Last night, around 11:30 PM, I woke up in a tremendous amount of pain. It was the same thing that had woken me up at 4:00 AM the day before, but that had been minor. This one was much worse, akin to an attack that I had a year and a half ago that had me home from work for a week. That had been diagnosed as acid reflux, and knowing we wre going to be a bit less careful on our diet with visitors this weekend, I had already started Prilosec OTC. It didn't help. I spent the night in agony. As a religious man, I pleaded with my Heavenly Father to take the pain away. It sometimes lessened a little, but not enough to let me sleep.
Bubbles, the amazingly sweet and supportive wife she always is, went and got Pepto for me at 5:00 AM when the first store opened. It didn't help. Finally I consented to go to the emergency room at 6:00 AM, and away we went.
I explained the acid reflux thing, but they weren't sure. After all, acid reflux can have the same symptoms as a gall bladder attack, but the things I'd done should have calmed acid reflux.
Thankfully, they gave me strong pain killers (narcotics through an IV can really take care of severe pain quickly). I had to remember to breathe because my body didn't want to do it automatically, but the pain was subdued.
The doctor had some blood work done and ordered an ultrasound. It turned out, as he put it, that I had more gall stones in there than he could count. How's that a blessing, you might ask.
Well, first of all, nothing was inflamed or infected, so no emergency surgery was required. I'll be able to schedule a surgery. That's a blessing, because although most surgeons do great work any under circumstance, a prepped laporoscopic procedure means a rested surgeon ready to work and a quick recovery.
The second blessing was how my prayers were answered. I was pleading to have my pain taken away, and I meant right then. As usual, Heavenly Father had bigger, better plans. By allowing me to suffer for a few hours, I got the proper diagnosis and will have my gall bladder removed, ending these attacks forever. I'll still watch my diet because I should anyway, but instead of having to watch out for acid reflux the rest of my life, I'll have a simple, routine procedure and never have to worry about these hideously painful episodes again. He didn't answer me by taking away the pain of one incident. He answered by making sure the proper diagnosis was procured and after a surgery, I'd never have this problem again. Now that's an answer to prayer.
I also appreciate that our trials are not more severe than they are. I'm so grateful I'm not handed more than I can bear. A gall bladder? That's a trial I can handle with His help. There are much worse things from which He has kindly spared me.
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Saturday, July 25, 2009
Fun weekend
I had my annual performance review at work this week. That was fantastic. I'm always very stressed beforehand, but the review went well. My boss is a great guy. I work hard, so I'm glad it's noticed. It really all comes down to feeling like I owe honest work for the pay I receive. I'm not content to get by with the minimum.
This weekend we got to play host to the only family we're really close to. It's been nice. They've been having some stress, so we planned to make things very relaxed for them--we're making sure they don't have to worry about anything if we can help it.
My brother and I also finally made something happen we'd talked about. My family has a great internet connection, and my brother and I use a small remote-access server for a few minor functions. He has one located at his home, and he's on a DSL connection, which is great. Ours is a fiber-optic connection, so it turns out to be significantly faster than DSL. So, we grabbed some RAM and a switched out a hard drive and made an old machine into a local server here to do some of the jobs taking advantage of the excellent connection. It's all noncommercial stuff and small, so nothing powerful was needed. I'm excited to have it working.
This weekend we got to play host to the only family we're really close to. It's been nice. They've been having some stress, so we planned to make things very relaxed for them--we're making sure they don't have to worry about anything if we can help it.
My brother and I also finally made something happen we'd talked about. My family has a great internet connection, and my brother and I use a small remote-access server for a few minor functions. He has one located at his home, and he's on a DSL connection, which is great. Ours is a fiber-optic connection, so it turns out to be significantly faster than DSL. So, we grabbed some RAM and a switched out a hard drive and made an old machine into a local server here to do some of the jobs taking advantage of the excellent connection. It's all noncommercial stuff and small, so nothing powerful was needed. I'm excited to have it working.
Saturday, July 18, 2009
A great day
It's been a great day. Not for the usual reasons. Well, some of the usual reasons. It's good to be home with Bubbles and Spawn.
