I'm a Little Sad Saturday

Yes, I'm back. Theresa told me tonight that I will be doing her blog entries as long as she is in the hospital. This should be all the motivation we need to keep flooding the universe with positive healing thoughts for Theresa. The day started off in a hurry. I got Gary out the door with some juice boxes and snacks for the train ride down to Union Station. He was off to pick up Rob and the kids for their Metra ride to National Train Day. I called Theresa after he left. She said she has a new bed...Yeah! She had already had breakfast and a shower. She was a little tired so I kept the call brief, promising to call her again later in the afternoon. When I did call her back she was having an issue with gas pain and they had given her something for it. She's completely unhooked from all meds. I thought all of this, minus the discomfort part, sounded good. Joanna called me to say she, Ole and Tony were going to head up for a visit. I told her I would wait for Gary and then go up for the evening. Everything rolled in together. Gary arrived home. I called Theresa to see if she wanted me to bring anything special for her. Rob and the kids were already with her. They had a nice visit. Theresa took a 2 loop walk with the kiddos and they told her all about their train adventures. They had so many stories to share. They also had all of their trampoline fun to share. Rob told Tree they were going to go home for movie night and popcorn. I think he also mentioned an earlier bedtime...right! Shortly after Rob left with the kids, their neighbors stopped in with some fruit and flowers. Theresa was sad the neighbor kids had just missed Ellie and Nick. Jo and Ole arrived and it was a changing of the guard. Tony kept Theresa's spirits up and she did another 2 loop walk with Tony. They left shortly after the walk ended. Then I got THE CALL. I knew instantly that Tree was crying. She said she just didn't feel good. She couldn't find a comfortable position. She was tired and hurting. We were on our way. She promised me she would walk down to the nurse's station and get some cranberry juice. I figured this would get her out of the room and buy us a few extra minutes.

We got to her room and she was in bed watching the food channel. I don't know if this is a good choice when you are on a full liquid diet and you're really sick of the few choices that are available. She got up to go to the toilet and getting back into bed she took in a breath that started her coughing and led to her vomiting. That will be the end of the cranberry juice for awhile. In a deja vu flashback, Theresa got into the recliner, I covered her up and began massaging her head. This time around, Gary was with us, so he worked on her feet. We massaged until her nurse came in to check on her and she began shivering. She got back into bed and we worked with the pillows to try to find a comfortable arrangement. We had one grouping that felt good and she asked how to lay them out so she could repeat the process later if need be. It really didn't matter, she was restless again. The nurse came back with some ibuprophen for Tree and changed the dressing with me so that I can do it for Theresa at home. We asked if she could up the heat a few degrees in the room. I told her that Theresa had been shivering and she took Theresa's temp instantly. 99 degrees. Nothing out of the ordinary, but Tree is to let her know if she feels hot. The first round of tears started. I'm all about shifting gears, but this was a hard place to get her out of. A few tissues later, we were back to trying to find a comfortable place to just be. She sat in chairs, sat up in bed, reclined in bed, got up to use the toilet, tried the bed again. Restless and uncomfortable. I suggested that she try a few of our favorite computer games to relax. She told me she truly is having a hard time focusing. Not just mentally focusing, but visually as well. I think she needs a good stretch of sleep. Housekeeping came in a midnight last night to empty her waste can...not too quietly! Although she's in a new bed, it's still a re inflating bed and makes a whirring noise every time she shifts her weight. At least the machine that goes beep...beep...beep is gone. I could tell that the ibuprophen was starting to work and it was the end of visiting hours. I told her we'd be back with some permitted goodies tomorrow for Mother's Day. She said it didn't matter it was just another day. That's when it happened, her little chin began the tell tale quiver and the tears began to fall. This is the sad part. I felt terrible. We hugged, I rubbed her arms, but I can't make it better. She's uncomfortable and none of my tricks are working. The loud speaker announcement told us it was time to go. Theresa decided to walk us to the elevator. I showed her where there is a family waiting room around the corner from the elevator. It's a good space for a visit with the kids. There are vending machines and lots of room to run around. We hugged and kissed good night. She told us we were out of focus to her...I chose the moment to make faces at her. She laughed so I think she is probably seeing more than she thinks she is.

