they're being heard!

Power of Prayer

I told you it would go quickly... it's already the eve of my procedure day. Mixed emotions are brewing now that I'm finally slowing down and have only a nights sleep (if I'm lucky) before it's surgery time. I pray - and ask you all to as well - that everything goes smoothly tomorrow and that we achieve the desired outcome. I could be a whole new me, or at least an improved me, in the days to come. On the other hand, if it doesn't work as hoped, it will affect my life more as time goes on. But, I'll worry about that later. For now I'm settled on fretting about the fast-approaching procedure.

The daily discomfort started approximately seven months ago and has consumed too much of my life since then. It has affected my personal potential at work, and more importantly, at home. To put it in perspective, it's been a factor almost half of Bubba's life with Mama. So, I ask for your help... because I do believe in the power of prayer.