The Surgery, Part One.

Here's my plan. Looking at a computer screen for an extended period of time increases the amount of vertigo I experience (which is to be expected), so I'm going to break up blog posts about the surgery into shorter stories.

The Surgery, Part 1 - The Before and the During.

Wednesday night, my mom came up. We spent some time with Daniel, watching TV and eating Subway for my last meal before surgery. I made sure everything was packed and went to bed early. I struggled to fall asleep, even with a sleep aid on board, but eventually drifted off. 

Thursday morning, I woke up without issue and much earlier than I anticipated. But it allowed me the time to make sure all that I wanted at the hospital was ready to go. I wandered around the house aimlessly, claiming that I was working on something so that I didn't look too much like a crazy person. A little before 5:00, Daniel came over. We got everything ready and then I was covered in prayer by mom and Daniel. Mom and I shared some tears but then it was time to go.

On the way to the hospital, my mom and I talked a little bit about things that made us laugh and we listened to "Jesus is a Friend of Mine" (Seriously...if you haven't see it, please watch the video here). We checked in and then it was time for me to head back to the surgery prep area. Mom and Daniel couldn't come back with me right away, so I spent the first 45 minutes anxious and alone getting stuck with needles, being visited by different medical people, and silently crying out to my Heavenly Father. 

Daniel and my mom came back to visit, allowed me to cry, but gently reminded me of all the good that was about to come. They had someone from pastoral services come visit. She reminded me that it was okay to cry and covered me in prayer before I was wheeled back to the OR.

On my way back, I cried more. The neurosurgeon was so comforting through the process. The OR nurse played with my hair and tried to make me laugh. The anesthesiologist comforted me and tried to make me smile. I asked if it was normal to feel like I wanted to get up and walk out of the OR. The nurse said yes, but suggested against it. I eventually drifted off to sleep.

More to come in the next blog post (this one took forever...I needed to walk away a couple times to stop spinning). 

In my time in the Word before we left for the hospital, I asked for a verse for peace. I was directed to Philippians 4:6. It was a winner.

Mom shared this with me the morning of. It was a lifesaver as I recovered and would get frustrated.