. . . All My Chaosity . . .

But I only stayed for Sacrament meeting. *We* only stayed for Sacrament. I was traumatized and had to go home, and B really hates to go without me. He did go back for TWO HOUR CHOIR PRACTICE at 2:00pm though. D and I watched Christmas movies on TV (The Santa Claus, Santa Claus 2, etc.).

For a while there, like the entire first week home, I wasn't altogether certain I was actually going to live through it. I seriously underestimated the amount of pain I would be in as well as the amount of tolerance I could muster up for thick high protein shakes. Fortunately every day has been an improvement this week, and fortunately before my pain medication ran out. I was extremely concerned the pills would run out before the pain did. My back still hurts when I stand up too long, but I reckon that's a good reason for B to load and unload the dishwasher when it needs doing. I purchased some fabulous cookbooks I'm dying to try. Next Tuesday (2/02) I go for my 2-week check up and will hopefully "graduate" to "soft foods" (right now I'm enjoying high protein CLEAR FRUIT drinks and water, thank you very much). So I'll be high protein and avoiding potatoes, rice pasta and breads from here on out, but I'm good with it. There's even a ...

So yesterday it seemed that annoying pain in my lower right abdomen was easing off a bit. Since we have company coming today, and B doesn't seem too keen on getting the house in order, I decided to finish loading the dishwasher and run it. After I made D & B's lunches for the school fieldtrip yesterday. After I got D out of bed and dressed, and convinced B to make pancakes for them both. As I was walking down the other long hallway in our home, I happened upon the "guest" bedroom and bath. And I thought how Becky's house is always nice and clean, so I put away some stuff in the guest bedroom (basket on top of armoir, beads in drawer, some stuff in the closet) and wiped down the bathroom countertops with lysol wipes. Needless to say, this morning the pain has returned. Possibly not as bad as it was Wednesday night and Thursday morning (before I doubled up on pain meds), but definitely worse than yesterday morning. Poor Becky & Family will have to deal ...

Since the girls in the office told me they left the hospital not even taking pain meds, I figured I wouldn't need them much. I was SERIOUSLY mistaken. I haven't been able to stand up straight for 2 days, and barely able to walk at all. I finally took two pain pills a couple hours ago- and can finally function as more than a zombie. Hallelujah, really.

I'm SO tired and sore, but I'm finally home from the hospital and it looks like I'm going to live. So far so good, anyway. I'm mucho relieved that he was able to complete it laparoscopically, I was terrified he would have some issue that would cause him to convert to open. The IV was traumatizing- but at least she only stuck me twice this time before she got it in (4x if you count that numbing stuff- which I hope to remember to tell them to skip the next time... it doesn't numb, and I end up with more sticks than if they just did it straight). Seems like it took me awhile to come out of anesthesia this time- surgery was over at 1:30pm and I don't recall actually being cognizant until 6:00pm or so. Spent the first night in SICU; and Bryson, Celeste and Melanie visited. I've started 'stage 2 diet' (2oz high protein drink on the hour, then 1oz water ever 15 mins in between). I have not had any nausea yet (*crosses fingers*) and no vomiting thus fa...

I wrote a longish drawn out post the other day, earlier this week, and evidently I didn't ever post it. Can't imagine where it went? Tomorrow is surgery and now I'm sort of nervous. We met w/the surgeon on Tuesday. I have the book he gives all his patients, that described in some detail the procedures, the diet plan for: the week before, the day before, while in the hospital, the day after surgery, the second day after surgery, the next two weeks, then the 3 months after that (no kidding). In said booklet it informed that the week prior to surgery I would need to cut out most simple carbs and sugars, and strive for lean high protein (no carbonated drinks,no caffeinated drinks, etc....). So that's what I was expecting him to reiterate the week prior to surgery. He didn't. He said he recently found that a mostly high protein liquid diet the week prior to surgery was more helpful; cut some of the fat from the liver for easier access, makes the stomach and intest...

A little more excited... still somewhat anxious So B and I met with the actual surgeon yesterday. We were there for several hours, along with two other women who are having the gastric sleeve done the two days after my surgery. They let us try the chocolate 'bariatric advantage' protein supplement (shake, basically) but it was at room temp and I didn't love it. I purchased some packets of the vanilla and banana flavors, and they're lots better COLD. We also had to meet with the nurse, and he changed up the week-before-surgery-diet. Originally they said we would need to eat low fat, lean meats, low carbs, low starch, etc... Now it's just 2-3 liquid protein drinks per day plus one solid meal consisting of 3-4 oz of lean meat, 1/2 c starch and 1 c vegetable. I AM HUNGRY, but I haven't had my thiurd shake or solid meal today. Huh, and it is after6pm so that could explain it I guess. BRB, gonna mix up a yummy shake! Deucey at a friend's Birthday partry!

Halloween wasn't horrible, and my Birthday was actually kind of fabulous! Somehow, I think I totally neglected to take any pictures of the three of us. I'm usually pretty good about taking loads of pics, I'm not entirely certain what happened. Maybe there's some on the camera or one of the phones. This year we (read: I ) were a little put out that with the splitting of our ward, we can no longer have Halloween Trunk-or-Treat (OR 4th of July, but that's another rant) with "Springdale Ward". Elder Bednar came earlier this year to split our Stake and then our Ward, so we officially live within the boundaries of the "Har-ber Ward" now. So we had a party/carnival at a ward member's home instead. Our D. decided to be a Storm Trooper (or clone trooper? one or the other) this year and I was, as usual, a witch. With pink hair. B. was a wizard, so we could kinda match. I'm always and only a witch, so perhaps he will continue to be a wizard. ...

I am completely exhausted, oddly. Slept all night- had a pretty decent day yesterday- don't know what the problem could be. I even remembered the "fall back" thing. So Friday was Halloween. We went to The First Tee activity (all 3 of us in costume) and Deucey played 15 holes of golf and won candy/prizes. That took like over an hour. Then we went to Sonic for free hotdogs and drinks, but the one nearest our home would only donate to Deucey's cause. We stupidly purchased food there for Bryson and me, but I'll think that through better next time. The other Sonic in town- not even 2 miles I reckon from our home, asked us how many hotdogs and cokes we wanted! I'll remember that. Then we went to the ward Halloween party/carnival at the Scates house. We stayed for what seemed like quite a while, and Deucey played the games and 'won' about 4 pieces of candy, then ran around with Peyton the rest of the time. Got bored with that pretty quick, so we we...