Yipes!

I have realized just how long it was since I last posted. I need to be better at that. My surgery has been months away and I am in the throws of a school year that is all to quickly fleeting.

As for the healing post surgery, I am doing pretty well. I refuse to see my scar as a "blemish" or something that needs to be hidden by a turtleneck (granted turtlenecks are of the devil, but thats another topic). I am seeing my scar as God's faithfulness to me, His omnipotent timing, and a promise that my job on earth is not finished. Remembering that makes all the stares okay.

My surgery has also taught me that I tend to rely on myself a lot more then I should. It is ever humbling to need help buttoning pants, or calling to my dad when I had turned myself into an awkward position and could not move out of it. (thanks dad!) I am glad that those days of physically needing someone to do little tasks are over, but am trying to keep close in mind the lessons of that "storm."

The Two Week Mark

Today I am a day over two weeks of surgery. It has been amazing to see how much each day makes a difference in recovery. I am feeling more antsy and want to go out of the house to experience life. Sitting here reading and watching about life is reaching its limits. But, I think that my "go go" lifestyle needs this little break and I am trying to enjoy it to the fullest. I am reminded of Paul when he said "I have learned the secret of being content in every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength". (Philippians 4:12-13) I am trying to apply this verse to my season of rest.

So, small gains in the recovery department:

1. I can now make small sneezes. On Monday all I could do was make a terrible moaning sound whenever I tried to sneeze.

2. I can cough. My lung capacity has risen over the past few days and I can now breathe a deep breath and bring up any junk that shouldn't be there.

3. I can sleep sitting on my bed. On Monday I could not, and was sleeping on the couch sitting up.

4. My bump is slowly going down. YES!

5. I can get out of bed

6. I can button my own pants. - gotta love the little stuff!

My dad has been great this week. With my mom gone on vacation, he has taken my undies off the laundry line (a true labor of love), buttoned my pants (after making sure nothing was "showing"), and has been there to turn me over in bed when I could not move after having turned myself into a weird position. We will see where the next week lies.

I'm Home

After 5 days of chilling in the hospital, I am back. I was very blessed with visitors and laughter and which made it a better experience. They changed the surgery. They replaced a heart valve and also "un-roofed" my pulmonary valve by trimming a part of a flap of my heart to allow better blood to flow. I am feeling decent and waiting around for my sternum to heal. :) Some pictures:

Getting ready for surgery. Steve and Jami Newton were there to support my mom and me. Others showed up in prayers and calls.
My mother took this right after surgery was over. Thanks mom.

This outline made by blue marker was made when a HUGE shot in my neck was being pulled out and nicked something...and freaked out the nurse. She drew a outline of how huge the hematoma(blood spreading under the skin) was so they could check to see if it grew any larger. It didn't.
With some of the visitors who came to see me. Yay for Springport schools support!
With my mom 3 days after surgery. She took great care of me.
My sis and Anne came to visit and brought me some laughter and pony tails
The only way my arm will ever look like a drug user.
At home and relaxing. Annnnd maybe still on drugs because I am finding EVERYTHING hilarious...but I have to make it small laughs for now because of the sternum pain makes me sound like Marge Simpson laughing. ha ha

One another shorter rant...does anyone think it is tad sad that they feel the need to make a bachelor/bachelorette for heavier people called "More to Love"? What happened to good people meeting other good people regardless of their size?

Hospital Stuff

So, here is some info from my pre-op. For all of Friday I will be on a breathing tube and unable to talk to anyone. However, they expect me to be awake and aware by Saturday morning. Once I am gone from the breathing machine, I will be moved from ICU and sent to the floor. There I can have visitors at anytime. :) Don't be freaked out if I look weird. I will be having wires and tubes coming out of me (if I can't watch Transformers, I can at least look like one ;) ) and look a bit puffy.

Good news, my surgeon is world renown. :) What a blessing that I live 45 minutes away from there.

I am in the Mott's Children Hospital, pediatric cardiology.

I will post more when I get a chance. See you on the other side of surgery.

So, last week I went on a missions trip to Jackson, Kentucky. It was amazing! We painted rooms and a building for a Christian academy which is a year round boarding school for kids who need to get away from their home environments. I could type all of it out..but it is much better with pictures.

In case you have not been there...Kentucky has some of the most breathtaking scenery I have ever laid eyes on.
I made it! It was a lot of climbing to the natural bridge, but worth every bead of sweat created...and there were a lot.

I am enjoying the fan, and getting those hard to reach places all at once. It was wonderful considering the weather was sticky and hot.

The students have a game night, and we got to hang out with them.

Sometimes it takes some ingenuity to get those hard to reach areas.

Growing

My heart surgery is in fourteen days. But, growth with my relationship with God is happening in large strides. I honestly do not know how people survive without it. Open heart surgery is terrifying.

But I am comforted.

I am at Peace.

I know that God is in control, has perfect timing (I am a teacher and have the summer to recover - perfect!), and loves me more then anyone on this world.

I know that some people may think, "If He loves you so much, why do you even have this problem?" However, I would not trade this condition. I can emphasize with those who are hurting, I learn that I can't rely on myself, and God is showing up in mighty ways through it.