So it's really crappy that she's in the hospital for Mother's Day. I'll probably be up all night trying to figure out what I can do or make for her to lift her spirits. It's been a really hard week. With the loss of Uncle Bill and the surgery, I think it's just a lot to wrap our heads around. Although it was time to bid farewell to Scarlett, I think Theresa feels a little duped. There have been so many things that she finds out about after the fact. It's difficult to take it all in. I gave her a card yesterday...it was a chocolate chip cookie with stick figure body parts, making muscles. The inside said "You're one tough cookie." She is. Today the cookie crumbled a little. Hopefully we'll help her to have all the pieces put back together tomorrow...

Please join me in visualizing Theresa's speedy recovery, an uneventful convalescence, a rested body and mind, smiles instead of tears, and the new, normal, exceptional Theresa. Happy Mother's Day to Theresa and all of the mother's reading her blog! Thanks for continuing to send positive thoughts Theresa's way. -Paula

An Uneventful Friday...Woohoo!

We finished watching the 10:00 news and I thought I'd check Theresa's blog...quick sanity check...I'd better go write tonight's entry. I think one of the first things I must do is add a little, but very important note to yesterday's post. Our good friend, Kate, is a nurse at Evanston Hospital. She's worked in many departments over the years, but is currently in Ambulatory Surgery. Theresa has had to go through Ambulatory for both of her surgeries, and much to our great relief, Kate has been on the schedule both times, and each time she has made sure that Theresa is one of her patients. There is something very reassuring about having someone who is like your 2nd mom taking care of you, making sure you get the best...of everything...from recommending the best anesthesiologist, to having words with the Associate who is not on Tree and Rob's top Docs list, to being a most relaxing force at a very scary time...oh yeah, she also makes sure to give us a bunch of discount parking passes! She has taken care of Theresa through these two procedures, but I have to acknowledge that she has also taken care of both of my girls when they delivered their babies. Even when she was no longer working in that department, she called on her friends who still did, and made sure that the girls had the best nurses and care that they could have. Thank you Kate for being a dear friend and for always being there for us. I called Theresa this morning and she told me that she had an OK night last night. Sleeping mixed with regular wake ups for charting her vitals. Kate stopped in to check on her this morning before she started her shift. Thank you, Kate. Theresa's diet was pumped up a bit and she had cream of wheat for breakfast. The not so popular Associate came in to see Tree and to begin removing some of the internal packing. For all of the pain preaching he's done, he neglected to tell Tree this would hurt, and as she grimaced, he told her that yes, it would be painful. Thank goodness she's still connected to her pain meds. A blood test revealed that her potassium levels were low, so they pumped her full of potassium drips today. It's a good thing she still has Plum, the port, as this apparently burns when it flows through a regular IV.

Rob and Nick stopped by to visit. Nick had a cherry ice with Mom and watched Planet 51 with her. He used her potty, but told Rob he needed to move the juice out of the toilet so he could pee. Theresa's output is being measured in a bonnet, and Nick came to terms with it as only Nick can. They stopped by here after their visit with Mom, and Nick had some special time with Gramps while Rob caught me up on a few things. It might not be the Mother's Day release for Theresa, but I told her we can make any Sunday a Mother's Day. Ellie will like that. She's been more than concerned that Theresa might have to be in the hospital for Mother's Day.

