I have heard over and over that there is a Nurse Curse when it comes to healthcare and health issues. Well, as you all know, it fits me to a T. I have not seen any other mother experience hyperemesis like I have experienced it 3 different times. I also have not seen many people suffer with post-operative nausea and vomiting like I do.
My gall bladder has given me fits off and on since 2008. And, the time had come for it to leave my body. So, being the nurse practitioner that I am in, I scheduled my surgery when it was most convenient for my family and work life. I worked in Express Care 2 extra shifts to make up for missing 4 days of work. I arranged for my kiddos to go to both sets of grandparent's houses. I packed their bags. I washed all the sheets and remade all the beds. I planned how it all would go....BUT, the nurse curse hit.
Post-operative nausea and vomiting. I precisely couldn't make it stop. So, I had to be admitted overnight on Wednesday. It helped to stop the nausea (time and a lot of drugs did the trick). Surgery itself was a breeze. And, recovering from surgery is not so bad once I quit the dry heaves. Dry heaves with fresh abdominal incisions equals OUCH!!!
I came home to an empty house yesterday--a weird sensation for sure. I feel much better today but still not quite the same. My abdomen is sore. My belly is distended, but I can eat small meals without right upper quadrant pain. I am a hands on mom who can't pick her babies up. I can't let them crawl on my lap quite yet. But, soon I will feel better.
One thing about Chris and I over the last 12 months is that we don't want our babies away from arm's reach. But, our kiddos were anxious to get away. They were both through the roof for vacation at grandma and papas' houses. Their excitement tore at my heartstrings just a little--why are they so excited to get away, have we been smothering them, are they just spoiled at grandma and papas'? I think it is a little bit of stir crazy. Carson is a homebody and always has been, but Mackenzie is a traveler. She likes to see and do many different things. And, she gets to ride horses and swim while visiting her grandparents. And, it seems that we haven't done much of either of these adventurous things from our house on Poplar. But, we have had many nights together--reading stories on our new hammock, playing in the kiddie pool, watching movies (even if the DVD player dies with 5 minutes left in the movie), cuddles in mommy and daddy's bed, etc.
So, surgery has helped me a little--I will feel better. I learned that once again the best laid plans are going to change. And, that my kiddos are safe and sound even if they are not in arm's reach. But, I will still try to keep them close.
Chris has also learned that he needs a day of MAN TIME. His shadow, Carson, is busy! He is doing an amazing job trying to take care of me. So, if you see Chris with fishing rods in his truck--don't stop him. He needs it!!
Friday, June 21, 2013
Wednesday, June 5, 2013
Being a Mom....what a job!!!
This blog post might home for some and make others go hmmm!
There are days that being called "Mom" is the easiest title I have ever earned. And, then there are the days that being called Mom is the hardest earned title I have ever earned and not so sure I deserve. Today, I am not so sure how I earned the title or that God gave me this title and don't deserve it. My kids are my whole world. How did God know that I needed them probably more than they needed me? But, yet, He knew who I needed in my world. He knew that I needed a wonderful hubby...and showed me the ONE!!! And, then God placed Mackenzie in my heart (and womb) and ultimately in my arms!! And, then He gave me Carson! And, then William! What a story, right?
I have caught myself getting so frustrated and begging for some mommy time. I called one of my best friends today to bitch and moan (pardon my language, but it is what I was doing)! I am done with 7 year old eye rolls, 3 1/2 year old deafness (or perception of deafness when I am talking), cooking, cleaning, demanding chores be finished, wiping bottoms, and the list goes on and on and on and on.
