Dear Diary...

Nervous

So tomorrow was a hang-loose kind of day.  Shower and applied new silicone gel- Kelo Cote for aiding healing of scars.

I'm nervous for tomorrow.  I know it wil be fine, but I'm a minor wreck.

Went to Lifegroup, but of course had to leave early.  Irina said a nice prayer for me- I know they'll help me when the time comes.

I'm watching Being Human now.  I had wanted to watch An Idiot Abroad, but the DVR had repeated, so it was last week's episode.

Tomorrow is at 8:30 in the morning.  I'll check in and then wait.  They'll bring me back to disrobe, then wait some more.  Put in an IV and I'm going to insist on a lot of feelgoods.  Procedure is an hour and a half (though googling it, it should be quicker.) Then 2-4 hours in recovery.  That seems an awful long time.  When I had my ablation and tubal ligation, I was HOME by 9:45 (check in at 7.) Now that was awfully quick.

I made it a month- every day.  Woohoo.  Now I have to start finding substance.

Rainy Sunday

Today was Pastor Steve's 10th anniversary at St. John's Pres.  His father delivered the sermon and there was a luncheon afterwards.  It was nice, despite the rain. Our weather has been screwy lately. Jeff joined us for lunch (Baja Bud's!) Afterwards, there was a presentation in the sanctuary for Steve.  It was some praise songs (sigh, more singin') though Tom was funny calling it Jesus karaoke because the words were on the screen.  After that, people got up and spoke- people whom Steve has affected personally and have been at St. John's for a long time.  People to whom Steve has dedicated prayer and time when they are in need.  He called us several times during my ordeal and prayed for us.

Jeff just about knocked my socks off when he got up and said his thanks and how much Steve and church has meant to Cameron and me.  (I thought Jeff was getting up to leave but right up to the microphone he marched.)  It was very short and sweet.  Tom D. called and said that Steve was very impressed and touched that Jeff would come up and speak.  Most of the speakers are long time St. Johnsians and their words were expected, but Jeff's weren't.

Tom's bringing me some screeners for Tuesday's recovery.  I really don't know the downtime, but I'm planning on milking it. 

Belle dropped by, unfortunately feeling sick, so I didn't let her in- can't chance getting sick until I'm better.  She picked up my bags of too big clothes.  I hope some of them fit her.  They need a good home.  Whatever doesn't work for her will go to Salvation Army or Goodwill.

So my old navy haul last night included a cute white eyelet top with pintucks, a totally obnoxious 70s button up blouse in a blue/green/white floral print, 2 pairs of SIZE SIX jeans, a pair of size 8 soft pink capris, a grey/white polka dotted cardigan, and a cute pair of pewter ballet flats.  The no butt thing does cause some sagginess, but it's not a complaint.

They never got back to me from yoga works.  Maybe that's a sign.  Ballet?  Maybe not quite yet- after I go back to work.  Walking-yes.  ASAP.

Tom just dropped off some screeners- movies I haven't heard much of yet.  Cool anyhow. Gives the adults in the house something to do.

Poor Cam's been working all afternoon on his Points of Interest CiaB assignment.  It's taking a while, but it looks good. We told him this morning that we don't think he's going to get a 4 on the project and it hurt his feelings mightily.  He cried for a long time and we had a good discussion about it.  He's too smart and sadly has been sucked into the xBox vortex.  He does the bare minimum and doesn't realize that the bare minimum isn't going to get him back into being allowed to play.  One week left. 

six is a lovely number

cameron's lax team victory 12-5.  he scored once.

on to the big news.  size six low (lowest) rise jeans.  no stretching needed... thanks jen for getting my ass out of bed to go to Old Navy on a 30% off evening. 

5 things for which I am grateful, today (Susan's prompt from yesterday's lunch)

5.  Imminent removal of IVC filter- it means that the powers that be think I'm better.

4. Going back to work on March 2nd- with 5 weeks of co-teaching (push-in) with the amazing Elvira.

3. Great friends...

2. City in a Box project is almost done.

1. Wonderful husband and son!

I had a nice, though too short, from Lisa Z. today at lunchtime.  She arrived and I thought, boy, I should have had lunch ready for her.  Whoops... I told her to send everyone else my way.

Susan's 50th

It was a nice luncheon today!  We celebrated Susan's 50th birthday at Whist at the Viceroy Hotel in Santa Monica.