Rob and Nick left us. We finished up a few tasks here and we were off for Trader Joe's in Glenview. It was a bit of a wasted trip. Half way through or shopping, there was a power outage and we had to leave the store without our selections. We ended up at our Dominicks. They just don't carry some of the cool stuff we can get at Trader Joe's. We had a quick dinner and then we were off to see Theresa. Rob took the kids to a surprise trampoline party tonight, so we were Theresa's entertainment. We took her some little wrapped hard candies, a little variety of teas, and a Sudoku book. She's still having a hard time focusing, so the Sudoku was unwanted, and I am writing her blog entry. She may be having a hard time focusing, but I am here to tell you my girl's bladder is just fine. Because of the quantity of liquids she's drinking, she's out of bed every 15 to 20 minutes. She's getting in and out of bed and into the toilet by herself. She was out walking the halls twice today. She was careful to avoid the food areas. The smells made her sick in September, and I think we all know how bad it is to revisit those things that were at the root of our nausea. Once again, I have to say, Theresa looks wonderful. Her cheeks have that healthy rosiness back and it's not because of fever. I rubbed her legs in with some lotion. She's itchy from dryness. One thing both Gary and I noticed was how noisy everything is. Although there isn't the pounding from construction this time, there are continual loud speaker announcements, the machine that goes beep...beep...beep is right next to her head, and her continually re inflating bed squeaks terribly as it fills. I have no idea how Tree sleeps. She did tell me that she dozes off pretty regularly, so I guess the pain meds help her out that way, too. Her last bag of potassium finished just before we finished our visit. I told her I didn't really have much to say for her blog entry, yet here I sit typing away. I told her I might have to do this entry in rhyme to make it interesting tonight. My close family and friends know I am very capable of doing it...I'm just to tired to have things flow well tonight. The loud speaker announcement told us that visiting hours were over. So we said our good nights, had our good night kisses, and we were on our way.

Tomorrow Gary and Rob are taking the kids down to Union Station for National Train Day. I will not be returning...my introductory experience last year made me vow to never return. The kids, I am including the 2 big boys, however, love it. They'll take the Metra down and it will be a good diversion for all of them and a bit of sanity preserving down time for me. Please continue to visualize Theresa's speedy recovery, an uneventful convalescence, and the new, normal, yet exceptional, Theresa. Thanks. -Paula

The Body...One Incredible Machine

Yes, Theresa trusted me enough to do another guest gig on her blog. For those of you looking for the quick update, Theresa's surgery went very well, she is in very little pain, thank you Dilaudid, she had been out of bed a few times to use the toilet this afternoon, and she was resting comfortably, waiting for her newly approved tea to be delivered, when we left this evening. This time around, things have gone very well and she looked wonderful today. If you remember, the same could not be said 9 months ago. I am so pleased that things are finally going the right way.

Now, for those of you who tune in for the details...Gary and I got to Theresa's house at 7:15 this morning so that she and Rob could leave by 7:30. The kids were up and Ellie was already dressed and starting to put her lunch together. Nick was also dressed and very excited that there was a new game plan today. I started breakfast for the kids and it was time for Tree to say goodbye and get her much needed hugs and kisses. Ellie's tears started, but we shifted gears and she was able to move on. We curled her hair and she liked it. She packed up her lunch, snack and Mrs. Bart's Teacher Appreciation gift and off she went to the bus stop accompanied by her two fellas. Theresa's friend Christie had left little gifts for the kids to open this morning. Ellie got a little compact with glisten powder and Nick got an orange harmonica. Not only was this harmonica his favorite color, but he is able to do the slide playing quite well, and boy does he love the great sound it makes...thank you, Christie? We got Nick loaded into the car and off to school we went. Nick told his teacher that his Mom had a doctor visit and that he would be staying with us for 2 weeks. I think he will be disappointed.

Gary and I then had a few hours to ourselves before we had to be back to pick up Nick. I have to tell you I was really trying hard to keep the positive thoughts going Tree's way, but inside I was a bundle of nerves on edge. I began a sewing project so I could focus on something else. Much to our amazement, Rob called at about 10:45 to say that Tree was in recovery and all had gone well. Woohoo! He said they told him he could see her in a few hours, and she'd be heading up to her room at around 1:00. I know Tree has been calm and collected this time around, but after her experience in September, I have been a bit pensive and concerned. I was glad she gave in and took the 1/2 doses of Ativan the last few nights and the earbuds seemed to put her in that Zen zone last night...I gave in to a few glasses of wine.

