Super Dog, do you have one?

Coolest Dream Ever

Since my tonsillectomy I have noticed I’m having more dreams. That could be a good or a bad thing, but last night I had the coolest dream. I can’t remember the whole thing – the only thing I can is the very last part and trust me after you hear it you won’t forget it either ;)

There was burglar in the house, well he didn’t quite get into the house yet but he was in the garage (I’m guessing in my dream Brad was out of town because it was just me and the dogs). I ran upstairs to grab some pepper spray and a bat then head down stairs to slowly enter the garage (just like a cop does in the movies). I leave the door open so Sydney follows me. I’m on the stairs and the burg is in the center of the room. As I’m on the stairs Sydney is on the porch at the door. When she sees the burg she climbs onto the railing and leaps onto the guy’s back bringing him down (she is leaping in the air like a squirrel from tree to tree). But my dream goes in slow motion once I noticed Sydney climbing on the railing. I yell in a slow and low voice, “NOOOOOOOOO”. Once the guy is down it goes back to normal motion. I run down and nail him with the pepper spray just to keep him down. Then Dixie runs out and starts barking at the guy, barking as if she is telling him off in dog - pretty sure she used some swear words by her tone and look.

Hands down coolest dream I’ve ever had. I think we may join the police force.

A Possible Ritual?

I'm pretty sure I've created a monster - a pedicure wanting monster that is. Last night after work I got a pedicure and it was delightful. It was only me in the store so I just sat back on the massage chair and allowed myself to be pampered - really it was pure bliss. I thought this is how I need to unwind every night. Now I have prettier (and softer) feet with french tipped toes. However, my feet are painfully ticklish so a lot of the time (especially when she had the scrubber) I was holding onto the chair bracing my self. I didn't have Andrea there to be painfully ticklish with, usually I can look to her for distraction - It was surprisingly much harder without her. But anyway I just love my toes now.

When did this happen???

5 YEARS!

5 years ago I suckered him into marrying me ;)

Looking back at our successes, our shortcomings, our trials, our life... I wouldn't change it.

"When we find someone whose weirdness is compatible with ours, we join up with them and fall into mutually satisfying weirdness -- and call it love -- true love."

And if 5 years doesn't feel weird enough - this is us 7 years ago in 2003. That is my nephew Wonder Boy - who is now the BIG 8. I can't believe how young we look.

The Problem with Tuesdays

BLAH!

I'm not sure why but I've never been a fan of Tuesdays. I think it is quite possibly my least favorite day. Why? Well, it's no longer the beginning of the week (which it technically still is but I have already finished all of the work that accumulated from the weekend, so to me, no it's not), and it's not the middle of the week yet, which means it's nowhere near the end. I once had an English teacher ask this question on a Tuesday morning, "How many of you wish it was Friday?" I think we all raised our hands. He replied, "Look at what you are wishing away." I get what he was saying, I do. We are wishing away other opportunities and experiences. However, the profoundness didn't rub off on me then nor does it now (especially now). I used to think in High School I LOVED my weekends. That was my naive self thinking I knew what love was (in more ways than one really). No, I didn't know what LOVE was for the weekend until I started working full-time 3 years ago. Now, I really know what love means.

That is all.

My new fave

I have been introduced to a new favorite. With my past diet I had slim pickings on what I could eat. So I tried this ...

I expected I wouldn't like it because I 1. Don't like Key Lime Pie and 2. I'm not a fan of yogurt.

BUT this, this is absolutely delicious. I can't get enough of it.

The Light

Well, I haven't blogged the rest of the days because they were the same. Saturday was a little better than Friday, but for the most part the same. I woke up on Saturday, so frustrated I could have cried. Saturday was day 10 the last day of pain - I thought I should have felt different - different, meaning better. But I didn't. I remember laying in bed thinking, "Are you kidding me? I'm suppose to be back at work on Monday and I'm still feeling fairly terrible". I ran some errands and visited family. When I got home that evening I was wasted, I flopped on my bed and slept.

Sunday, day 11. I woke up a different person. Really. I couldn't believe the difference - it felt like a miracle. I was able to talk normal again. The swelling was practically gone. Eating was easier and it was less painful. It was incredible. I finally saw the light.

