Bunn’s Prairie

Kaley is home again. However she does not have the mic-key attachment like we had hoped. Apparently there are different size tubes they can put in. The variable size being the distance from the inner lining of the skin to the opening on the intestinal wall that the surgeons built last month. Since this distance is surgeon determined, one would think they would keep a variety of these sizes in stock, or at least be confident that they could get any size needed. This is not the case. They did replace the tube with one that is slightly easier to use, it is still not a long term solution. Hopefully they will be able to order the correct part and we can try again in a few weeks. If not, I will be demanding that Fairview fix the situation surgically since it was their surgeon who installed a tube that could not be converted. I’d like to take this time to remind you that the surgeon who put in the tube in the first place did not know of the existence of these mic-key tubes (I informed him about them after the surgery when he claimed total ignorance of their existence), so one might ask themselves why Fairview would allow a surgery to be performed by someone who was obviously not qualified to perform it?

Anyhow, Kaley is home and very sore. This too shall pass.

Hi all! Off to the big house on campus tomorrow. This, I’ve been actually looking forward to (No… I’m not a hospital junkie!). IF all goes smoothly, I will have my garden hose and impaler clamp removed from my belly (their version of a “starter J-tube”), and it will be replaced with the standard Mick-ey button that is a zillion times more comfortable and so much easier to use. Yippie for that! The question is whether or not I can handle it without any sedation. With my experiences in interventional radiology, local anesthesia is about as effective as saying “Ok, on the count of three, you’ll feel a little bee sting.” My response, as of late has become, “Have you ever had this done?”

They told me I can have clear liquids until 7:30. Hmm. Vodka is clear, Captain Morgan’s is ALMOST clear. Maybe I should take up drinking for Advent. ??? Ok, You know me. Back to the juice boxes!

Maybe I’ll be in and out and home by later tomorrow. I’ll leave a post if I can. Otherwise, maybe Andy will drop a quick update. I’m going to have some applesauce (I didn’t keep dinner down), pack my little bag for tomorrow, and try to get some sleep. Just for me, cross you fingers, toes, AND your butt cheeks!

As usual, church this morning was not an option. The last few days have had some good hours, but plenty of rough ones, too. The Vikings didn’t even start winning until I got up at about one. I’m such a good luck charm! Hee!!

It’s been so long (ok, TOO long) since I’ve been actively attending to Bunn’s Prairie, that all sorts of silly headers come to mind. “On the Blog Again (Oh I just can’t wait to get…)”, “Kicked in the ass by green bean casserole” (Thanks for making me laugh, Rachel), “Get Your Head Out of that Bucket, and SING!”, “Hey girl, you got sticky buns!” (My tummy just allowed a caramel roll in a few minutes ago!)

Well I’m here. I thank Andy for leaving the little update this weekend. Things have been rough. I can’t even find a way to sugar coat that with over-cooked Halloween cookies. I have been so down and out, both literally and figuratively. I felt like I had a few months where all of my health woes were finally being given a chance to heal. Small, little baby steps, but steps all the same.

Lately, I feel as though the rug has been pulled out from under me and I have taken such a large step back that I don’t know where or how to start fighting the fight again. There have been many, many days where the nausea, once again, is so fierce that not only can’t I get out or up, I can barely hold a two-line conversation with Andy, read the newspaper, watch a movie, or enjoy some music. On these days, it seems as though the only relief I get is late at night. And then I feel alone, a little lost, and even scared.

I have felt bitterness creeping into my thoughts and heart, and that tears me into a million pieces. That is not me. My five year battle will not “be for naught”. And I will not give up. Long ago, I realized that I have two choices: 1) To fight with every part of my mind, body, and soul 2) To give up. Pretty Black and White (or Red and Green, if you’d rather). How could I ever give up the chance of life that I have been given?

Just when I felt the edges of despair gnawing at my resolve, a few of my angels have kissed my cheek with the light of love.

Tonight, I am playing “Kaley’s Childhood Christmas” CDs. It’s like wrapping a warm blanket around me. Granted, some might argue that they’re not Christmas CDs at all, but they are four records that I knew by heart before I was five. It wasn’t really until I started school that I let “Jingle Bells, Batman Smells…” slip into my repertoire.
I must go, but know that I am ready to fight once again. I made it to one Dr. appt. today, thanks to Andy’s arm and aid, and even had a respectably decent evening. Tomorrow, I am going to a dental specialist to find out what sorts of restorative and reconstructive work will need to be done to keep my choppers from deteriorating any more.

I will be back soon…

…after all, I’m like a bad habit that just won’t go away!! Thank you to all who have sent wishes of care my way. Day by day, my strength will continue to grow.

P.S. Andy, I love you. With you by my side, I think anything is possible. “The Best is Yet to Come.”

Kaley is still home and doing marginal. The viral symptoms have backed off, however the nausea has taken over. She’s been non functional for the most part during the day with several decent hours in the late evening.

A gastric-ly minded, motivational speaker? I think my digestion could use a pep talk tonight. My stomach has rather shut-down during the last week, what with the virus I’ve had, and all. I’ve been coaxing it along with soup, toast, and juice, but decided I was really in need of some solid calories and energy. So, now that I’ve eaten, I’m trying to stay flushed with liquids, and took an extra dose of Dom Peridone. I’m going to try to stay up for awhile, just to encourage digestion. Cross your fingers!

I will be so thrilled if I have a relatively calm weekend. There are many “need to”s, even more “should do”s, and an extra dozen or so “want to”s on my list. I won’t even begin to list my lists, but will simply wish for a healthy, energetic, productive weekend. There. That sounds like a good plan!

Bundle up! It’s COLD outside!!