Gary went to get Nick while I continued sewing. We had a nice lunch together and then Gary left for a dental appointment and Nick and I went out on the porch and cracked open the Play Dough. Gary returned, we gathered our things and got ready to go pick up Ellie. Rob called just as we reached the door to ask us if we wanted to bring the kids up after homework to see Theresa, they could visit for a bit, he'd take them home and we could stay and keep Tree company. Really? Was she up for this? Rob said she was. She had been up several times to use the toilet...no, her bowels are not yet emptying, and she wanted to see the kids. OK! Gary and Nick walked down to get Ellie from the bus and I got their after school snack together. Gary kept Nick busy while I helped Ellie with her homework. We were then on the road. There was a true bubble of positive energy in the car. Ellie was so excited. She thought she'd have to wait to see her mom until tomorrow...this was the best medicine for all of us!

Theresa really does look wonderful. Yes, she's always my beautiful girl, but she has good color and she is in a much better place physically than she was 9 months ago. She had snacks there for the kids...they loved it! She shared her little bandage with all of us. I'm impressed at how little coverage there seems to be externally. One of Dr. Muldoon's associates stopped in to see Theresa while we were there. I feel comfortable in sharing that he does not seem to be on Theresa and Rob's top Docs list. He told Tree that she could begin taking sips of liquid. Truly sips. Slow sips. Seems even liquid can cause some bowel spasms and pain. He also explained that she has some internal packing that would be removed as she heals and that the wound dressings should be changed as often as needed. It wasn't until after he left that it kind of hit Tree and me at the same time...if they're going to have to remove the internal packing, when and how do they close the actual wound? We asked the nurse when she came in...this is where

"the body is an incredible machine" part comes in...they don't close it. The body heals itself.. The wound will dry and close up all on its own. How cool is that? It never ceases to amaze me how wonderful our bodies are! Rob left with the kids to go for dinner. Joanna called to say that they were on there way up to see Theresa. We waited for the trio to arrive. I have to say we had some good laughs. Tony was asleep when they walked in, but his TT's voice eventually stirred him and he was pretty happy to see everyone. We all visited for a bit. I made sure Tree phoned the kitchen for her tea. I walked her to the toilet one more time. We could see that she was tired and made the joint decision that it was time for this visit to end. We shared our hugs and kisses and were off.

I want to thank all of you loyal followers for the love and positive thoughts you sent and continue to send to our Theresa.I know she has been waiting for the "new, normal" Theresa to appear, but as I told her last night, she's always been exceptional in our books...I think she will continue to be wonderfully beyond normal. Let's continue to visualize Theresa's speedy recovery, and uneventful convalescence , and the new normal, but truly exceptional, Theresa!

-Paula

Tomorrow, tomorrow...