The reason things are so great at the moment is spiritual. Yesterday I got some bad news, not about my wife or child, but about close family undergoing some financial tribulations. I immediately started to fast. It's been the best fast I've had in a very long time. I've been driven to my knees again and again pleading with my Heavenly Father for loved ones.
Who knew you could be humbled and grow spiritually through someone else's trial?
The reason things are so great at the moment is spiritual. Yesterday I got some bad news, not about my wife or child, but about close family undergoing some financial tribulations. I immediately started to fast. It's been the best fast I've had in a very long time. I've been driven to my knees again and again pleading with my Heavenly Father for loved ones.
Who knew you could be humbled and grow spiritually through someone else's trial?
Chats with Bubbles
I mentioned to Bubbles she should post this because it's touching. She forgot. Spawn is a sweetie. This was Thursday July 16.
12:53 PM Bubbles: As I was making my sammich I was telling Spawn about Swiss cheese and how yummy it is and she said she didn't like it and I said,"You don't know what you're missing." She said, "I know what I'm missing--Daddy."
Some days I wish I was really wealthy, retired at a young age and playing with my child. Still, work is good, and I'm very blessed to have it.
12:53 PM Bubbles: As I was making my sammich I was telling Spawn about Swiss cheese and how yummy it is and she said she didn't like it and I said,"You don't know what you're missing." She said, "I know what I'm missing--Daddy."
Some days I wish I was really wealthy, retired at a young age and playing with my child. Still, work is good, and I'm very blessed to have it.
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Father's Day
I was treated to a special breakfast this morning. I feel so special. I was really tired, so this morning was one of the few mornings I actually slept in. Not that that kept Spawn from taking precautionary measures to make sure I didn't come out early and see the special breakfast. She built one of her special stuffed animal walls to keep me sequestered.
I wanted to try to get a photo before she knocked it down, but when I woke up at about 7:35 AM I spent a few minutes reading, then headed into the bathroom to shave. Breakfast was ready while I was shaving (bad timing on my part), and Spawn knocked down the wall. Here's the architect in the middle of her freshly destroyed creation.
And the component parts:
The breakfast itself was amazing. Bubbles is a sweetheart. She doesn't care for breakfast, so making something like this was a big sacrifice. I feel loved. You can see a freshly cut rose (which was delicious), tomato juice (love it!), orange juice (also a favorite), home made waffles (no mixes), cheese and bacon scrambled eggs on toast, bacon and sausage. Artery clogging goodness. Given that we don't do this almost ever, it's a real treat that shouldn't do us any harm.
I feel loved. What a great day!
I wanted to try to get a photo before she knocked it down, but when I woke up at about 7:35 AM I spent a few minutes reading, then headed into the bathroom to shave. Breakfast was ready while I was shaving (bad timing on my part), and Spawn knocked down the wall. Here's the architect in the middle of her freshly destroyed creation.
And the component parts:
The breakfast itself was amazing. Bubbles is a sweetheart. She doesn't care for breakfast, so making something like this was a big sacrifice. I feel loved. You can see a freshly cut rose (which was delicious), tomato juice (love it!), orange juice (also a favorite), home made waffles (no mixes), cheese and bacon scrambled eggs on toast, bacon and sausage. Artery clogging goodness. Given that we don't do this almost ever, it's a real treat that shouldn't do us any harm.
I feel loved. What a great day!
Saturday, June 20, 2009
Grasshoppers and breakfast
No, they're not related. I don't eat grasshoppers or steal their breakfasts.
This morning I went forth to brave the heat and mow the lawn. Mother nature had a nice surprise for me: no heat! She knows I don't like it, so she's being kind so far this Summer. Could be the lack of sunspot activity noted in the news, because apparently the entire planet is enjoying a cooler summer. Whatever it is, I'm good with it for very selfish reasons.
Afterward I had to finish cutting up some junk so it would fit in our garbage can for pick up (done, yay!).
