No Place Like Home
Caring Bridge update from today: Dec 7, 2019 ... reposting here for those who aren't on Caring Bridge.
I'm feeling pretty beat up. I don't think it's from the procedure itself. Sure, they glued shut some vessels in my chest. That's got to have some side-effects. But I think my aches are from laying on a metal table for 8 hours without moving. Who knew laying around could hurt so bad?My feet were numb when I woke up from the procedure. And I have to say, that. is. scary. Feeling has almost completely returned so I'm breathing a sigh of relief. Both arms ache and I have noticeably lost strength in my right arm. The docs think that is a direct effect of the procedure because the vessels they glued shut partially feed my right arm. But they think the strength will come back. My right leg sort of drags behind a little. This has happened every time I've had an IR procedure, which means it's less scary than the other side effects. I'm wobbly but the strength will come back. It's all just a matter of time.This morning, Hope snuggled on the couch with me and brought a book she found at school. It's called "Man-Made Wonders of the World." "Ok, let's read about statues," she said. And then she read to me about the Motherland Statue in Russia. And about the Sphinx in Egypt. Then she turned the page and read to me about the pyramids. Completely content. It didn't matter to her that I am permanently fixed on the couch. She just wanted access. A snuggle. A smile. Some interaction. And off she skipped to school.She's my role model. Living life in the moment. That's how we are going to have to live from here on. It makes Chris cry. And Josh a little angry. I feel... neutral about it. Like God has prepared me for this news.I took a part-time job this fall. Crazy new adventure but I love it. Every day I'm there, I feel like I'm stewarding the job. Filling the seat and making the processes better. For the next person. I have never felt the job was mine. Only that I'm supposed to have it for a season.See, God has been preparing me.Back to home. Things have to change at home. I will need more procedures. And clearly, they knock me around a bit. So, I'll need help. In the short term, we need immediate help during the after-school hours next week. That's 4:00pm-7:00pm M, T, W, Th and 1:00-6:00pm Friday. Next week. NEXT WEEK! If you can help, please let us know.Secondly, we will be looking to hire a person to be home with me when the kids are home. So the same time slots I listed above. I don't like this. Not one bit. But it's a security measure. A safety net. Out Littles are not old enough to handle an emergency. And I'm a walking emergency about to happen. So, we need someone here to just, be here. Someone who can handle an emergency. Someone who can handle a few little jobs so I can focus on the kids. That is my number one priority. Number ONE. If you know of a person who would be interested, please let us know.Until something new happens medically, I will still be blogging at nicoleomeara.blog. And I recently joined Instagram which is much easier for posting little updates. But you can be sure that we will keep this Caring Bridge journal updated with medical news.Thank you for praying for me. For us. Please don't stop.
PS. We added a little video clip at the bottom for you. Chris and I had a good laugh about it. It's eerily similar to how I felt when I woke up from the procedure. "Please, just stop pestering me with questions. I've had a hard day." :)