Our Flower Explosion

We had buds on all of our azalea bushes before we left for IL. I was so disappointed because I just knew we would miss the big bloom. Well, this is what we woke up to this morning! I have never seen so many flowers!! Our yard is an explosion of color! I think God knew I needed this after such a hard week. It is chilly this morning, but if it warms up this afternoon, I plan to sit on the swing and watch my flowers...maybe sip some lemonaid.

Low Fat Diet

We're finding ways to adjust to the 20g low fat diet I am on for the next month. Won't be as hard as I thought and a friend just brought me a cookbook to use!! YEA! So far, I'm still having symptoms similar to before surgery, but the doc said it can take 6-8 weeks to go away.

Very sleepy. I'm going to bed now (at 9pm) so we can head back to our sunny state of FL tomorrow.

Post op

It's Sunday evening and I am typing this while heavily medicated against pain They explained that I have a genetic disorder in that have an extra pancreatic duct so I have 3 stents instead of 2. (more painful) Been on a liquid diet since Wednesday, but don't mind it much w/ all the symptoms I have. Plan is to still take the stints out tomorrow & send me to my mom & dad's. Gotta..get..some...sleep...sooo....tired.....

UN-vacation

That's what I am officially calling this. I am in IL with my family on the eve of my 2nd ERCP. Spent 5 1/2 hours at the doctor's office today...mostly waiting to meet the all-famous doc. The procedure is scheduled for 9:30 am tomorrow & will take 45 min to 1 hour. He said I will be in pain from the stints (until they come out on Mon) and they will probably make me nauseous. (FUN!) The good thing is...I will have good meds!!! I'll be on a liquid diet at the hospital all weekend & a nutritionist will come talk to me about my new low-fat diet: less than 20g for the next month and less than 30g from there after. I'm not sure how much we consume now, but it isn't that much. We try to be healthy for the most part.

My mom said to look at the hospital stay as a vacation, but it is feeling more like an UN-vacation. Today wasn't my idea of fun and tomorrow isn't at all by choice. BUT...I will get a good nap!!

So, thank you again for the many prayers. I ask that you pray for a smooth procedure, not a lot of pain and nausea and that this works!! Thank you & I'll update as soon as I'm lucid enough to do so.

Upward---the Gators

Today was Jordan's last Upward game. They only play through 8th grade and next year she'll be in Highschool--GULP!! It was a great season! She was finally on an all girls team again and was playing more aggressively since she's been used to playing with boys the last 4 years!! :) The girls did well despite having 3 girls on the team that have never played basketball before, one girl breaking her arm, other various injuries & the coach being hospitalized twice! WOW! They stayed a close team and played hard...and fair!!! I am very proud of Jordan & the Gators. It was a good season.

Awesome

I'm sure the word awesome is over-used. I use it a lot myself. What else do you say when you are so in awe at what God has created? We've had a beautiful weekend...full of sunshine and cool breezes. I am still amazed at the beauty of the ocean while we drive to do errands or stop to take a walk in the sand.

As I mowed lawn today and dust flew in my face (we had buckets of rain just 3 days ago), I was reminded that my yard is sand. As I looked at the cherry blossoms and azaleas already in full bloom, I was reminded that our growing season is already in full force. We have butterflies spreading their wings! It's March! I still have to be reminded where I live and how different it still feels....and yet it is still awesome. Awesome that it is beautiful here in the way Florida is beautiful. Awesome that God has made our country so different and each area beautiful in it's own unique way. How cool is that?

Italy?

No, I'm not going to Italy, but my doctor is. Must be nice! My ERCP has been moved to 3/25. The good thing is that I'll get a spring break w/ Jordan: no band, which means maybe a day or two in our PJ's, maybe some reading on the beach. The bad part: another night in the hospital as the stints won't come out until Monday & having to wait another week to be fixed. Had another bad night last night. Broke down & took something for pain to sleep and still woke up a few times through the night. UGH!

I'm the type that will make lemonaid out of lemons, so I'm already looking at fun things to do since Jordan won't have band next week. There may be some scrapbooking or shopping involved...hmmm...