There are occasions in your life that you count down to because you’re excited about them. Weddings, the 40 weeks of pregnancy, days until vacation, that kind of thing.
There are other things you count down to because you’re terrified.
Today I scheduled on of those. For 36 days from now. September 22.
Childbirth, when it goes right, is a beautiful thing. In all the movies, the mommy pushes, the baby’s here, there are no complications with either participant.
With Helen and with Alice, there were no complications with either baby at all (aside from Alice’s attempts to scare us from weeks 28-37) — each was perfect in absolutely every way, aside from the minor conehead. I, however, sustained some injuries from the first experience that still haunt me. Helen literally burst into the world, tearing a very inconvenient muscle. Being pregnant with Alice furthered the damage, though the childbirth itself didn’t cause any more. On September 22, I will have that critical muscle sewn back together. I had to wait until I was finished having and nursing children to have this surgery, because the painkillers that I will have to take to get through it will be pretty… um… effective.
So. I will be in the hospital for several days (the surgeon said that he likes for his patients to stay for 4 days, but I can go home sooner if I want to, situation permitting). And then I will be doped up at home for about 10 more days after that. The full recovery period will be about 6 weeks.
36 days. And then X days, and then I have an 80% chance of an improved life through medicine. Let the countdown begin.
13 Responses
At least you have a fantastic league of pseudo-nurses just WAITING to wait on you, hand-and-foot.
Exactly. I know I work during the week, but your girls could stay at my house for the weekend or any part there-of, so Jerry can take care of you. Or, if Jerry is not good at the care-taking thing, we can fill in there, too.
And we’ll definitely be delivering some meals.
I’m glad you scheduled this, E. Needs to happen!
Amen.
I will refrain from meals, however, as I am not even close to a chef. I can manage small stuffs.. rolled sandwiches, stuffed olives, and the like. But no meals from me.
I’ll deliver unwaivering support, how bout that? 🙂
We can sit at her bedside and tell her jokes, as she’s trying not to laugh …
Thanks, ladies… I do have 3 sets of grandparents in town, so that’ll help a lot. I made sure my mom will be available (i.e. not galavanting on some trip somewhere), so that’ll help a lot. And the girls will of course have school two mornings a week, etc.
But yes. I will love company, even though I will not be looking or feeling my best, nor will I probably remember it. 🙂
FINE.
Me you tell to stay home.
Hmph. I see how I rate…..
Nancy — if you’re going to fork out the cash to fly across the country to visit me, I want to be able to remember it AND enjoy it. Be not offended.
I’ve been budgeting leave for this; I’ll be here a lot.
Hmmm… maybe I need to put in a wifi access point upstairs…
WiFi access upstairs. Yes. If that means E can stay wired.
Cause I think IM’ing with Elaine while she’s on dope is gonna be a HOOT!
Jerry, you mean you don’t already have one!?!?
Our wireless point is downstairs, and signal strength in the master BR is less than stellar. This would be just an additional WAP on the network.
I can use our wireless from the only point upstairs I care about — the kids’ bathroom. Nice image huh?
Mike likes to take super long baths. While he’s in the tub, I’m on the laptop. Sweet.
Ouch. I hurt just thinking about it. I can’t do much from here, but I’ll send good thoughts via airmail.