On my way back from clean up, I happened upon a grasshopper. Well, Spawn is big into grasshoppers right now. Into a jar he or she went (I don't know how to tell gender on a grasshopper) and I brought it in for Spawn, who was thrilled.
I discussed it with Spawn. We could keep the grasshopper, and it would eventually die, or we could set it free. She said she wanted to watch it for a while then let it go, but she did not want it to die. She's a very soft-hearted child. I approve.
So this afternoon Spawn and I headed out to the front lawn and set "Crickety" free. Crickety didn't seem very grateful, but it survived its day of human captivity.
Spawn also spilled the beans that there's a special father's day breakfast in the offing tomorrow. Sneaky. The only problem is that I'm the earliest riser, so I'm under strict orders to stay in bed until they get their sneakiness done. Looks like I'll be getting through a few pages of "The Real George Washington."
I kind of wish I were calling my own dad tomorrow, but since the conclusion of the unpleasantness earlier this year, we haven't spoken, and probably won't ever again. I'm resigned to that, as he was happy to set aside my family's safety and say some nasty things about me, but it's my first year without a father. I'll pray a bit more, I guess. There's one Father who doesn't fail.
This morning I went forth to brave the heat and mow the lawn. Mother nature had a nice surprise for me: no heat! She knows I don't like it, so she's being kind so far this Summer. Could be the lack of sunspot activity noted in the news, because apparently the entire planet is enjoying a cooler summer. Whatever it is, I'm good with it for very selfish reasons.
Afterward I had to finish cutting up some junk so it would fit in our garbage can for pick up (done, yay!).
On my way back from clean up, I happened upon a grasshopper. Well, Spawn is big into grasshoppers right now. Into a jar he or she went (I don't know how to tell gender on a grasshopper) and I brought it in for Spawn, who was thrilled.
I discussed it with Spawn. We could keep the grasshopper, and it would eventually die, or we could set it free. She said she wanted to watch it for a while then let it go, but she did not want it to die. She's a very soft-hearted child. I approve.
So this afternoon Spawn and I headed out to the front lawn and set "Crickety" free. Crickety didn't seem very grateful, but it survived its day of human captivity.
Spawn also spilled the beans that there's a special father's day breakfast in the offing tomorrow. Sneaky. The only problem is that I'm the earliest riser, so I'm under strict orders to stay in bed until they get their sneakiness done. Looks like I'll be getting through a few pages of "The Real George Washington."
I kind of wish I were calling my own dad tomorrow, but since the conclusion of the unpleasantness earlier this year, we haven't spoken, and probably won't ever again. I'm resigned to that, as he was happy to set aside my family's safety and say some nasty things about me, but it's my first year without a father. I'll pray a bit more, I guess. There's one Father who doesn't fail.
Saturday, June 6, 2009
It's Waffle Time
It's waffle time. Spawn has been asking for them for a few weeks, but we've been so busy I haven't been able to do it. She likes Eggo waffles fine, but she likes homemade Belgian waffles better. So, I whipped out the recipe and made them. Spawn and Bubbles are enjoying now. I'll have one after they're all done cooking.
We went for a walk this morning and Spawn and I were doing a bit of running and fast walking. Unfortunately she hit some uneven pavement and fell pretty hard. It looks like she's okay, but her hands were stinging for a while. Naturally, having your child crying isn't a happy thing. I picked her up, put her on my shoulders and rushed her home so we could wash her hands and check for anything serious. Poor Bubbles got left a little behind. Spawn is fine, of course. Thank goodness.
Her Kindergarten completion ceremony was yesterday, and it was nice to see her confident and advancing. She's a 1st Grader now!
We went for a walk this morning and Spawn and I were doing a bit of running and fast walking. Unfortunately she hit some uneven pavement and fell pretty hard. It looks like she's okay, but her hands were stinging for a while. Naturally, having your child crying isn't a happy thing. I picked her up, put her on my shoulders and rushed her home so we could wash her hands and check for anything serious. Poor Bubbles got left a little behind. Spawn is fine, of course. Thank goodness.
Her Kindergarten completion ceremony was yesterday, and it was nice to see her confident and advancing. She's a 1st Grader now!
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