Day 321 Memorial Day

My hubby is home safe and sound! We have been enjoying the last few days together. He arrived on Memorial Day. It was so amazing to see so many people at the airport that evening with signs and flags supporting our soldiers. I'm so lucky to have him home and now we can begin our life together.

Day 311 - Weekend Wrap Up

I have been thinking about celebrating my 40th birthday with my family @ Legoland for almost an entire year and Saturday was the day. I took advantage of the great ticket prices at the MWR on base. I'm still getting used to these perks of being a military wife. Back to Legoland... It was so very exciting and fun to see it through the eyes of the four year old seated next to me in the picture below.

 

He just recently in the last few months has become obsessed with Legos. My mom had saved all of my brothers Legos from childhood. So watching his kids play with them has been really neat. The last time we were at Legoland he was just a baby so this time was really exciting. My nephew had the best time and wanted to go on all the rides over and over. We had my dad with us who had a hip replacement about 12 years ago so a park employee suggested we take advantage of the handicap pass they offer (like Disneyland does). Fast pass track to all the rides... What a lifesaver! We walked on to every ride and it was wonderful.  Got to do almost everything in the park in the short eight hours that the park was open. It was the best way to celebrate 40!

My niece hadn't been to the park since she was four and had no memory of the park. She had a blast! She was a brave one and went on the rollercoasters. I screamed like a little girl and she thought it was hilarious. I am so lucky to have such a fun family. I am going to miss times like these when I move in a few short weeks. But I know that I will visit often and we will be moving back to San Diego asap!

It is my last week of work.... Thank the Lord!  Eight and 1/2 years there and I can't wait to be on a break from working.  I love what I do but the last nine months there have been really horrible and boring.  It's time for a much needed and deserved break. I am so so excited to spend June with my honey and go to Hawaii.

Day 301 - Fridays Letters

Dear General in Afghanistan, Thank you for finally signing my husband's Letter of Release. He's finally coming home. And he's coming home early. I will forever be grateful that you granted his request.
Dear Work, It hasn't been that much fun being back for a week, but I will be leaving you here soon. Really not going to miss you.
Dear Washington State, I look forward to getting to know you next month. And I am really excited about the cooler weather. Just keep the rain away for a little bit, pretty please.
Dear Endometriosis, The nausea you have plagued me with this morning has not been fun.  Please stop!
Dear Pycnogenol, I really really hope you help with the above mentioned letter to endo and nausea. Praying you make a difference.
Dear Forty Club, I hope you take it easy on me since I have to deal with the Endo mentioned above. But I did have a wonderful Wednesday celebrating my birthday with family.
Dear Hubby, I love you and am so happy you will be home soon. XOXO



Day 300 - So Close

I cannot believe that my husband has been officially in Afghanistan for 300 days. And we finally have his homecoming date. It hasn't really set in yet that next month I will be in Washington State and that my husband will be home. I get to see him every day! Looking back on the last 300 days I have been really blessed that we have been able to communicate via telephone, email, and Facetime. It's been a long 300 days but it's almost over. Finally!

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!