Ice Packs, Baby.

On My Way to the Hospital.

I bawled like a baby as we pulled away from the house. Saying goodbye to Roman was one of the most heart squishing things I've ever had to do. Gosh damn. The drive was nothing special and we ended up getting a bit lost. Thank God for iPhones with GPS, huh?

Checking In.

We found our way to the hospital, parked and took the elevator up the the Ambulatory Surgery Unit. I got my bracelet (so fancy! Not really.), slipped into a gown and was informed that I needed to wear hospital panties and a giant pad. Um... hello. If you've ever had a baby in a hospital, you'll know exactly which panties I'm talking about. Fishnet granny panties. Lovely! Also, I didn't know that they made pads that thick anymore. Seriously, it could have been a hotdog bun with a strip of adhesive on it. Mental picture? Yikes!

After changing into my surgery outfit, they gave me an albuterol breathing treatment, which was AWESOME. Nothing like being able to breathe! I answered a bunch of questions about my health history and had to tell three or four different people what I was in there for (a safety measure, I'm sure). This one lady tried to convince me that I was getting surgery on my left leg. Ummm... no, ma'am! Read that chart again.

My surgeon, Dr. Phil, caught me dring a bit of a breakdown and really calmed me down. He knows my history what my goals for this (and the following) surgery were. He told me to imagine that not getting the surgery was like an anchor and allowing them to go in there and remove the bone growth was like cutting the chain. It was so poetic and happy and I couldn't believe that it came out of a doctor's mouth. I told him that I'd like for him to be my doctor from now on for anything that ever goes wrong with me. He laughed and I felt much more confident and sure of what I was doing. I believe that God sent me Dr. Phil. He's also going to be doing my next surgery. <3

After the pep talk, they wheeled me into the O.R. and tried to give me an I.V. which was a fail. On the third try, they were successful and before I knew it, I was feelin' the happy drugs. Happy, happy, joy, joy! I don't remember annnnything after that. I don't remember the spinal they gave me or the catheter or anything at all.

The next thing I know, I'm in the recovery room. Blink, it's 2:30. White sheets. My bear still in my arms. I'm alive! Blink, it's 3:30. I'm freezing and hot all at te same time.  Blink, I'm super thirsty and I get a few sips of water. Close my eyes and it's 4:30pm. I can feel my toes again. Ice chips, please.

Dustin was finally allowed to come up and see me and I'd never seen a more handsome man in my whole life. My heart got all leap-y and happy and we decided that I could go home since my stomach felt fine and my toes were finally "defrosting." Sweet victory!

 

The Ride Home!
(drugged much? Ha!)

I was starving so Bubby stopped at a Mexican food place and got me a side of rice and beans. I've never had better rice and beans in my entire life. I'm so thankful that my stomach felt fine the whole time!

Being Home.

I claimed that the couch would be mine and I've made true to my word! I have a whole station set up here: water, tea, tissues, pills, trash (half of a strawberry box!), gum, glasses, phone charger, pillow, two blankets and so on. I've slept on the couch for the past two nights  because our bed is a bit tall and I wanted to be as comfy as possible. Dustin has been a huge help - he's my hero. Helping me to the bathroom, changing my pad (DUDE, that's true, honest, pure love right there), getting ice packs for my leg, dressing me, brushing my hair, running to the store. He's the sweetest. My MIL has been a rockstar with Roman - taking care of my sweet boy, cooking us all food, making sure that I take my medicine and helping with house chores. We watched Take Me Home Tonight together, too. So funny!

My family and friends have been sending me loads of love and support. Phone calls from my Mom, texts with my Sister and friends. My friend Katie even sent me a card. A SNAIL MAIL card! I just feel so, so blessed to live this life that's mine.

I've been eating like a cow. For reals. I can't get enough food and I'm thirsty as heck, too. My MIL made a huge pot of seriously delicious chicken soup and we've all been munching on it. Even Roman! We had burgers last night and roasted chicken will be for dinner tonight.  One of the many awesome things about this part of my journey... getting to lounge around be fed and loved. Oooo! Plus, I have full control of the television. Boo-yeah!

I've been icing my thigh non-stop and am taking Norco for my pain. It's making me itchy and today it's been making me dizzy, which is SO not cool. I'm cutting back and hopefully it will still be able to squelch my pain but not make me feel super high and gross. I HATE feeling out of control of my body and woozy in the head. It only gets better from here, though! God is so good.

 

Thank you guys for supporting me and sending all your love and prayers and warm wishes. They worked! Thank you keeping me strong. Having people around you that care makes hard days seem a bit easier.

My next surgery will be in a month. It will be more intense and I'll probably have to stay in the hospital for a few nights. But then... then I'll be done! Then it will be time to learn how to walk again. Roman and I will learn to walk together. How precious and amazing will that be? The future is full of such beautiful moments and I can't wait to unwrap each delicious one.

Lots of love,

Comments

[Caitlin]

Oh Violet, I'm so glad the surgery went well. I was thinking about you all day. Feel better soon and I just totally melted at "Roman and I will learn to walk together." You're a special, awesome lady.

[Missey James]

I am so excited for you!! OXOX Love, Missey

[Emily]

so incredibly happy for you!!! Praise God for His faithfulness! I love what you said about learning to walk again with your sweet baby boy. what an incredibly amazing gift!!!!

continuing to pray for you daily!!!

[Sonja]

So very, very happy to hear the first surgery went well. Hooray for wonderful doctors and husbands and families!! <3

Roman's gonna be the proudest little man in the whole world to be able to tell everyone someday that he helped his mama learn to walk. Amazing. :)

[Kristin W]

Violet! I'm SO SO SO happy for you and so thrilled the surgery went well!!!! It can only get better from here!
Also, Dustin is a CHAMP! Seriously - changing pads - wow. That's the truest love you can get!
:D !

[Tamara Janzen]

Wow! I am so in awe of your strength. Facing your fears! When Roman is older and can understand what you went through...you will be his hero for sure!

[pam]

i'm so happy things went well.
xoxo

[Julie Rimer]

Amen, Steph! Thrilled to hear of your progress and all the love and support that surrounds you. Keeping you in my prayers as you recover.

[BreAnna]

I am so glad that the surgery went well and I hope the next goes just as smoothly. Thanks for sharing your journey mama.

[Gillian]

I'm so very happy to read this post (and your surgery eve one made me cry a little <3 ) Hope your recovery goes smoothly and that you keep getting all the pampering, because you deserve it!