Day 287 Fridays Letters

I've been reading Fridays Letters for quite a while now. It's one of my favorite blogs to read. So I'm taking the plunge and writing my first Fridays Letters post.

Dear Husband:  Thank you for calling me daily even if its just to say I love you. You are so far away and hearing your voice makes my day.

Dear OB/GYN:  Thank you for agreeing that surgery was the best option for removing my cysts. Even though you found endometriosis, you were able to save my right ovary and have been so encouraging in my future ability to have babies of my own.

Dear Nieces & Nephew:  Thank you for your infectious laughter, bright smiles and unconditional love. Watching you all grow up and being able be like a 2nd mommy means the whole world to me.

Dear McDonalds:  Thank you for having the BEST sweet tea in Southern California. I'm enjoying my first sweet tea in 2 weeks as I write this post.

Dear Library: Thank you for making ordering books online so easy And with as quickly as I read a book, I am grateful that you always have current selections available and it doesnt cost me a dime.

Day 286 Confessional

I've read blogs for a couple of years and have always been a "lurker" but I've decided it's time to get out there and do a link up.

So I confess...

1. I'm 10 days post op and finally got to drive today... Wasn't even out of the house for more than an hour and almost got hit twice. Much prefer recouping in bed. #payattentionpeople

2. I'm seriously going through Starbucks withdrawals due to number one above. #ventiskinnymochaplease

3. I've been off work for two weeks and was just approved a third week off. I am secretly hoping I may be able leave the house and enjoy a Starbucks and get a pedicure. #prettytoesinmyfuture

4. Counting down the days until my husband is home in my arms. We have a tentative date but that could get completely changed because the navy likes to leave you living in limbo. #livinginlimbonotfunforthisplanner

5. Post operative nausea is really no fun and I about died when I picked up a prescription that cost me $40 with my insurance. But I'm thankful I have that insurance. #thankful

6. I'm counting down the days until I walk out of my job for the very last time. Because I'm really going to enjoy moving to washington and not working for a long while :-) After working non stop for 22 years I think I deserve a break. #umploymentinmyfuture

7. And to conclude... I confess that being diagnosed with Endometriosis has rocked my world! I've been reading blogs for a couple of years now, including infertility & adoption blogs. Now I know God had me reading those to prepare my heart for my diagnosis. I truly know I'm not alone and for that I am grateful! #endosucks #gratefulforblogs

Day 280 A Very Long Week

April 16 began with myself going in for what was supposed to be a minor surgical procedure. It was supposed to be an hour. When I woke up in recovery three hours later and five incisions I knew things did not go as planned. Removing a cyst became more than I expected. The removal of my left ovary was (I will admit) expected due to the pain I had been in for weeks leading up to surgery; however part of me did have some hope the doctor could save it. That was not meant to be. Not only did I lose the ovary.... I lost the Fallopian tube and received a diagnosis that will now forever change our plans for having children. Endometriosis! What the what?! Oh... And all of this happens with my husband in Afghanistan. My husband who thinks I will be in recovery when he calls at 2:30 in the morning (his time) and I'm still in the operating room.

I have been in all sorts of pain that had me quickly returning to the emergency room the very next day. Setting my alarm all night to keep myself medicated as to not have a relapse of pain. Pain so bad that I was shaking and could not catch my breath.

It is four days later and I am still medicated and just beginning to allow more time between each dose.

I was supposed to be off work one week that has now turned into two weeks. Not that I mind being off work but it's not like I'm on vacation. I'm in bed the entire time. Minus my post op appointment that entailed having 15 staples removed from my stomach!

It's been nothing short of a nightmare that I am just now beginning to wake up from.

So I am thankful this deployment is almost over because we now no longer have the luxury of taking our time to have children. It must begin immediately upon his return. Which was the plan all along. The plan just didn't involve a doctor telling me that if I'm not pregnant within two months of trying that we will need to go immediately to a fertility specialist.

I've been researching doctors, our insurance, specialists, thermometers and it's not the future I had planned. But it is what it is and I'm lucky I have this short period of time to do my research.

My head is still trying to process all the words I heard yesterday... Endometriosis, Lupron, IUDs, Reproductive Endocrinologists, and a future Hysterectomy. Wow!

I can't wait for my husband to come home so we can do this together. I have to say I am very very lucky that my husband has called twice a day or FaceTime with me. He is my rock! I need him here .... It's getting closer and I'm so grateful this happened at the end and not the beginning of this journey!

Day 270 - Aloha

We are still waiting to find out when the hubby gets to come home, but he has decided to take 30 days off before going back to work. And that means we get to take a Vacation... to Hawaii!!! I have never been and am so so excited! Officially he has 70 days left and I just can't believe that sometime in the next 2-3 months I will be heading to Washington. It's really bittersweet... I am so excited to move and begin my life with my husband, but so sad to leave behind family and friends. But I will be visiting San Diego often and moving back as soon as we possibly can. I still have so much to do before I move... appointments, setting up insurance for the cars, filing for unemployment (so lucky to have found out that I am eligible), getting the U-Haul set up for the big move at the end of June/July. But right now I am just so excited that this deployment will be over and I will get to be with my husband every day. No more spending holidays apart. No more long distance. And Hawaii!! The sun, the sand, the beach, the ocean, Pearl Harbor, and days spent with my handsome hubby!! I can't wait!