Where to begin?

Well hello again! There has been so much happening that I don't know where to begin! The great news was that since the anointing of the oils, I quit having bleeds!

As you know, we recently acquired our baby Brussels Griffon Bella, now 5 months old and weighing in @ 10.2 lbs., almost as much as her 2 year old brother Hanz @ 12.8 lbs! While we make our Colorado trips, we normally leave our Hanz with Marks brother Jim and his wife Shelley out in Rockport, since they live out in the country and have plenty of dogs to keep Hanz company! Unfortunately, we had not had time to introduce our Bella to their female dogs, Emme - a Boston Terrier and aslo Ripley (an Italian greyhound mix?). We weren't sure how they would take to Bella, so I was remembering how one of my childhood girlfriends had said any time I needed anyone to take care of our dogs......? Much as I hated to impose on anyone, I called her up and she said no problem!

I've known Sylvia since we met in Kingsville, TX while we both attended middle school @ the age of 13 and 14 respectively! Sylvia and always kept in touch through the years, and actually, Sylvia lived in Aurora, CO for a few years and we always kept in touch! Right before my procedures started, she married and moved back to Corpus Christi, TX! Sylvia suggested we do a "trial run" introduction with our pets, since she owns a 15 year old Bischon named O'Bear and 2 cats! Sylvia invited us over Friday evening after work so our kids could meet! Couldn't have gone better - everyone seemed to get along! I, like my mother am such a "worrier" that this is the only thing I can think of that may have caused my breakout of hives all over my body the next morning! Like this is the last thing I need before heading out to have a procedure in CO the next day! I was scratching and scratching and asking Mark if we had any Benadryl. He headed out to get get what I needed, I took some about 8:30 a.m., and passed out until 4pm that day! Had to force myself to get out of bed and start preparing all the things our kiddos would need while staying @ Syvia and her husband Randy Wilsons house! Hanz, I knew would not be a happy camper being left behind, but I knew @ least he and Bella would have each other! Sylvia kindly sent us text messages and included photos of the kids every day to keep us updated! Course Hanz was looking all depressed ..., but being such a good Mommy to her own little ball of fur, Sylvia had some tricks up her sleeve - and offered Hanz a little taste of some sausage while she cooked breakfast the next day! Talk about, "you are my new best friend"! Hoping to pop in some photos a little later in this area - don't know how to get them from my phone on to the blog, but maybe Sylvia will!

So, we take off for CO Sunday morning, and since I didn't have any doctor appt. until having to be @ Swedish @ 9:30a.m. Monday morning for my embolization .... we took our time making any decisions on what our next move would be.

Hadn't been to Build a Bear in a while, so checked that out. Nothing I had to have .... went to Wal-mart and got a few things that would make us more comfortable in the hotel and then headed over there to check in! As you know, I sleep with a humidifier mist cup over my trache and I do not travel with the humidifier with me - so I didn't get a good nights sleep feeling anxious about not breathing as well as possible! I could not wait until morning to get to the hospital, so I could get hooked up to a respiratory humidifier to moisten my trache! While I was waiting to get hooked up to my trache tubes and all - my fav. nurse, Rick walked by and did a double take! He says, "Finally, you made it in on a Monday"! I like to fly in to CO on a Wed. morning, see my ENT up there, then check in to Swedish Hospital the next morning and fly home the next. Apparently Rick doesn't work the latter part of the week when I usually arrive! I know he was surprised too, since I had just been there about 4 weeks prior! Well, unfortuntately I told Rick we were there on an emergency basis, since my next routine embolization wasn't due until mid-March!

I get all hooked up to IV's Respiratory mists - and the resp. tech was able to give us some collars and a few other supplies we needed! Everyone @ Swedish is so nice and caring! Dr. Yakes and his two P.A.'s are fabulous, the nurses, even though they don't always get that IV on the first try - OUCH!

It is finally time to be taken into surgery after the Anesthesiologist, Dr. Quinn stops by to see if I have any concerns. Got wheeled over to OR, and got transported from the bed in I was laying on to the one all ready for me in the OR nurse says, "would you like to talk to Dr. Yakes before your surgery"? I'm used to Dr. Yakes pretty much being right there in the next room, so being put on the operating bed and then after a question or two, I am being knocked out! Of course my over-active mind is taking over and I want to ask the anesthesiologist, Dr. Quinn - to please make sure and deflate the little balloon thing hanging @ the end of my trache, otherwise I won't be able to talk after surgery! Talked to Dr. Yakes for a minute and then was given the gas to put me out! In my mind I'm just thinking, "put me under already"!, because I am starting to feel anxious! Everyone is super nice in the OR room, and next thing you know, I'm awake! To be continued, as my meds are kicking in! Nap time! Please stay tuned!

Cyndi

P.S. Almost forgot to tell you about those last two photos! Mark took a picture of me trying to relax and just read my Nook! The other is me with Dr. Yakes two physicians assistants! Dr. Yakes used to have Kelly and Eric as his P.A.'s. Eric left and in comes Mandi (blue blouse)! Then Kelly goes on Maternity Leave and in steps Amanda - not to be confused w/Mandi, and you know how easily confused I get! I'll write back soon!

Cyndi