The last couple of days have been crazy...probably not what I'm supposed to do leading up to surgery, but we've had lots of fun! We moved Ashley into her dorm on Thursday, spent time with Sarah and her friends, and lots of time with all of them at Super Target in Norman - one of our favorite places!
Friday morning we hopped in the car and drove from Norman straight to the airport in Houston. The road between Norman and Houston is long, flat, and pretty bare. I passed the time by reading the billboards along the way:
"Eat here. Get Gas. Buc'ees"
"Sams. Ham Sandwiches." I thought to myself, that's sure to bring in a lot of customers!
"Two words. Homemade fudge." Now if you had to choose: ham sandwich vs. homemade fudge?? I know where I'm stopping!
We caught our flight to Los Angeles and arrived just in time for my nephew's rehearsal dinner. Chris and Jaime were all smiles all night! What a great couple God brought together! The wedding today was one of the most beautiful and personal ceremonies I have ever seen. I was so happy to be able to celebrate this special day with my family and many special friends!
When my surgery was scheduled they gave me a prescription for the colon prep kit and a list of instructions. I was so excited that I would be able to take Ashley to school and go to the wedding that I bought my plane ticket without reading all of the instructions. When I finally read them I realized that the colon prep for surgery was to begin five days before surgery, not just the day before. So, you can imagine what the last couple of days have been like.
Pre-surgery laxatives + 7 hour car ride and 3 hour plane ride = change of clothes in my bag! (thankfully I did not have to use the spare clothes!)
Surgery is coming up in three days and I think I'm ready.
Pre-surgery checklist:
1. "X" mark on belly for ileostomy - check!
2. Prescription for Halflytely filled - check!
3. Pantry stocked with jello, chicken broth, and Sprite - check!
4. Bathrooms stocked with baby wipes - check!
5. New slippers for the hospital - check!
I know I'm ready to have it over with and move on to the next steps in my healing process! Please pray on Monday that I will actually be able to drink all the colon prep solution!
Update on Stacey: Many of you have been praying for Stacey's healing and her recent surgery. I wanted to let you know that she is doing well! The doctor felt like they removed all the cancer with her surgery. Several of her lymph nodes tested positive for cancer, but her PET scan showed no cancer cells anywhere in her body! She will begin radiation treatments soon to make sure there are no micro-metastases. Please continue to pray for her strength as she receives these treatments and begins the new school year at the same time. Thank you!
"As the bridegroom rejoices over his bride, so will your God rejoice over you." Isaiah 62:5
Go get 'em Tiger! God is already doing the prep work with you, as evidenced by not using the "spare clothes" during your long trips. Praying, praying, praying for you and Mark.
ReplyDeleteDistractions are always welcome before a surgery! Your doing GREAT!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteYou're doing awesome! Still praying vigilantly at 11:40 p.m. and praising God for all He is doing and has done!Thank you for allowing us to take this journey with you and allowing us to actually see our prayers in action!! We don't always get to do that!! xoxo
ReplyDeleteI don't know exactly what solution you are drinking but the one I had to drink taste like salt water--it wasn't too bad really. I have done at least 7 of them now!! My dr. suggested that I chew sugarless gum while drinking the soln. so it would "mask" the taste. It worked so I wanted to pass that along to you in case you would like to check with your dr. about the sugarless gum! Praying for you!
ReplyDeleteSeeing as I JUST had my colonoscopy on Friday, and I JUST went through the prep process, I'm definitely feeling your pain (or at least that part of it!) The good news is that my colonoscopy was clean!! Thanks for prompting ALL of us to go get them (especially those of us with some pesky symptoms!). By the way, get a very long straw and point the solution towards the back of your throat. I found it was much easier this time doing that. Still praying for you!! Love you guys!
ReplyDeleteHi, Laura!
ReplyDeleteSo glad you were able to go to all of the events and functions! We are praying for you as you prepare for surgery! I know about the Oklahoma drive! Andrew works in Branson every summer and the girls live in Dallas! Been to Sam's, Buc-ees, you name it! And that's just the Texas part of the drive!
I start school tomorrow, but I will still be checking in and praying for you!
Ellen
Hi Laura,
ReplyDeleteIt brings me lots of joy & tears to see how much you enjoy every minute of your life. May God continue to bless you and GOOD luck on surgery tomorrow. =)
Nice post on Los Angeles Colonoscopy.
ReplyDelete