Dr. visit today

Lauren and I went to see the surgeon, Dr. Meyer, today for my post-op checkup, and he took the sutures out and said everything looks good. I feel better each day and I do not think I am having the pressure in my head I had before surgery. The back of my head is partially numb and tingly from surgery, and I have minor pain, but no headaches. We had to wait for 1 hour for the appointment, and my neck didn't hurt that whole time, so that is great news! Now that the sutures are out, I must be careful for the next week or so to keep pressure off of the back of my head, so I will still have to continue to sleep with a couple of pillows and on my side, which I do anyway. All in all, I am very encouraged at how things are going. I will return to the doctor in 1 month and have MRIs done in about 3 months. My prayers are that the syrinx in my spinal cord will have gotten smaller, and hopefully the symptoms lessening that were caused by it.

Please also pray that I will start to sleep sounder; I think the pain meds are interfering, making it seem as if I am awake most of the night, but I do have dreams so I know I am getting some sleep and I feel rested. Oh, one more prayer request: I will be off the steroids by Thursday, going through a weaning-off time since coming home from the hospital, so please pray that I do not get any rebound headaches. Dr. Meyer warned me that it could happen and that he would have to put me back on the steroids, but I haven't been having headaches even with cutting back each day on the dose, so I am hoping that all goes well. As I said, each day gets better and I feel stronger, and I have your prayers and God's grace and mercy to thank for that. We serve a great God and He is ever faithful!

So thankful

My new normal is slow and easy, and I am grateful for each night that I sleep and each day that has less pain. The meds work well and the pain varies; it is the stiffness and numbness in my head that feels odd, but my neck is fine. I feel like I am wearing a tight cap on the back of my head, but I know this will pass. One thing that is very irritating is the stiff substance that was used with the electrodes attached to my head during surgery. I can't get it out of my hair, and it snags and pulls. I thought I was getting a small chunk a minute ago, and I did, along with a clump of hair, so that's not good! But I am so thankful that the surgery went as it should, and I know as time passes I will be able to tell what the results are.

I am so encouraged by the cards, visits, emails, calls and food, of course, that so many people have showered me (us) with. God is with me through you, and that is how I feel His presence now. His promises remain true and He uses His people to fulfill them. I have never felt alone nor have I felt sorry for doing this, because He gives me comfort and strength.

Erin, Sara and Lauren; thank you for being here always. Your love and help have been like a comforting shawl wrapped around me. Erin is back in Minneapolis now; thank you, John, for going it solo with the boys while she was here. Seeing the boys on the webcam is the best medicine - so is having Maya here. She keeps me smiling!

My sister, Karilyn, is headed to AZ today to get our mom, who is moving across the street from Karilyn and Bruce in Wisconsin. Please pray for my sister as she travels and for them both when they fly back to WI in a few days. Please pray for our mom, Doris, as she adjusts to her new, much cooler climate and new home that Karilyn and Bruce have prepared for her. Thanks to Gary and Chuck, our brothers, and their wives, as they helped collect a few things to make her house a home. What a relief it is to know she will be well taken care of now.

Fifty-five alive: 55 Things I love (with no rhyme or reason); Updated to 59!

Fifty-five Alive: 55 Things I love (with no rhyme or reason) Updated to 59 as of Feb. 1, 2013

