Waiting

So tomorrow is the big day. I am just waiting now (at 4 pm) to hear when I go in. They will call between now and 9 pm. I hope I get to go in earlier than later. It will be nice to have this fucking nightmare over with.

Will post later with time if I remember.

Hooray, I got the call. I go in at 11:15. I am SO happy I don't have to fast all day!

Beach and Pre Op

Mike and I took a walk on the Boardwalk the other night and sat for a while looking at the Sound. It was so pleasant and a nice diversion.

Today I went for pre op testing. It was pretty easy--just blood, pee and an x-ray. Plus I had to answer a million questions. Everyone was really nice. Still doesn't mean I'm happy about all this.

Surgery consult today

I spoke with Dr. Pryor today and she said my tests show I can do the 'easier' version of the surgery. NIot that it's easy, but my esophagus seems fine so that's good. Surgery will be about 3 hours long. I wish I didn't have to do this.

I also volunteered for a procedure that's still in the testing stage, although she's been working on it for four years now. It might mean not having this happen again. I'm told it can reoccur in five years or so. Damn. Well, I am NOT going to project that far into the future for something that may never happen.

After surgery, I will be in recovery until they are sure I can keep liquids down. I'll be on liquids, then very soft food. Won't be eating anything like meat for at least a month after. Not that it matters--I hardly eat meat now!

The good thing is that I've lost about 25 pounds. I will grab my silver linings where I find them.

On a happier note, I had Penny out in the yard today:

Penny enjoyed eating greenery, but Julie went nuts

Mother's Day 2017

I woke up to find a beautiful planter, a pizza peel and a card:

Mike gave me a card and a gift card to Michael's. I already bought a new scrapbook and some yarn with it! We hit Michael's and Target after visiting the cemetery to pay respect to Mike's mom. I put a little handmade crocheted flower on her tomb:

I spoke to my own Mom and am so grateful I have had her another Mother's Day. She sounded great and was out for a drive with my bil, Neal. I hope to visit her later in June. God willing.

Katherine is going to bring me a lobster (Jamie is cooking it) and a cheesecake. I will probably eat just the tail and save the rest for a lobster salad tomorrow.

My plants are planted

Got the last of my plants into my garden today, unless I get ambitious and put a few  more in where I have some room. Couldn't find snow peas this year so if I do, they'll go into the ground, too.

I have tomatoes, romaine lettuce, zucchini, cucumbers and peppers.  I hope I have more success this year than last year. At least I will be weeks beyond surgery by the time the vegetables are ready to harvest!

Something better

I told Katherine how much the test sucked and she surprised me with beautiful flowers to make me feel better:

Another Test Done

I had the manometry yesterday. It was AWFUL. Basically, they put this wiry thing in your nose and down into your stomach. The nurse was so  nice but she had trouble getting the damn thing in because it kept wanting to go into the hiatal hernia and not where it was supposed to go. Imagine wanting to gag and sneeze at the same time and not being able to do either. I hope to God I never have to do this again.

So I had to wear a monitor for 24 hours and press buttons when I ate, lied down, took my stomach meds and felt any chest pain. Having that thing in my throat (you could see it with a flashlight) made it hard to eat all day so I pretty much stuck to soft food.

It was taken out this morning, thank God. I hope I never have to do that again.

Update

I had the barium esophagram on Monday. It wasn't too bad at all. I just had to drink some stuff (which wasn't awful but not exactly a milkshake) while they took x-rays. It was fun seeing the liquid go down my throat in real time.

I also got to see the hiatal hernia and they weren't kidding when I was told it was large. I'd say about 2/3 of it is sticking up through my diaphragm.

So next week I have the next test. I am scheduled for surgery June 1st. I wish I didn't have to do this, but at least having a date makes it easier. The waiting is the worst part.

On a happier note, I made this year's batch of strawberry jam. One of the bigger stove burners is not working so I had to do this on a small burner while the big one boiled water. Stirring seems to take forever when you have a bad back.

I made about 8 jars. This should last us a while, even if I give some to the kids.

Also happy, a cute squirrel: