Am I Still a Mummy?

Thought you might enjoy seeing what I looked like when I came out from surgery. It was very cold here on Monday, the day of my surgery, and I was having surgery at a beautiful brand new Women's Surgical Center. The only problem was that they did not have the heat regulated in the building yet, and so it was freezing in there. All of the staff were great, but when I came out of surgery, they had me wrapped up like a mummy, and had plastic inside the blankets hooked up to a heater with heat flowing into it to keep me warm. I was nice and toasty, and didn't know the difference, but we all thought I looked pretty funny, so Dave took some pictures. I'll try to post the rest of the pictures on here in the photo section for you to see as well.

I have been making good progress each day, and feeling a little better. I tire easily, which I know is normal. My biggest challenge will be to stay resting during my 6 week recovery time, as I am not one who enjoys laying around. But I promise, I will behave, and have all of you to help keep me accountable! I have had such great helpers as well, and am so thankful for my family's support. Dave has not left my side since I got home, until this morning, and I finally convinced him I would be okay long enough for him to go to the gym. Poor guy was so tired yesterday, that he had to take a 2 hour nap. He is truly my best friend, and has been the reason I am recuperating quickly. We have had some great snuggle times together, just listening to tapes and talking.

Landon sat up all night with me at the hosptial, to give his dad a break, even though he still had to work all day the next day. I know he was exhausted, but took great care of me. I love you son, and couldn't be more proud of you!

And my precious daughter, Amber, has kept the humor in it all as she decorated my room with all kinds of interesting things to let me know that I would never again have to suffer through another period. She called it "well padded" and indeed we did all laugh. She also has been bringing me popsicles and we plan to have some good time together watching girlie movies this weekend. Thanks Am, for being the light of my life!

Well that's all the energy I have for this post today. Thanks again for all of your prayers, and continue to pray for my recovery. Talk to you again soon.

There's No Place Like Home

I got home around 3:30 pm yesterday. It is so true that there's no place like home. I could not sleep at all in the hospital which they said was typical and probably because of all of the medications. So when I got home, I literally crashed, and slept a solid 12 hours last night and have slept most of the day today too. I am pretty weak, and in some pain, but glad to be home.

The Lord has truly answered all of our prayers, and all of the staff at the hospital were wonderful. was told that because of the growth I had, my uterus was the size of someone 3-4 months pregnant, and of course it has been sent in for a biopsy to make sure all is okay.

It is good to be home, and Dave has been pampering me and waiting on me hand and foot, so I am in very good hands. I know many of you have called to see how I am doing, and I appreciate it. Several families have brought by meals as well, which has been very helpful for my hungry guys! You all are such a blessing, and know that you are in my thoughts as well. I just don't have much energy right now to talk on the phone, etc., but I always appreciate hearing from you, and Dave is relaying all the messages to me. It means a lot.

I started trying to post this early this morning, and just didn't have the energy to finish it, but am feeling a bit better tonight, so wanted to give you a quick update. My plan is to rest and get well. I got some pretty funny pictures from the hospital as well, and will try to post them tomorrow if I feel up to it. Love You!

The day after...

Janna didn't sleep much last night so she's feeling a bit worse at the moment.  Still all looks good and we expect to be heading home sometime soon.  (You never know what timeline. The hospital operates in their own time zone.)

The doctor is pleased with her progress, as am I.  Thanks for your continued prayers.  

God is good.

Dave

Update On Janna's Surgery

Hi Everyone!
This is Dave, Janna's husband.  I know that many of you are wondering how she's doing, since we went in for surgery this morning.  She was in surgery for about an hour-and-a-half.  The doctor said that everything went as planned.  She was able to do the surgery vaginally, so we're grateful for that as the recovery time shouldn't be as long.  Everything went well and Janna is feeling good, given the circumstances.  Her uterus was indeed larger than it should be, so the doctor is having it tested and we should know the results no later than the end of the week.  As of right now, Janna is sleeping restfully.  We hope to be able to take her home tomorrow (although this hospital room is so nice that she may want to stay on an extra day or two!).

Thank you all for your prayers.  Our God who is glorious in might and splendor has shows his character once more in the care he takes of his children.  We were also blessed in that Janna's nurse is a pastor's wife with the heart of a pastor's wife.  She took very good care of Janna.  Now it's my turn.

I appreciate you all and am sure that Janna will write you a note in the next day or two herself.  God is good.

Blessings,

Dave

A Long Week!

Well I'll have to say this has seemed like the longest week of my life! Originally we thought surgery was going to be last Monday, January 19th, but because of other surgeries at the hospital, mine was bumped to this Monday, January 26th, and is now scheduled for 8:00 am MST. I have been trying to keep myself occupied and wrap up things business-wise, as well as make sure everything is in order here at the house...as I guess I won't be cleaning and vacuuming for quite some time! (rats!) =)

On a humorous note, someone pointed out to me some insightful tips which I'll have to say were very timely for me, so I thought I'd share them with you.