Monday, Day 12. I went to the doctor. I'm still the same as yesterday. I went back to work today (it was brutal) by the end my throat felt swollen again (pretty sure it was from all the talking) and I was bone-tired. The doctor reminded me I was still healing - I still have huge scabs on the back of my throat. He was actually pretty funny when he walked in he said, "So do you like me again after last week?" He said this week I still need to remember to rest because my body is still healing. However, he did deliver good news. I'm healing well and no sign of infection. The best news: It just gets better from here on. No more bad days (if I do, it means something is wrong) woo-hoo!!

So I apologize for boring you of my recovery, but the journal has already proven to be useful, as I'm remembering my recovery very differently.

To summarize the tonsillectomy - yes, it sucks. Talking is difficult because of the pain and swelling. Swallowing is the most painful but you must do a lot of it to keep your throat moist. Above anything keep your throat MOIST. The most painful times were the moments I woke up from a nap, in the middle of the night, and in the morning because it had been hours since I last drank water. But it's tolerable. In fact, I quite enjoyed my week off. When I take time off it's only to go on a vacation never to just stay at home. During the recovery I was still able to do little things. I could do dishes, laundry (I've never been so caught up like I was this week), and I went for little walks everyday. However, as I mentioned before, my recovery was by the text book - not better not worse. Day 3 was awful, day 6, 7 , and 8 were all pretty bad but 6 was the worst - I was experiencing sharp pains. BUT I was able to sleep - which to me is the most vital.

Now, I have experienced one other benefit other than the obvious reasons why I decided to go through this...

Yeah, I lost that much.

With St. Lucia just around the corner I couldn't be happier. Now, the trick - keeping it off. Which I'm still eating soft foods so I think I can do it. I'm telling myself be good now, and when I get to St. Lucia (we are staying at an all inclusive resort) I can eat ANYTHING and EVERYTHING I want.

Day 9

Day 9 same as yesterday, luckily not worse. My energy is slowly coming back, woo-hoo! Swallowing is still hard so I'm still eating my small 6 mushy meals a day. Tonight I ventured out and I ate Alfredo pasta - it was superb!

Day 8

Better, oh my goodness, so much better. It still hurts to swallow and talk but just my overall well being has improved. I think I see a light at the end of this long long tunnel. My dear friend Vickie came over to visit and brought the most delicious of soups. Cream of broccoli and potato leek - yummm.

Day 7

Another painful one, to be expected I suppose. So far, I have followed the text book recovery process to a "T". I hoping that tomorrow I will feel relief.

13 Minutes and 23 Seconds

I'm moving up! Today for lunch I ate 1/4 of a croissant. It took 13 minutes and 23 seconds to eat, but neverless, I ate it and it was good.

Day 6

ROUGH.

It all started with last night. It was bad. My nose was clogged so I was breathing through my mouth when I slept which made everything dry, and from there it never got better. Tomorrow is suppose to be the bad day, so I'm hoping I'm just one day a head. The doc did say around day 6 or 7. I'm hoping this is the bump in the road and then it's steady improvements from here on out.

Now, it's only been the physical aspect of my day that has been rough. And the physical is much more bearable when my emotional, mental and other aspects are in check; which was today. Although, physically it was rough all the others have been good which in turn has helped the physical part of my recovery.

I had two visitors today that completely brightened my day and helped me from just staying in bed being mopey. Really, extroverts were NEVER meant to be recluses and it was taking a toll on me.

Then this afternoon I received this package in the mail from my parents:

I love the black doctor bag!! It was such a delight. And the soup that came with it was delicious. Thanks Mom and Dad!!

I really have the most wonderful family, friends, and neighbors in my life. They have been so thoughtful to me. So many of you of have texted, emailed, commented, and chatted with me and I've been so touched that you think of me (and to think it's just a tonsillectomy- I can't imagine heart surgery!) I feel so loved. I want you to know I really appreciate it. I know that if I ever do need major surgery (hoping that never happens) I have so many wonderful people in my life that will be there for me. So thank you! You lift my spirits! I hope I can remember all this kindness so when it's my turn to give back I can be a great family, friend, and neighbor to you.

On to other things...

Many people ask how I spend my day, this pretty much sums it up:

She never leaves my side. The only time she does is because I left and I think it kills her, because if she isn't taking care of me who is? Hmm?

Day 5

Nothing new, same as yesterday. Which if I'm going to have a positive attitude I would need to say that is a good thing. I could have gotten an infection and things could be worse - a lot worse. So at least there is nothing out of the ordinary. Also I think I'm getting used to this mushy eating thing. I have moved on to mac & cheese, and those Laughing Cows Swiss cheese things, these:

Yeah, they are delicious.