In light of everything happening in my life, I took 1/2 an ativan last night to help filter some thoughts. I fell asleep on the couch and didn't wake up until Rob came downstairs around 5:45AM. The kids were up at regular time and I got their clothes out and jumped in the shower. I got the kids breakfast and we got Ellie a snack for school. Ellie walked to the bus and was off to school and then I got Nick ready for school.
I took Nick to school and then stopped by Ellie's class to drop off the teachers appreciation gift. The kids all finished the sentence Mrs. Bart is the best teacher because and I put them together and framed them. I came home and did laundry and cleaned up a bit. I had a sob fest - just felt a bit overwhelmed. I went to pick Nick up from school and we went over to Mom and Dad's.
By lunchtime my stomach had started making noise and has continued all day. I left for my very needed appointment with Patricia. I have to say I went into the appointment full of anxiety and tension and left a totally different person. I have my ear buds and have a bit more calmness. Mom and Dad had some errands to run so they took Nick with them with plans to come over for dinner when they were finished.
I went home and started to get more things prepared - I got my clothes and toiletries packed, clothing pulled for Ellie, laundry finished. I stopped off at the store on the way home to pick up breakfast stuff and milk. Christi stopped by with some treats the kids and me and dinner for tomorrow night. It was great to get the love and positive thoughts.
I went to get Ellie from the bus stop and we got some very nice time together. We planted some bulbs from flowers we had from Easter. We visited on the front porch and then the neighbors came home and she was off to play.
Rob got wonderful news today, he was chosen as Support Staff of the Year. He gets a reserved parking spot for the next year and will be awarded at an assembly later this month. I got the rest of the laundry finished and the fridge organized. I vacuumed the rugs and cleaned the table off for dinner. I phoned in an order for pizza that Mom and Dad picked up on their way here.
We had a nice dinner together and the kids got to play for a bit before we watched the Middle together and got the kids off to bed.
My surgery is scheduled for 9:45AM tomorrow morning. We need to check in at 8:00AM. It should take about 2 hours to complete the surgery and I will be in the hospital anywhere from 3-6 days. I am in a very different place than I was 9 months ago. I know the outcome of this surgery and I know this is one of the final steps to the new normal. I am asking for those positive thoughts to start rolling in - power in collective positive thinking. I am sooo hungry - I get clear liquids for another hour or so but nothing after midnight. I just took 1/2 an ativan so hopefully soon I will try to go to sleep. Visualising my healthy and continually healing body, a un-remarkable surgery and recovery and the new normal, Tree

Suddenly sad day

I spent part of the night on the couch and went up to bed but couldn't get to sleep - flipped and flopped for about 2 hours. We all got dressed and brushed teeth this morning before going down for breakfast. Ellie fixed herself a snack for school and I flipped laundry loads. Ellie got off to the bus and then I got Nick some more breakfast before we left for school.
I dropped Nick off and then made a quick stop at Salvation - found the kids winter coats for next winter. I came home and straightened up and flipped laundry loads, again. I went to pick Nick up from school and then we went over to Mom and Dad's. We picked up lunch along the way. Tony was sleeping when we got there but we ate lunch on the sun porch while he slept. When we arrived we were met by some terribly sad news - Uncle Bill passed away. Sad on so many levels for our family. He was Rob's playmate and partner in crime. I can't get into all he was right now because I am pretty much still in shock. He will be deeply missed and I am sure it will hit us at various times.
The boys played this afternoon. Mom and I changed a very ridiculously mad Scarlett. I knew from the burning pain that the breakdown was going to be bad when I took off the wafer but it was almost the worst I have ever seen. Bloody, blistered and raw skin. Hopefully, this was dear Scarlett's last change but since she has required daily changes lately I wouldn't be surprised if it wasn't. The past couple weeks have truly proven to me that Scarlett and I have to end our relationship - we cannot live with each other any longer - its toxic.
Miss Kate dropped by Mom's and she will be working on Thursday - so fingers crossed that she is my gal again. I left so that I could call Trish and give her a heads up and pick up Ellie. I was pretty much dreading telling Ellie. I wasn't sure how she was going to take the news with everything else on her plate right now. In addition to all the stress she has about my surgery, she is all nervous about me not being able to be there for her important events, the fear of a recurrence, she has testing at school this week. I left a message for Trish and I told Ellie as we walked home from the bus.
Death is unfortunately not a new thing for our family. However, most deaths have occurred after an illness and not expectantly. Ellie wondered why the paramedics couldn't have brought him back with CPR. She said maybe if they moved him he would wake up. Trish invited me to be a part of the session today. Ellie caught Trish up her happenings and our news. Trish had picked out a few books for Ellie to choose from to read today. The first was about cancer and feelings and I think Ellie could seriously relate to all the feelings in the book. The second was a book we read when my Grandma passed away - it is by Marc Brown (the author of the Arthur series) and Ellie was familiar with it and also really related to the events of today. Trish and Ellie showed me their breathing exercises and gave Ellie some reminders of how she could handle stress int he next few days.
On to happier news, it is Grandpa GG's birthday today and we were going to meet the family over at their house for some birthday cake. On the way Ellie and I drove through Glencoe and found some good trash in the Spring Clean-up garbage piles - 2 outdoor water tables and 2 boogie boards. We went over to the GGs and it was a happy yet sad time. The kids kept our minds off of events. Nick went to play on the piano and as he sat down to play started singing - I am going to sing you this little song, but it feels so wrong. It's about a little old lady and her may day. Tony had some whoppers in there too - telling Ellie her singing and playing weren't music.
We had cake and sang to Grandpa and then we were on our way home. I put away all the laundry while the kids ate some dinner. We did bedtime and then Rob and I sat on the couch talking about the day. I feel very badly for Rob - he and Uncle Bill got together at least once a week to eat and talked more often than that. They were each others sounding boards for projects. Ellie broke down at bedtime - I feel sad on so many different levels. Uncle Bill always has time to listen to Ellie or to play with her.
Tomorrow I need to get things laid out - clothes ready for a few days for Ellie and Nick. Make sure there is enough food for the week - I need to get breakfast foods and milk. I need to pick up the school registration packet and fill it out - registration is Saturday. I need to put Easter away - I got it all piled up today but I should get it back in the box. I need to change out all our sheets and pack my hospital stuff. I have an appointment with Patricia and I am hoping she loads me up with ear buds. I have to drop by school with Mrs. Bart's teacher appreciation gift.
I will receive a call from the hospital confirming the time for Thursday - I get to eat a light breakfast tomorrow and then clear liquids only until midnight. I should also get a call from the anesthesiologist - fingers crossed for Dr. Szokol again. Thinking about it - I have a bunch to do tomorrow - hopefully everything gets done. Visualising my healthy and continually healing body and the new normal, Tree

