The Hospital Hotel

Just got home last night, from "Movin' on up to my deluxe apartment" on the 6th floor at the hospital hotel. After three nights of being treated like a princess, with my very own call button on my adjustable bed, being woke up every four hours just to make sure I'm still alive and kickin' (what service!), and watching my sweet hubby sleep on a cot 2 inches wide (that is love people!!!), I am finally home.



This adventure all started last week. You may remember me writing about how sick I was... high fever, chills, nausea... I had it all. The doctor wasn't sure what was wrong, but sent me home with two antibiotics, hoping they would cure about any infection or virus I might have. I felt a little better, but never could shake it. Then the call came Thursday afternoon. They wanted me to come back into the office, some of my lab work had come back and they discovered what my problem was. After having an ultrasound, it was confirmed... my poor gallbladder was sick. Infected, swollen and cram full of stones. Because I hadn't complained of pain, they hadn't thought to look there first. So I was shipped off to Little Rock for surgery... or so I thought.



You see, my gallbladder was very sick, I was very sick. The doctor said if he operated right then, he would have to perform "major" surgery, instead doing it laparoscopic (hope I spelled that right.) So in the best interest of me and my body, and the healing process later, he ordered bed rest, fluids, antibiotics and a "princess" stay in the hospital hotel for a few days. I go later this week for a follow up and we will set the date for the looming surgery. In the mean time, I am to take it easy, follow a strict diet and wait. If I have an attack at all, of any kind, I am to go immediately back to the hospital and they will go ahead and take the sick gallbladder out.



Thanks for the prayers. I am going to make it through all of this. God is good and He has perfect timing. I realized that in the hospital, when my doctor ended up being a man of faith, someone with children in ministry and began talking about the spiritual warfare going on behind all the timing of all this (our VBS is this week and camp is quickly approaching, anxious times for the hubby, without having to worry about a sick wife.) He had the bedside manner of a servant of God and immediately put me at ease. Am I happy about missing camp...NO. But, I know that this is bigger than me.



The positive is that I am learning how strong and "grown up" I can be when needed. I didn't make them chase me down one time with the needles. When the lab Nazi lady came and drew my blood at 3:00 a.m. and HURT and BRUISED me (I still have the evidence!), I just sweetly said "thank you." When they brought me my liquid diet for two days, with scrumptious concoctions that were "out of this world" (not in a good way!!!), I did my best to suffer through it and didn't throw one bowl.



So, here I am, resting on the couch, watching Gilmore Girls reruns, trying to catch up on the world that didn't stop for my three day adventure. I am thankful to be back with my kiddos, in my own bed, with the menu of my choosing (within the limits, of course). However, I am thinking I do miss that "princess" button, though. :)



Special thanks goes to the ladies at work who sent me a beautiful bouquet of flowers, they brightened up the princess room. My parents who bought my hubby dinner, brought me a beautiful plant that hopefully even "black thumb" me can't kill, and whose support Friday was felt. (Mama and Dad ALWAYS make things brighter, even at 39 years of age.) My sister, who brought me CUTE jammies, to wear on my walks down the hall, and a bunch of magazines to keep me busy. My nephews who wrote me the sweetest get well cards, that is ALWAYS the best kind of gift. My in-laws who took the kiddos and the dog in, did my laundry and cooked me a yummy bowl of soup for my first lunch back at home. All the friends who stopped by, called or prayed... it was all felt. To my church family for providing and planning meals for the family while I'm down and out. To my kiddos for being troopers, and for giving me the best hugs when I returned... I think they missed me. :) And most of all to my hubby, who stayed with me the whole time. Nothing like a little "sickness and in health" experience to help one realize the marriage is still strong after 17 years. I love you, Kev.

Now that I got my sappy "thank yous" out of the way, I hope to be back checking up on everyone. Hope your summer is going well. God is good ALL the time.