I started out at The Dry Bar to get my hair done- looks fabulous.  I dressed up in nice jeans (too loose!), DL Rhein belt, and nice new sheer shirt from the Gap. Wore makeup.  I'll post pictures once Susan sends them.

Cathy picked me up and we had a twisty turny trip.  Forgot to exit on the freeway, ended up on PCH, u-turn, ended up at the wrong hotel, then went in the out once we finally got to the Viceroy.  We had to laugh. Cathy bought a gorgeous flower centerpiece.  Hotel was very chic and we sat outside- it was a bit chilly until they turned on the heaters. 

I had a lovely mushroom soup, with hazlenuts, and some sorty of creamy cheese meringue.  I also split a BLAT with Cathy.  Delish.  We bought one of each of the desserts on the menu to share (chocolate bread pudding with espresso ice cream an chocolate sauce, apple crumble, and a cookie plate.

IVC filter removal is scheduled for Tuesday at 8:30.  Last dose of warfarin is Friday night- lovenox bridge starts Saturday morning through Monday morning.  No lovenox on Monday night. No food or drink past midnight Monday.  Arrival at admisssions Ronald Regan UCLA at 8:30. Procedure should last an hour.  I'm going to negotiate for lots of knockout product. Cheers!

lacrosse victory

Dr. K. has cleared me for activity and everything except still packing (lightly) the gauze in my back wound.  Not even a bandaid for the front wound.

Cam's game was a solid victory against the Red.  Eleven-five,  or something like that.

After the game, I had a serious low blood sugar crash (might have been all the red vines I ate...) so we stopped at Taco Bell for beans and an empanada (no meat substitute.)

Unfortunately, I passed out asleep and forgot to take my meds.

 

so urban

I had an ultrasound appointment early at UCLA this morning to check for clots in my legs.  Fortunately there were none to be found, which paves the way for removal of the IVC filter.  I don't know the time schedule that will happen under, but boy they got me scheduled for the ultrasound very quickly.  Hopefully this will happen as quickly.

Jeff had to work right after dropping me at the hospital, so I took the bus home.  So urban.  I only had to wait about 3 minutes, not even enough time to make a phone call or text.  It dropped me off right at the corner and walked the half-block to the house.  Easy peasy.  It seemed much quicker than driving the car- plus it only cost a dollar, vs. the $11 for regular parking at the medical center. I felt so urban, riding the bus...

I hung out at home for the early afternoon and Irina brought me a salad for lunch- what a lovely friend.  Butternut squash, walnuts, bacon, arugula, shaved parmesan, and cranberries.  Mmmm.  I read and napped a bit.  Then I laced on the running shoes and shuffled to pick up Cam at school.  I don't even know if the Nike+ registered my speed, but I gave it a try anyway.  Round trip it's a mile.

When we got home, Cam worked on his CiaB project- and I assisted (made) him add to it.  It would have been a fine essay for a 2nd grader (maybe earning a 3), but for a bright 4th grader, he would have earned a 2. He typed it in, printed it off, and checked it off his list.  7/12 complete.  A couple of hard ones left, but at least those are more interesting.

Cam has scouts now and scoutmaster Tom is sick, and something seems to be going around the kids (and parents) so it probably will be lightly attended.  I printed out a gathering activity that should keep them busy for maybe ten minutes.  Fortunately we have Shawn who can get the kids moving and having fun.  I'll probably be able to attend next month's pack meeting.

I also have an email in to the yoga people about a few private lessons to get me started stretching.  BBO sent me some nice yoga pants that actually fit (she must have sent the stuff that was too big on her...)

Tomorrow is a visit with the surgeon- hopefully he'll be able to give some indication as to when the holes on my left hip will close up.  Jeff is dutifully packing them, but the entry wounds are getting small (still deep) and it's hard to get the gauze into them.

We also have a lacrosse game tomorrow night instead of practice, so I'll have to bundle up warmly- the Westchester field is chilly at night.  It's going to be a tough game.

woohoo! (x2)

Must be the percocet- somehow I've lost an entire week. Here I've been freaking out that he has one week from today to finish his project, when it's TWO weeks from today. I am a doofus. I had even printed out a calendar with all the dates blocked out that he has other obligations and a big star on the due date. He has six final assignments done completely (five others have all been drafted) and one to do both rough and final draft (out of a total of 12.) Easy peasy. He's already completed the more difficult artsy projects.