To summarize the day: It's been good.

Day 4:

Day 4 not too bad - still painful but completely tolerable. I'm just getting antsy. I just want to eat normal again, but I don't think that's happening any time in the near future. As the saying goes, "They didn't build Rome in 3 days". (But I sure wish they had).

I'm Starving

Oh, I'm so hungry. Well, not currently, I just had my beef broth with mashed potatoes; that and anything frozen are the only things that don't really hurt when they go down. Soggy bread hurts, pudding, jello and yogurt all sting on the way down. But all I want to eat is something fatning, creamy, melted, smothered, etc. I can't really explain it I'm not really craving it in the I-need-that-right-now- sorta way. I see those foods and think "gosh, that would hurt". But I've been building my list of places I want to eat after my full recovery. Really, all the weight I'm losing (which has only been 3 lbs) will go right back on. But here is the list in no particiular order:


1. Santa Monica Pizza -I've lived in Utah for 7 years now, and have never found a good pizza place until 2 months ago - which just so happens to be 1 mile from my house. This place even serves Pennsylvania Dutch Birch Beer - Yes, that's right folks Birch Beer! And when I'm fully recovered I'm going to eat pizza and drink a Birch Beer.

2. Cafe Rio - I want a pork barbacoa taco in the wheat shell with no beans but extra rice. Also I want some chips and salsa.

3. Training Table - Cheese fries please - with the ultimate dipping sauce.

4. Ruth's Diner - I want a mile high biscuit with the raspberry jam and eggs Benedict.

5. 5 Guys - Bacon burger with fries (with the vinegar - LOVE vinegar).

6. Dessert - I just want a good dessert. By friend Nancy sent me this recipe for a raspberry cookie dessert - all I want to do is make it and then eat it - all of it.

Day 3

Okay, I just want to say I'm not posting the recovery for sympathy, but if I can be of some help to others who have to go through this I'm happy to do it. Also I'm bored out of my mind laying in bed, so it gives me something to do. Also I want to write it down as it happens, so that in a month if someone is getting a tonsillectomy I'll remember everything.



Anyway, on to day 3.



Well, as day 2 started off great it didn't end so great. I was sore and talking became impossible. Swallowing hurt like the dickens. But knowing that the next day was day 3, the day the scabs would form, I kept drinking. Sleeping was difficult. I think Sydney could tell I was in pain and not sleeping well, so she came up and cuddled with me putting her head on my chest - I hope she knows how much that helped - gosh, I love that dog.



Day 3: Morning. Worst pain yet. I couldn't wait to get some pain killers. However, I woke up feisty and in a terrible mood. I'm guessing it has something to do with the combination of sleep deprivation, hunger (and I don't know about you but as for me, just being hungry always puts me in a terrible mood), pain, and boredom. I'm still at risk for bleeding so I have to keep it easy. And I was such a wench to Brad (who was completely undeserving of it he has been so sweet. Last night he went to the store and even brought me back angel food cake with yogurt because he said when I can finally move on to solids he thought I would like to eat that - yeah, I married a great guy). So I knew I had to get out of the funk. I went on the front porch to eat my Popsicle for breakfast (I needed the air). Afterwards, I gargled with salt water - honestly that felt so good. Then I took a bath, cleaned up, changed pajamas - and I'm feeling tons better. It's amazing how your attitude has a lot to do with how you feel. Yes, I'm still in pain and talking hurts but now that I'm out of the funk I'm happy and things don't seem as bad. In fact, I'd say I'm feeling quite well right now.



Also what I had for dinner last night was delicious. I got beef broth and boiled with with celery stock, carrots and onions. Of course, I couldn't eat the veggies but the broth tasted so good. I'm actually craving it.

Day 3: Night. As day 3 started off rough it's ending pretty well. I've been able to eat a bit more and in doing so can take the Percocet much better. I still love ice chips and the ice pack. By far this has been the worst day yet, which I knew it would be. They say day 3 (when scabs form) and day 7 (when scabs fall off) are your worst days, so if I'm half way done with the worst then I'm pretty sure I can handle the rest. I had ups and downs throughout the day, so I wasn't in constant misery. Hopefully, tomorrow will be better. Positive attitude.