Meanwhile, in Hansenville ....

This week was actually quite different from other weeks - the kids were on Spring Break and I (finally!) gathered up the courage to have my foot surgery!

On February 14th I made the long overdue commitment to have my bunion removal surgery on my left foot (they both need it!) ... and made the appointment for Monday March 12th.  I spent quite a bit of time fretting over the details, the finances, the "what if" scenarios for so many years that I just had to take my own advise: "Make a decision and go with it."  I wasn't able to take any medication for three days prior to the surgery (i.e. no aspirin or ibuprofen), nothing to eat or drink after midnight Sunday.  I am sure it was the stress of the anticipation, but on Sunday night I got the *worst* headache I have ever, ever, ever had in my whole life.  I thought for sure I was slowly dying from a slow leak brain aneurysm!  And not being able to take anything for it was pure torture!  I barely slept Sunday night and Monday morning couldn't come quick enough so I could just get this over with!  

Graden and I went to the ambulatory center (this was an out patient surgery) about 11am since my surgery was scheduled for 12:30.  They moved us back to the pre-op station about 11:30 where we waited and waited, until about 1:00 when they wheeled me off. Thankfully, when I told them that I had a horrible headache, they were able to hook me up with some goooooood stuff (thank you IV pain meds!) so I had one less thing to focus on!  When the anesthesiologist came around to explain the options - partial sedation or full sedation - I quickly clarified there was only one I was interested in: FULL sedation.  Like, three-deep-breaths-from-death-full-sedation.  I told him if I heard a bone saw or one conversation discussing what they were doing with my feet, there would be a problem.  He indicated he understood, and with that .... I signed away my commitment to FULL sedation!

I remember being wheeled into the OR, moving from my gurney to the surgery table, the nurse telling me I did a good job (to which I replied, "Thanks, I had been practicing all week."  I get quippy when I am nervous).  Then, the next thing I remember was waking up and seeing my foot wrapped in blue gauze stuff.  Then, I thought: "Whew! I survived!"

Graden came back and sat with me for about 45 minutes to make sure I could keep crackers and water down and I felt fine.  ... and why those crackers tasted soooo delicious is still a mystery to me.  But, I proudly ate three packages.  I guess I was show-boating that I could keep THREE packs of crackers down.  (thinking to self: ha! take that all you other pukers who can't handle a little anesthesia!).

We got home a little after 3:00, after Graden stopped at Hy-Vee to get lunch/dinner (Chinese) and my meds.  That Hy-Vee Chinese food followed by a nap was so glorious ...

All in all, the experience wasn't bad.  My foot is "achy", but nothing intolerable.  I tend to take my pain meds only when it starts to flare up and I start to get scared that it may hurt.  As Graden says, "there is a fine line between tough and stupid."  No reason to be stupid and have pain when God invented Vicodin, right? 

I had prepared a few meals so dinners were pretty easy and "real" (read: we didn't have Ramen noodles or cereal each night!).

I go for my check up on Wednesday.  I am excited for the Big Reveal to see what my foot will look like "normal" ... not all jacked up.  See the picture on the left ... it shows my right foot (which was a wee bit less offensive than my left foot, but you can get the gist of how awkward they are).  Instead of my big toe bones flowing straight with my other toes, there is about a 17 degree angle.  This makes for achy joints and ill fitting shoes.  And as I get older it just gets worse.

Let's see .... what else happened this week .... 

Zoe and Dayne at Boss Oysters, en route to Dog Island

Ah, yes .... Thursday Graden and I took Dayne to Joplin.  She is joining the Ruestman's on their annual trip to Dog Island for Spring Break.  They left early Friday morning and will be back next Saturday.  Donna also happens to be in Joplin, taking care of her sister and some health issues she is facing, so we were able to meet up with her and eat dinner at Outback Steak House.  We got home Thursday night about 11:15 .... kind of a long day!  I got a text message from Dayne at 5:15 Saturday afternoon that they were at the island!  It's quite a journey to make it there!  18 hours driving, then loading everything you need to survive for a week (there are no stores on the island -- you bring everything you need with you!) onto the ferry.  Then unloading everything and getting settled in to enjoy the peace and quiet of Dog Island!  It really is *heavenly!*


Hunter is headed to Lake of the Ozarks for a school event - part of one of the school programs associated with his Marketing class.  This is the 2nd year he has gotten to go to the State Competition!  He leaves on Sunday morning and will be home Tuesday.  At that point we will know if they make it to the next round, which is in Salt Lake City, Utah in April (same weekend as Prom -- a point of contention/concern since he has a girlyfriend with high hopes of going to Prom!).

Going back to work on Monday after a week off will be a bummer in some ways since I didn't get to do anything "fun" on my week off ... but, being out and about and looking at something besides the four walls of my living room will be a welcome sight! 

Here's to a great week!