I did go hover mother and organize (in the guise of teaching him how to organize) his assignments, which is how I realized that he has 2 weeks to finish. Still no xBox, but he can have limited television until he's done with the damned thing. Maybe the xBox will be the carrot to get the project finished early.

woohoo #2

During this whole surgery mess, I had an IVC filter placed to prevent clots dispersing through my veinous system. I thought it would be quite some time after I was off coumadin that my filter would be removed. I had an appointment today that surprised me. I'm having an ultrasound for DVTs in my calves tomorrow early in the AM and that will determine when the filter will be removed.

The FDA recommends removal asap depending on condition of clotting and future clotting possibilities.

So, it might happen very soon! Yay. And boo. Glad to get the metal out of my artery, but boo that they're going to snake a catheter through my jugular again. I'm going to insist on either a general or twilight sleep. Not going to be awake again, period.

I really thought it wouldn't be until this summer.

Sunday Tiger (helpless kitten?) Mother

It makes me sad that Cam is too big for me to carry.  It's been a while since I've been able to lug him around.  He's also not wanted to cuddle for a while.  I did get a bedtime cuddle in a week or so ago, so I know he's not unwilling. However, gone are the days where the first thing we heard in the morning was his shuffly little feet coming down the hallway to clamber into bed betewen us.  Now he heads right for the computer, book, or xBox, depending on the day or restrictions he's under.

I offended him a couple of days ago after multiple questions about guns, video games, video game guns, knives, and other completely uninteresting things (to me) that I needed a girl to talk about girly things.  We were joking, but I think it did hurt him.  It did lead to a good discussion about how we need to find other things to do together that interest me.

He does still love me reading to him- I use character voices...

This CiaB is going to kill me.  I told Jeff that I needed Cam home yesterday to work on it, and now he's saying that I should have been more forceful (ie- been the bad guy and insisted) about Cam staying hom.  I'm tired of being the bad guy.  I wanted Cam to give me a report early this morning about what he needs to finish and what I can do to help him, but he refused because he was playing xBox, so I'm done.  If his project isn't finished, or sub-par, I'm writing Mr. Fong a letter saying that Cameron was uninterested in doing the project because of the video games.   It's become a bone of contention between Jeff and me- the damned thing has now officially gotten in the way of Cameron's education.  Yes, I know I should be the bad guy, but it's tiring.  Cameron knows where to get help and maybe not finishing CiaB and getting a 2 in social studies will wake him up.

Can't force it.  I'm not going to be a Tiger Mother.  And yes, I just bought the kindle book despite not wanting to put any money in that woman's pocket.  I probably should make Cam read it to show him how he could have it.

So, church this morning and then the salt-mines of project afternoon.  Ugh.  If Jeff lets Cameron touch the xBox, I swear, I'm going to dismantle the things and take it somewhere they can't find it.  Neither of them.

Serious bedhead this morning!

Jeans!

Today was my first day in jeans since surgery.  I'm still wearing the abdominal binder for comfort, support, and keeping the swelling down.  So even with the binder, tank top, and t-shirt, the pants were quite saggy.  I'll have to (yay!) try a smaller size.  They're not terribly comfy, but they haven't been washed yet, so that might be why they're still feeling a bit stiff. I didn't need pain meds to get out of bed and didn't take anything until 11 (yay, again!)

So Cam's team won their lacrosse game today, 13-6.  They have a talented group of kids who have been playing together for quite some time, plus most of the kids play spring ball in the Adrenaline CYA league. Their opponents haven't had as much experience playing together, and it is the first time playing for many of the kids as it is a developmental league.

It was quite a steamroll, and it was hard, because towards the end, the coach had our goalie pull back and basically give them four goals.  Even at this young age, the kids know they're being handed a goal and don't like it.  It will be interesting to see how the coaches deal with this issue of mismatched level play. On our offence, our coach made the kids pass a minimum of four times before they could shoot.  Jeff suggested the kids play off-handed, which would be good practice. Cam was scored on twice, so lost his scoreless streak.  Oh well...

Jeff brougt me home and took Cameron back to the field, which waylaid my plans of working with Cam on CiaB.  That only leaves tomorrow afternoon to work, and no rest for me.  I did get to rest this afternoon, but I'd rather work with breaks inbetween.  That's not going to happen tomorrow.  Maybe it will be Jeff's turn to help Cam tomorrow. Hmmmm. Not a bad idea. No xBox for either of them.

Didn't feel all that hot this afternoon, so I really rested and slept. Jeff's officiating at a middle school until about 8 so won't be home until later.  Good think I have the cats to keep me company.

Tomorrow is church and CiaB.  Whoo! (Not so much on the second activity...)