The final countdown

Insomnia has set in, again. I have been doing pretty good up until last night. It was 2:30AM when Nick came down to get me to come put him back to bed - I was wide awake. I went to bed but was up for probably an hour or so. I woke up this morning to a familiar sensation (unfortunately), that of a leaky barrier. I must have a bad box of wax rings because every change from this box has leaked, needless to say I won't be finishing that box off. I changed Scarlett out and Mom was so efficient in sealing yesterday that the wax was adhered to my skin and didn't peel off. Ellie helped me center the wafer and we tried this change out sans wax ring. I didn't have my powder in the house so there was no build-up and let me tell you I think I am going to be bloody tomorrow.
Ellie took a quick shower before school and I helped her pack her lunch and snack up. Ellie got off to the bus and Nick and I watched in the window. Nick and I watched the rest of the movie he was watching before we traveled over to Mom and Dad's. tony was there today and I think both boys made up for lost playtime. Nick brought a puzzle with him and Tony passed him pieces - teamwork. We did a craft project - made tissue paper colored flowers. We had lunch and then I was overwhelmed by the need to close my eyes. I took about a 45 minute nap and was rejuvenated.
Nick and I came home and got Ellie from the bus. Even thought the sun wasn't out that didn't stop the kids from wanting to play outside. We played outside for almost 2 hours - riding bikes, basketball and the trampoline. Rob came home and took over with Nick -getting him into a bath so that Ellie and I could sneak out to pottery. On our way out of the house I happened to look up and see water dripping from the ceiling. I called Rob down to show him and he said he would take care of it. We had worked to chip away the caulk in the bathroom upstairs about a month or so ago and new caulk was never put in and the water from the bathtub just started creeping through the crack.
Tonight was my last pottery class for this session. Mom will take Ellie for the last couple classes. I wasn't really motivated to do anything knowing I wouldn't get to glaze it but Carol, the substitute teacher, talked me into just playing around with clay. I ended up making a small tile with wildflowers and under glazing the entire thing so that Ellie can just paint a clear coat on for me next week. I really liked the way it came out. Ellie worked on a tile/trivet today. Our sub is really gifted in tile ability and showed Ellie how to make a double layer cut out tile - it turned out very neat looking.
We came home and had our leftover Chinese food from last night and I cut up some fruit to go with it. We let the kids stay up a bit later so we could cuddle on the couch together. We did bedtime and then Rob and I have been sitting on the couch and watching tv.
Scarlett is truly making her point that she wants to be sent packing this week - the burning pain is not fun. I worry that the breakdown might cause a risk for infection on Thursday. My feet are still un-happy and I find myself off balance still. Lower back pain still is present. Honestly, I am a bit nervous about Thursday - not the surgery itself but the recovery I guess. I know what I am getting into but it is just an ultra busy time of the year and I don't want to miss any of the kids important things. Ellie's 3rd grade experience is a week after surgery, Nick's graduation is the following week and at least 3 field trips somewhere in there, too. Visualising my healthy and continually healing body and the new normal, Tree