59. All of our children and grandchildren now living nearby ~ thank you, Jesus!
58. Our grandson Ben, number 4 grand!
57. Snowfalls that don't stick around too long but are so pretty when they happen
56. Our new home, a cottage in a lovely new neighborhood
55. The sound of our grandchildren's voices, their sweet smiles, and their hugs and kisses
54. The smell of autumn leaves
53. Freshly-baked Pumpkin Bread
52. Sunday dinner after church
51. Apple Cider
50. the first pot of chili for the chilly weather
49. fall-scents candles warming the rooms
48. the first snowfall
47. Visiting a pumpkin farm
46. Getting the ok by the doctor to lift Maya!
45. Crisp fall days
44. Hallmark movies that make me cry
43. Sunday afternoon naps (somehow different from just regular naps)
42. Crickets chirping - a sign of fall weather on the way!
41. The Mitford series by Jan Karon
40. zucchini bread
39. Lucy just howled in her sleep!
38. watermelon on a hot day
37. The first day of school
36. Tylenol
35. Skyping with Mom and Karilyn - thanks, girls!
34. going for a morning walk
33. the Black-eyed Susans blooming by our garage
32. celebrating the removal of sutures with a brownie and a glass of raspberry lemonade!
31. sweet corn
30. cello/piano music
29. PBS "As Time Goes By"
28. airplanes that bring loved ones close
27. the comfort of my own bed
26. the smell of food wafting upstairs that Erin and Sara are making for the freezer; yum!
25. pillows
24. Home Sweet Home
23. webcam - I tell all the grandparents I know about it!
22. snowmen (it's in the 90s here today)
21. Lavender, any time, any place
20. The sunflowers dancing in our garden
19. "ZuZu's petals! Zuzu's petals!" (Jimmy Stewart, "It's a Wonderful Life")
18. the smell of rain
17. naps
16. Rocky Road ice cream
15. reading, hearing and praying the Word of God
14. getting mail
13. Focus on the Family (without it, my kids would've probably joined a circus)
12. fresh, cool breezes that waft through our windows, blowing the lace curtains
11. picture frames (they hold the ones I love when I cannot hold them in my arms)
10. garden tomatoes and mayo on whole wheat toast
9. CampNanaPapa (the grandkids' room at our house)
8. baby handprints on our mirrors and windows
7. slumbering in the hammock with a soft breeze
6. wicker furniture on our porch and patio to relax in
5. freshly washed bedding on a summer night
4. brownies, for their scent and taste!
3. a good night sleep (let me here the Amens!)
2. peonies, for their scent and beauty
1. the wall paint in our bedroom

There'a no place like home

I got home today before noon, and it feels so good to be here. Sara and Maya came by for lunch and I was able to get a much-needed nap in this afternoon. I see Lauren has done a good job keeping up the blog! I hope he can rest in the days ahead, too. It will be so good to have Erin come in tonight. My head hurts, of course, and I don't really feel like doing much, but as the days improve, I will tell you about the wonderful women in ICU and at the floor I was on. I praise God also for my surgeon, Dr.Meyer. Thank you for all of the prayers, emails, calls and food. We are so blessed.

Monday the 17th

Good evening,
Laurie remains in the hospital. The Doctor saw her this morning shortly after 8. All is looking good. She was able to have no bandage today. She showered without help (other than the shower chair to sit on). We took a couple longer walks and the blood sugar levels seemed to be more stable. Her spirits continue to be good. I think it is likely that she will be discharged on Tuesday. Tuesday evening (late) Erin will arrive from Minneapolis. Her sister (Sara) will be at the airport to meet - greet and drive Erin here. The hospital was busy today (I'm pretty sure it had something to do with it being Monday). I think I prefer the hospital atmosphere of Saturday and Sunday. I find myself this evening a bit tired and ready to wrap things up so I can get to bed. I'd like to be at the hospital before 8 tomorrow morning so I'm with Laurie when her Doctor arrives to see her. Sleep well.
Lauren

Sunday

Hello,
This morning Laurie was okayed to have a shower and wash her hair (obviously with help). Sara was with me so she was able to help her mom with drying and brushing her hair. Much better to have Sara's assistance than mine. I think the pain and discomfort was a bit less than yesterday. Monday she will be seen by her Doctor and will learn if she goes home Monday or Tuesday. I'm voting for Tuesday. Even though she is doing quite well, I think she could benefit from a longer stay. She did get a decent night's sleep last night, so we'll hope and pray for that again this night. Take care one and all,
Lauren

Today was a good day

Good evening,
Laurie was moved from ICU to a regular room on the 5th floor about 3:00 pm. She is doing quite well considering the surgery she had. She is needing sleep. Last night with her pain and the activity of an ICU, she had little sleep. Laurie is looking forward to tomorrow when hopefully her hair can be washed. The Doctor ordered that the surgery area needed to be dry for at least 48 hours. Again Laurie was blessed with nurses that were caring beyond belief (found out they are Christians) Praise the Lord! Thank you one and all for your thoughts and prayers!
Lauren