The Perils of Kathleen...

Oh so much excitement around here! After bragging about my excellent recuperation from the hysterectomy, I took a turn for the worse on Sunday. That night as I was getting ready for bed, I knew something was wrong, so I called Carey to help me get to bed. On the way, I collapsed onto the floor and stopped breathing. Carey was able to revive me (so glad he thinks I'm worth reviving!), and called 911. Response time is not that great when you live four miles north of nowhere.

So I had my second ambulance ride in less than 12 months. They took me to the nearest hospital (where I swore I would never be a patient), and there I stayed until last night, Friday. It seems I had a lung full of blood clots. The pulmonologist called my CT scan "scary."

My poor arms are bruised and punctured from knuckles to shoulders from the IVs and countless blood draws. My left forearm is swollen and painful from an infected IV site. I don't even want to think about the forthcoming bills. ugh And I haven't even gotten my staples out of the initial surgery incision yet.

But...

I had great doctors near and far (especially my gynecologist who did the initial surgery, who phoned me, prayed with me, and consulted with the local doctors). I had wonderful, fabulous, lovely nurses and aides who were incredibly overworked (not just because of me) during the time I was with them, but always remained cheerful, caring, and encouraging. While I dreaded all the needles that came my way, the ones who were holding the needles made it bearable. And did I mention the skilled (and cute) EMTs?

So just when I was saying how tired I was of doctor visits, I have a few more in my near future till we get some meds regulated. And you know what? I'll be happy doing it, because I'm still here and I am thankful!

I really wish I could figure out whatever it is God is trying to teach me. May I be open to His will.

One World~One Heart Giveaway

*******************edited to name winner********************

AND THE WINNER IS...Mindy, comment #31

as determined by using:
RANDOM.ORG
Random Integer Generator
Here are your random numbers:31
Timestamp: 2009-02-12 06:03:42 UTC
**************************************************

I hereby announce my participation in the third annual One World~One Heart Giveaway. This event enables bloggers the world over to get to know each other...AND there are PRIZES to win! To read about it, and see a list of links to participating blogs so you can begin entering the drawings, just click here. If you want, you can join in with a giveaway at your own blog too! But whether you want to give away or just enter to win, as you pop from blog to blog entering drawings you might come across some blog gems that you might never have happened across otherwise, and even make a few new friends.

Here is the fabulous prize that I will be sending to one lucky winner! It is a set of eight notecards with envelopes...two cards each of my four original photos below; blank inside.

To enter, please leave a comment at the end of this post. Make sure you include some kind of contact info, be it e-mail address or a way for me to link back to your blog if you have one (you do not need a blog to enter). Comments will close at midnight, February 12, 2009. Later that day, I will draw a winner using a random number generator, and I will contact the winner that same day, as well as announce the winner here on the blog. If I do not receive a response from the winner with a mailing address after a week, I will try to contact them again. If after another week I still do not receive a response, I will have to draw a new winner.

Ready...Set...GO!

Meanwhile...(I'm) back at the ranch...

I'm home and feeling pretty good...better than I thought I would actually. Haven’t needed pain meds. No hot flashes or sleeplessness…at least not yet…and since I was warned that it might be instantaneous, I’m feeling hopeful that it won’t be a problem for me. I’m walking a lot, and am able to get up and down on my own from recliner and bed. I am definitely following doctor’s orders though...walking a lot, not lifting anything heavier than my cell phone (she actually said that, LOL), walking a lot, reading and such, and walking a lot.

Way easier than last year's car-accident recuperation. :) I can do this.

Away for a few days...

In a few hours, we will be heading to the hospital where I will have a hysterectomy Friday morning. For the past week or so I've been cooking and freezing meals to make recuperation time a bit easier for my sweet caretaker husband. I have plans for the required down time. I have books to read, and puzzles to occupy me, and a small knitting project. I'm as ready as I can be...I guess...

So I'll be off the computer for awhile. But I have something fun to announce when I come back. So tune in again...same bat time...same bat channel.

And if you're inclined to say a prayer or two, they'd be much appreciated.

Genius!!!

Great minds think alike!

If you have a few minutes, and want to have fun getting Al to write neat stuff on his blackboard, go here...http://www.hetemeel.com/einsteinform.php

Today's creative effort...

While surfing today, I saw a tutorial here at Go Make Something using paint chips. The cards and bookmarks pictured above are ones I made following (somewhat) their instructions. It was super fun and easy to throw these together. I already have them in envelopes; addressed, stamped and ready to drop in the mail. I hope they bring a smile to the recipients. I didn't even bother trying to erase the color names...I thought it added quirkiness to the project.

My conscience requires that I make the following statement. Paint chips are free to take, but they're in stores to assist the consumer in selecting pleasing colors to paint their surroundings and to aid the vendor in selling its product...therefore, try not to empty out the display.

Just grousing...

I hate reconciling the check book/bank statement and paying bills. I put it off as long as possible. Like till eleven pm on the last possible day, when I'm supposed to be up early the next morning. Then I decided I really needed my sleep, so I put it off again, and went to bed. After sleeping for a couple of hours, I woke up and decided I'd get it over with...surely it wouldn't take too long, and I could go back to bed for a little while.

Well, every once in awhile, there is a bill month from hell, and this was one of mine. We have two electric meters, which means we get two bills. In the past they've seemed to want me to pay both bills with only one check. But last month they applied all of the check to one bill, overpaying and leaving a credit...and nothing to the other bill, which gave me a late fee and unpaid balance. grrrr

Lest you say that if I paid online, it would solve my problems...I did that with the phone company last month, and they debited my bank account twice, which I didn't find till I reconciled the bank statement just now.

There were several more irritations, and a couple moments of panic, but they're behind me now.

I'm done! But no more sleep for me. I'm just waiting for business hours so I can start making calls to straighten things out.

Oh, and don't suggest I let the mister do it. Tried that once. Had to fire him.

I have a fun outing planned for today, which I refuse to skip even if I'm sleepy. I may have to let the crazy cat lady drive, though.