29 November 2011

JellyBelly All Over the Place

First off, part of me is thankful that my recovery is more difficult than I thought it would be. I thought that I would be bored, but the enforced rest and relaxation has been so good for me.

1) My local Napro doctor checked my incision yesterday and she is happy with how it's healing. I have been ordered to keep it uncovered during the day (which kinda grosses me out). I am so glad that I didn't have a reaction to the antibiotics! Having drug sensitivities is not a fun thing at all.

2) My brother-in-law left for the S.udan today. He is finishing up his Jesuit training and will be helping with refugees. I am beyond worried, but Mr. JB and his dad are not. He is going to be there until March. Please keep him in your prayers.

3) We had our first Christmas party this past weekend. Mr. JB's dad has been friends with a group from Toronto for over forty years. It was our family's turn to host and my BIL chose this past weekend because he knew he was going to be home. The party went really well and I didn't get over-tired. Mr. JB's best friend (how convenient that his bf is the son of one of his dad's closest friends!) also gave me an acupuncture treatment which helped with my pain level. I felt extra-special barren since we were the only couple our age that didn't have a young child. I really wanted to have a glass of wine, but I resisted temptation. Thank God for the gluten-free cupcakes that I ordered!

4) Speaking of pain level, I've noticed an improvement. I stopped taking the prescription pain meds over a week and a half ago and I've been on Ad.vil and Tyl.enol. Dr. Hilgers said that I could start spacing out the meds in order to wean myself off of them. I slept through my A.dvil alarm last night and when I woke up I wasn't too uncomfortable. I've also been able to do some things in the kitchen (I roasted some kale last night for a snack -- yum!).

5) My energy level has been so much better now that I'm not getting up throughout the night to take meds. I hope that by next week I will be able to sleep through the night without the alarm going off!

6) I got the results of my thyroid panel yesterday, just in time for my appointment with Dr. T. I do have a thyroid dysfunction (I just can't remember what it is and the lab results are way too far from the couch right now!). When my next cycle starts (um, AF where are you?) I have to measure my basal body temperature and pulses. When I finish doing that I have to send the paperwork off to Omaha. I knew that there was something wrong with my thyroid all along! I love being right!

7) Mr. JB's cousin's wife passed away last week. She was Aunt Fran's daughter-in-law and she had been fighting cancer for over ten years. Please keep the family in your prayers, they have experienced so much loss in the past few years.

8) We still don't have an Advent wreath! I'm thinking that I'm just going to break out the candles, wreath or not. Who would've thought that it would be so difficult. Then again, I don't feel ready to drive. If I was able to drive I would've had a wreath last week!

9) We got a larger than anticipated bill from PPVI. It was so large that I had a panic attack -- my first since university. Mr. JB is dealing with it, but we would definitely appreciate some prayers for mercy or for a considerable amount of cash to fall from the sky.

10) On a happy note. We went to see the Muppet Movie on Sunday afternoon. I love the Muppets so much. I remember being a little kid and watching the show after dinner with my dad.  The movie made me so happy and it was exactly what I needed. If you haven't seen it, go!!!

19 comments:

  1. Sounds like you are recovering well. Good to hear! I had a part of my incision that took forever to heal and it is uglier than the rest of the scar, but it ultimately healed. I think the open air thing did the trick. It seems counter-intuitive to me, though. I'm all about the band-aids! :)

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  2. Glad to hear that you are recovering well.

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  3. YOu continue to be in our prayers!! I can empathize with the medical bills. We are self employed and by private insurance because of that. I have a history of c-sections and so we are unable to pick up maternity coverage in the private arena. My hubs has been working his tail feathers off "preparing" as much as possible for the large bill that is to come in the winter when baby is born. Praying the chaplet of Divine Mercy, trusting in Jesus, has brought great peace to me. (Not sure about him since he is the bread winner!) Hugs and prayers!

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  4. Glad to hear your recovery is going well. I'm happy that you're finding the rest and relaxation beneficial. For those of us that always like to be doing something it's often hard to slow down. Sometimes God just put a stop sign right in our path. Enjoy the rest of your time off!

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  5. Glad you are feeling better. Been praying! I am about a month into the temps and pulses for thyroid. I have alarms set on my phone and that helps- if the phone is turned on and charged! Sorry to hear about the loss in your family. Keep healing Jelly Belly!