A lovely Sunday

I slept in Ellie's bed last night because when I went up to bed Nick was sleeping next to Rob and the bed was free - so I took it. I got to say that mattress is firm and not really so comfortable to sleep on. I also now can understand why Ellie gets up so early in the morning - her room is east facing and the sunlight is intense. Rob nicely took nick downstairs this morning and I transferred into our bed to sleep for another hour.
We read the paper and had our coffee and then got dressed and were on our way to Lowes. When Ellie was a toddler I bought plans to build a locomotive and caboose playhouse outside. Well over time we have misplaced the plans and found them and misplaced them again. We found them this past winter and decided it was a great time to build this play train. We picked up wood for the first part of the caboose and also wood to make some raised bed planters for the yard.
We came home and unloaded and Rob went right to work building my planters. I made him an iced americano to provide some fuel. We originally planned to build 2 4' x 4' planters but ended up with 3 planters - I am so excited. This is something that I am looking so forward to doing post-surgery. I am going to take Nick to pick out seeds tomorrow to start in the garden window. Nick and I went to pick Ellie up from mom and Dad's - they had a nice overnight and secret mission. Every year Mom delivers May Day flowers to family and friends and this year Ellie was part of the secret op. We came home and Rob made his second journey to Lowes.
He got the floor of the caboose built today and I think this is just the coolest thing. Dean came over and we walked to Emily Oaks nature center for Earth Day/May Day celebration. It was a real nice program this year - the kids got to dance around a May pole, make May baskets and flowers, make May tea, make a wish is the fire and in the pond, help bees harvest nectar for honey and be reporters for the news. It was a real nice time but the sun went away and the wind really picked up. We got a snack and walked home. Dean stayed and played with the kids for a bit. The kids entertained us with dress up - always fun to see what they come up with.
We went over to Mom and Dad's for dinner - Chinese tonight. We did a Scarlett change - red and irritated - I guess it really is time to send her packing. Ellie's tummy started hurting a bit before dinner - we subsequently found out his is nerves for my surgery Thursday. I thought we were a bit cooler this time around - I, myself, haven't been outwardly anxious or nervous and we know the outcome of this surgery - there are less un-knowns. Ellie is upset that I won't be home for Mother's day.
We had a nice dinner and then were on our way home. We got the kids to sleep early because of the late night last night. Rob and I got to watch our Sunday night tv until it was interrupted with the news of Bin Laden being killed. Interesting - now we need to get our troops home safely and end this crappy war.
My feet are super sensitive. Rob tried to rub them in with some lotion and I had to tell him to not rub so hard - I think they might have gotten worse since the acupuncture treatment. I also noticed my balance is somewhat off - not liking that so much. I have lower back pain that I haven't had in quite some time - probably some stress and nerves. Visualising my healthy and continually healing body and the new normal, Tree