Things You Don't Want to Hear While In the Operating Room

• Better save that. We'll need it for the autopsy.
• Someone call the janitor - we're going to need a mop
• Wait a minute, if this is his spleen, then what's that?
• Hand me that...uh...that uh.....thingie
• Oh no! I just lost my Rolex.
• Oops! Hey, has anyone ever survived 500ml of this stuff before?
• Rats, there go the lights again...
• Ya know, there's big money in kidneys. This gal's got two of 'em.
• Could you stop that thing from beating; it's throwing my concentration off
• That's cool! Now can you make his leg twitch?!
• I wish I hadn't forgotten my glasses.
• Well folks, this will be an experiment for all of us.
• Sterile, schmerile. The floor's clean, right?
• Anyone see where I left that scalpel?
• This patient has already had some kids, am I correct?
• Nurse, did this patient sign the organ donation card?
• Don't worry. I think it is sharp enough.
• FIRE! FIRE! Everyone get out!
• Rats! Page 47 of the manual is missing!

Thanks to all of you who have been so encouraging and have been lifting me up in your prayers. Dave will keep you updated here and let you know how things go until I am feeling up to it. We are believing the best, and expecting a quick recovery!

Why Am I Having Surgery?

Thanks to all of my wonderful friends who have been supporting me and asking me
"Why Are You Having Surgery?"

So let me fill you in.....

I have been having some female issues for quite some time now, and just kept thinking I was going through early menopause. So after many months of very painful periods and very heavy bleeding which seemed to increase more with each period, and would have me in bed for 4-5 days at a time, and sometimes in so much pain I was throwing up. I went to my family doctor who didn't even examine me, but told me that yes, this indeed was normal for menopause.

Thank God I didn't believe her, and felt that I should go back to my gynecologist for a second opinion. My gynecologist couldn't believe that my family doctor hadn't even examined me, and the first examination she did, she could feel something that should not be there in my uterus. From there, she immediately scheduled me for an ultrasound, which showed something growing into my uterine wall. She still wanted more tests so next I was scheduled for an MRI, which she hoped would give her a clearer picture.

At today's pre-op appointment my doctor is still is not exactly sure what it is...she thinks it could possibly be adenomyosis or a fibroid, but whatever it is in her words "looks strange" so once the hysterectomy is done, a biopsy will be taken to make sure that nothing is cancerous.

Through it all I have had a real peace about the whole situation, and I know it was the Lord prompting me to get a second opinion. I had already sensed weeks ago that I may be having surgery even before I saw my gynecologist, just because of the way I had been feeling.

My only option at this point is a total hysterectomy, and thanks to all my lady friends who have already been through this for putting my mind at ease and telling me how much better you have felt since you had this same surgery! It has been very encouraging to me, and I know I will need your continued support in the weeks ahead!

My surgery is scheduled for this Monday, January 26th, and as I can, I will keep you updated on how the surgery goes, as well as my recovery on this blog, so please feel free to become a follower and check in often for updates.
Thanks so much for your prayers & support!

Janna

Don't Quit

Don't Quit

When things go wrong, as they sometimes will,
When the road you're trudging seems all uphill,
When the funds are low, and the debts is high,
And you want to smile, but have to sigh,
When care is pressing you down a bit,
Rest if you must, but don't quit.

Life is queer with its twists and turns,
As everyone of us sometimes learns,
And many a failure turns about,
When he might have won had he stuck it out;
Don't give up though the pace seems slow,
You may succeed with another blow.

Success is failure turned inside out,
The silver tint of the clouds of doubt,
And you never can tell how close you are,
It may be near when it seems so far,
So stick to the fight when you're hardest hit.
It's when things seem worse, that you must not quit.

What to Do ~ When You Don't Know What to do!

Many times in life we face life changing decisions that don't necessarily have a pat answer. I am facing one of those decisions in my life right now. Everywhere I turn, someone seems to have a different answer.

It seems that life doesn't always go as planned. Things take place that are out of our control, and so what do we do when that happens? I have learned to pray, and seek God for those decisions. He is the only constant in my life, and is the same yesterday, today, and forever! He gives me peace, when all around, there is no peace. It's amazing how much more we grow in the adversities of our life, than when all is calm and pleasant. (If you're like me, you prefer the calm and pleasant the best!)

If you are facing difficult choices today, seek God first, and His righteousness, and all other things will be added unto you! Matthew 6:33 Only He truly knows what's best for you, and He will guide you in whatever decision you need to make. Be still today and know that HE is God!

Life Giver

Dear Lord,

I am a Life Giver, so they say,
But what kind of life did I give today?
Did I take time out for a kind word,
Or listen to someone's pain unheard?

Did I make my home a place of rest,
Giving my family the very best?
Did I call a neighbor in for tea,
Or spend some time on bended knee?

Did I wash the dishes with a heart of joy,
Remembering starving girls and boys?
Did I treat my husband with respect,
And brag upon his intellect?

Did I get on the floor with my son to play,
And let him know he's valued today?
Or brush a tear from my daughter's face,
Telling her of a beauty found only by grace?

Did I call a friend who's hurting so,
And share your love to help her grow?
Or visit a lonely shut in nearby,
Bringing joy to her heart, and tears to her eyes?

There's so much to giving life you see,
For you have instilled it inside of me.
Oh yes, it's a joy to give physical birth
To realize the pain, and then the worth...

But the giving of life doesn't start or stop there,
It goes on forever, if I will but care,
And give of myself to to others in need
Take time to listen, or just plant a seed.

For everywhere I go each day
I have a choice to give life away,
By something I say or willingly do
To bring joy to others, to point them to you.

So help me always remember, dear Lord,
To be faithful in giving all I can afford
For if I just did one of these deeds today,
I've accomplished the task, I GAVE LIFE AWAY!

written by Janna Arnold 1/01/95