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  6. I am praying for you and all these things! I know it doesn't help to say this, but try not to worry too much about the money. It all works out somehow. The temps and pulses, it sucks to remember to do it, but that T3 is just glorious. :)

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  7. I am so glad to hear you are doing well! I believe with all my heart that God will bless you and hubby with a baby! Just trust and pray! Have you ever heard of Immaculee, survivor of the Rwanda Genocide? I heard from someone on Facebook that Immaculee told everyone at one of her retreats that those who had trouble conceiving should pray the 7 sorrows rosary! As it turns out, Immaculee spoke there about many ladies wanting babies who prayed the 7 sorrows rosary and God blessed them with a baby! I wish I had some extra $$$ so I could gift you with a 7 sorrows rosary and Immaculee's book on how to pray it, but I do not have any extra $$ right now. If you visit her website at immaculee.com you will be able to find the 7 sorrows rosary and the book I'm talking about! Also pray the regular rosary and mediate on the first joyful mystery when the angel Gabriel told Our Lady how her cousin elizabeth who was called barren has concieved and is now in her sixth month - it says nothing is impossible with God! God is not a respecter of persons and what he has done for St. Elizabeth and St. Ann, He can and will do the same for you! You just have to continue praying and believing!

    Would you like to pray the rosary and 7 sorrows rosary together with me asking for the blessing of a child? I would love the opportunity to pray with you and for you! Let me know! Also, would anybody else like to join us? Email me and let me know - maybe we can start a group?

    prayrosary4life@aol.com

    You're in my thoughts and prayers for a good recovery and the blessing of a children! Believe, trust, and pray!

    Love,
    Maria :)

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  8. Maria,

    I just ordered the rosary and booklet from Immaculee's website! I had to have it shipped to a girlfriend in the US so I won't get it until around Christmas. Hebrews mentioned the power of the Seven Sorrows rosary so I had to get one!

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  9. I am so glad to hear you are progressing well and the pain is less. It must be hard for you to take it easy - I hope you can find the gift in it, even it it isn't your usual speed.

    I will continue to keep you and your family in my prayers :)

    Andie

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  10. Jen, I am so happy you ordered the rosary and 7 sorrows booklet! Has your friend Hebrews mentioned the power of the 7 sorrows rosary on her blog? Has she met Immaculee? Been to one of her retreats? I'd love to hear more! I also thought I read awhile ago how "All You Hope" has been to an Immaculee retreat! I need to look up these ladies blogs and see if they have written anything about these things on their blog! I am dying for more information! I also could use some hope and encouragement myself! Thanks for letting me know! PLease keep in touch with me! I will continue praying for you!

    I guess the info I'm looking for is more hope and encouragement about ladies with difficulty trying to concieve praying the rosary or 7 sorrows rosary and being blessed with children - either through their womb or adoption! I would love to hear from such ladies and hear your stories!

    Thank you!

    Love,
    Maria :)

    prayrosary4life@aol.com

    Love,
    Maria

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  11. So glad you are recovering well. Hugs!

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  12. so glad you are feeling better!!

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  13. Taking my pulses and temps throughout this cycle to get the correct dose of T3 figured out...not fun but I am already feeling better!

    Your energy will return with time. I felt a lot better at about 6 weeks post-op.

    Praying!

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  14. Yay for T3!! I bet you'll feel so much better once your thyroid stuff gets sorted out. Praying for your financial intentions... somehow, some way... it will work out. But I hear you on the panic attack. :(

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  15. So glad to hear that you're feeling better. Painkillers are awesome! :) I'll be praying for your intentions.
    I don't know if this will help, but I called PPVI billing about the amount of one of the bills, just saying "I have a question." And they shaved off a few hundred dollars. I don't know if that was an act of God, because I certainly wasn't asking them to deduct any money from my bill. I always review their bills (not that I don't trust them), but I don't want to get double billed or something ... and also because their billing is CRAZY HARD to understand!!! Praying the money will come rolling in!

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  16. So glad to hear you are recovering well! I've been praying extra for you that the pain will go away and the healing will be quick!

    And, interesting comments about the powers of praying the 7 sorrows rosary...I'm definitely going to look into that!

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  17. Glad to hear things are continually getting better!

    I'm with you on the advent wreath...we have candles, but no wreath...I have no excuse other than laziness and forgetfulness though.

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  18. Don't know about any pulses and temps, but I do feel so much better on thyroid. I haven't got my Advent wreath up yet either, but I don't have a good excuse. (Unless the toilet counts??)

    Sorry to hear about the medical bill :(. Will say a prayer that it straightens itself out. Sometimes they do...

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