And, then I remember where I was a year ago. William had just had his first open heart surgery and hope was high. We were in a whole new world...the one of parents who have a child with a critical illness. We were also living in Ronnie's House and not able to see our other kiddos...as they had Hand-Foot-Mouth disease 1 week before surgery. Man, what a year it has been. Some of my greatest days ever have taken place in the last year. I saw my baby be whisked away in 2 different ambulances--1 time a few mere hours after he was born. I saw my oldest finish Kindergarten, loose a tooth (and then another 4), start/finish first grade, and turn 7...hence, the eye rolling 7 year old. I saw my little man become a big brother, start preschool, go to the dentist for the first time. I have also held my babies up when I was so incredibly weak and unable to do much more than just hug them. I have learned to relish my name Mom...what a blessing God gave me. Even on my hardest of days (and there have been plenty of those) I can smile knowing that Mom is a name I was meant to have forever. And, I also realized that God gives the perfect kiddos to the perfect parents. Mackenzie, Carson, and William are my perfect babies....2 here on Earth with me and 1 in Heaven following me everywhere I go.
I have seen my job as a mommy change in so many ways. I went from a milk cow to a grieving, heartbroken mom to a cuddler who allows her babies in her bed (and, this HARDLY ever happened prior to 1 year ago) to a soccer mom to a T-ball coach to a GRUMP today!!!
What a blessing to have the title Mommy!! I have learned in the past year that my life as a mom is kind of like my life as a Christian...some days are easy and some not so much. But, God is guiding me in both walks. And, this might make it a tad easier to be a good Mommy and Christian.
There are days that being called "Mom" is the easiest title I have ever earned. And, then there are the days that being called Mom is the hardest earned title I have ever earned and not so sure I deserve. Today, I am not so sure how I earned the title or that God gave me this title and don't deserve it. My kids are my whole world. How did God know that I needed them probably more than they needed me? But, yet, He knew who I needed in my world. He knew that I needed a wonderful hubby...and showed me the ONE!!! And, then God placed Mackenzie in my heart (and womb) and ultimately in my arms!! And, then He gave me Carson! And, then William! What a story, right?
I have caught myself getting so frustrated and begging for some mommy time. I called one of my best friends today to bitch and moan (pardon my language, but it is what I was doing)! I am done with 7 year old eye rolls, 3 1/2 year old deafness (or perception of deafness when I am talking), cooking, cleaning, demanding chores be finished, wiping bottoms, and the list goes on and on and on and on.
And, then I remember where I was a year ago. William had just had his first open heart surgery and hope was high. We were in a whole new world...the one of parents who have a child with a critical illness. We were also living in Ronnie's House and not able to see our other kiddos...as they had Hand-Foot-Mouth disease 1 week before surgery. Man, what a year it has been. Some of my greatest days ever have taken place in the last year. I saw my baby be whisked away in 2 different ambulances--1 time a few mere hours after he was born. I saw my oldest finish Kindergarten, loose a tooth (and then another 4), start/finish first grade, and turn 7...hence, the eye rolling 7 year old. I saw my little man become a big brother, start preschool, go to the dentist for the first time. I have also held my babies up when I was so incredibly weak and unable to do much more than just hug them. I have learned to relish my name Mom...what a blessing God gave me. Even on my hardest of days (and there have been plenty of those) I can smile knowing that Mom is a name I was meant to have forever. And, I also realized that God gives the perfect kiddos to the perfect parents. Mackenzie, Carson, and William are my perfect babies....2 here on Earth with me and 1 in Heaven following me everywhere I go.
Almost exactly 1 year ago..his first surgery was June 4, 2012
All 3 babies under one roof...a crazy 2 weeks!!
But, the greatest 2 weeks of William's short time here on Earth.
Back in CMH...July 2012
My favorite picture of all 3 babies...2 cardiac caths, 2 open heart surgeries, 4 months in a hospital. And, Mackenzie and Carson had such complete love and devotion for William.
I have seen my job as a mommy change in so many ways. I went from a milk cow to a grieving, heartbroken mom to a cuddler who allows her babies in her bed (and, this HARDLY ever happened prior to 1 year ago) to a soccer mom to a T-ball coach to a GRUMP today!!!
What a blessing to have the title Mommy!! I have learned in the past year that my life as a mom is kind of like my life as a Christian...some days are easy and some not so much. But, God is guiding me in both walks. And, this might make it a tad easier to be a good Mommy and Christian.
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