The BIG DAY is almost here! Good-bye "testy!"

Well, I wanted to update once more at least before the big day, surgery, on September 4. I’m so very grateful that so many are in my corner, on my team, gathering the Earthlies and Heavenlies together. Prayer support has spanned the globe. How cool is that? I am loved beyond measure. People are praying that I do not even know. I have never met some of the people who are spending quality time interceding on my behalf. Stop it-it’s too good (don’t really stop it, you know what I mean).

Luba and I went to preop Friday to take care of paperwork and have some tests run. I shuttered a bit as she recalled surgical risks. I’m not even going to put them in writing but they are very real and can be permanent in nature. As for as health and preparedness, all looks good and we are ready to go next week. My stomach turns as I say “next week.” Is it really here already?

Speaking of stomach turning, I was really hit hard this weekend. After I got home from preop, I started feeling poorly. Well, actually, I was light headed all day last Thursday. By Saturday morning, I had a nasty cold. Being the proactive person I am (and over anxious to not delay surgery), I hit urgent care early and got some staples to kick this virus. With that medication regime and your sweet prayers, I was healed ever-so-quickly by Saturday night. Then, I woke up Sunday with EXTREME stomach pains that came in waves and were so intense that I would sweat profusely and nearly vomit and pass out. Luba also noticed a weird red patch on my arm that quadrupled in size during the night.  Back to Urgent Care I went. I did earn the “Duchess” award on yelp for my 2 visits in one weekend. Bam! Stomach flu. Bam! Cellulitis. Does anyone under 60 have this? It just sounds like a more mature illness. Needless to say, constant pain with waves of piercing pains (that send you bent over or to the fetal position) coupled with the inability to eat or sleep can wear one down physically and emotionally. It’s those moments when vulnerability really sets in. It sneaks in like a thief during those wee morning hours when all is quiet and appears serene and you are lying there in pain (whether emotionally or physically) as if you are the only person in the world or awake. So much is simply out of our control. In those moments, fear and doubt so easily creep in and often comfortably settle in to our souls. It was in those moments, that the surgical risks began to replay in my mind. I had to remind myself that I’m going to be okay, and in those moments it wasn’t easy. Faith is a choice. It’s like looking in the pantry to find that can of rotel tomatoes (for the Southerners) and you keep being bomarded by other cans of things you don’t need falling out. You have to move cans, shuffle things, but keep looking. There it is! Way back in the back corner! You have to reach, grab a step stool if you must, and pull that baby out! Got it! That was me. I had to reach past those loud voices coming in shouting the likely risks and “what ifs” and hear again that still quiet comforting voice that says “you will be okay. I’ve got this.”

It was my last weekend that I kept totally open to study for my licensure exam coming this Saturday (8/30). How will I pass this thing?! I banked on that time frame for the last portion that required my full attention. Passing that baby will be a miracle on its own! I’ll take it and do the best I can. Some things are just out of our control. That happens. Just do your best with what you have.

Y’all, can we all just take a moment to celebrate Luba?! God bless that man. He came here last October just in time to ride this roller coaster of watching me study-fail the exam-recover-freak out-study again, medical appointments, tests, and illness. He has learned more about the American health care system and insurance than he ever dreamed. He has been so patient and understanding. The support has been unreal. I contribute my strong stand and perseverance to that guy. A gem. A gift. When this is behind us, I’m hoping we can finally share some FUN adventures together like short day trips, road trips and just enjoying the CA weather and lifestyle, very few of which we have been able to do since his arrival. We’ve wanted to host more dinners and spend more time with others but just have not had the chance. We have had marriage boot camp and I know we are better for it, but dang, can we just get a break?!? You can just see how kind he is by his sweet face. I'll not mention all the mockery that has gone on in this house this weekend--which is NOW funny, now that I'm on the mend.

Throughout this all, I'm reminded to celebrate: 
Health. Love. Second chances. Companionship. Friendships. Prayer support. Being able to speak. Moving from sharts to farts (oops, did I just say that? Stomach flu win). Adventure. Life.

Go celebrate. Press onward. Believe in miracles. Eat more rotel tomatoes in your recipes.

Putting my trust in UCI physicians but my faith in the Great Physician – thank you for covering me so completely,

Danielle

P.S. For those of you who don't know what rotel tomatoes are, you should learn. Top shelf in grocery. $1 can. Throw those in a chicken spaghetti recipe (Southern potluck fave) or warm Mexican dip in the crock pot. I’ll teach you. 

I needed a loofah. This may be the most expensive one I have ever purchased. My wash regimen for a few days before surgery.