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.