I survived surgery to have a presumed benign tumor removed from my thigh yesterday. As I was being checked in, the registrar said, "Well, hopefully, everything will go okay for you today." I thought to myself, "Isn't there a better word than 'hopefully' to use at a time like this." Talk about a non-committal, less than enthusiastic statement!
Not that I was overly worried that I would have complications, but any time you are asked for your living will to give directions for what to do if you end up in some kind of vegetative state, well, you can't help but think about the "what ifs."
The tumor was sent to the pathologist and we will hear confirmation that it is benign. It was probably the anesthesia talking when I told the nurse through a few escaping tears that my sister had died from a benign tumor that chose the wrong location - her brain-stem - to grow where they couldn't get at it. I can't help but wonder - having had 3 cysts and now a tumor removed in the past 6 years, if this is just the beginning. I was told these things weren't hereditary after my sister died... but I'm beginning to wonder.
Add to this, Lexi coming to me last night crying saying she was afraid I was going to die. I calmed and reassured her that I was taking care of things so they wouldn't grow or spread and I would be just fine - and I know I will be one way or the other... but it breaks my heart to have my 9 year old wondering.
Anyway, on to the more entertaining events of the past weekend --
Pre-Fathers Day weekend Friday, I begin the morning in the kitchen loading the dishes that my kids didn't quite get to the dishwasher when I hear "drip, drip, drip" at a pretty good rate. I look under the sink and can see where someone has put a towel, that is wet, a candy bowl is almost full of water and water is missing both the rag and dish and dripping on the base of the cabinet. I clear out the items under the sink and find a flashlight to see where it is coming from - looks like the actual faucet itself vs. the hoses. I call Trent and ask if he knows anything about the kitchen sink leaking and he says no. I ask the kids the same question - after all, someone put a rag and dish there. No one knows anything. I propped Big Gulp cup in place. Trent eventually decides to look at it before we decide to call a plumber and says he has to get back to work so we can leave on our trip.
Next, I go put up the tent trailer so I can get it cleaned and loaded. I noticed the previous week when I put it's registration sticker on that we hadn't registered or used it since before it expired in 2011. Even though it was folded up for all that time, it still had a pretty good coating of dust. After using 409 on everything, sans cleaning gloves (big mistake) I hooked up the electricity to make sure the fridge was still working, and then the water. I turned it on, and went back in the trailer. Water was running on the floor from underneath. I ran outside to turn off the water at the faucet and it was running along the hoses underneath it. When we bought it used, we were told it was a 2001. Trent discovered a year or so ago, when looking for parts, that it was actually made in the 90's. Looks pretty good for being that old-- the point is, it wasn't fresh out of the factory, hadn't been winterized in all the time we had it - other than maybe the first year, and when I hooked it up to the hose, I wasn't thinking that our water pressure had been increased since we last tested it. So - it could be one of several or a combination as to why it sprung a leak. End result - we packed out own water in and did the dishes at the spigot at the Green River KOA.
Our weekend get away was meant to be a try out for the trailer before we take it for 8 days to Yellowstone this coming weekend. Steven can't go with us, so he will be holding down the fort here at home.
We pulled out of town 6 hours later than planned with the trailer lights not working. After a stop at autozone and cleaning off the plug, the lights worked fine and we made it to our destination just after 9pm. My brother's advice worked... he says he always spits on the plug before putting it together. That worked for us on the way home so maybe there is something to a little saliva!
We saw Goblin Valley and went to Arches with our 3 little girls and Trent in an early Fathers Day gift - a shirt that said: "DADD - Dad's against Daughters Dating." He got lots of smiles, compliments and men wanting to join the club.
We had a great time once we got there - even made it to the KOA pool.
Made it back in time for a Father's Day BBQ at my sister and the father of their baby, Mikul. He did 3 selections of barbecued meat. This was really nice - we've gotten into bring your own meat and a pot-luck dish because for awhile there, we were doing most of the hosting. Only hard thing after my dad arrived, was Pam saying that since our family and my mom like to pray for our meals and they don't, that she was wondering how to handle it. I had just said my own private prayer to bless the food and express my sadness over the prayer issues before she came over. I asked if she wanted us to go to a corner of the yard and have a private prayer. She said no, that we could say it. I said we didn't want to offend anyone by praying if they didn't want to. Just about that time, Mikul's female cousin stood up, said they were ready to get started and she would pray. I thanked her after and told her how much I appreciated it. Maybe we weren't as alone as I thought!
Trent had a wonderful Fathers' Day other than not hearing from one child. She was taking care of her bio dad who had surgery to have his gall bladder removed and said she honestly didn't think about it. I feel for my sweety. He opened his heart to her the moment they met and she asked him if he would be her daddy. He has never treated our two oldest any different than the 3 we had together. Never complained about the thousands of dollars in extracurricular activities they participated in. We're not perfect parents, but we have always tried to be there for our children and do what's best for them with lots of thought and prayer in our decisions. My personal experience has been that you don't really get it until you've had kids of your own.
I used to resent my dad for not taking the family on vacations other than 2 weekend family reunions with his brothers each year. It wasn't until I had my own baby, that I was able to focus on the fact that he never took a vacation or sick day from work, because he was worried about not having enough money to support us if he was unemployed from his construction job in the winter. Now his body is worn out with arthritis after years of hard manual labor. He may not be the most genteel, proper, compassionate man there is, but he was faithful to my mom, and wanted us to be responsible adults. I think I have been just that.
Anyway, to all our wonderful dads! To my quick recovery from my surgery - as well as a speedy recovery to my ex-husband. Thanks to my beautiful children who have been there for me to help me with foot rubs, food and help with swim - oh and the hugs and kisses too! Thank you to my neighbors who brought dinner last night - sorry about the kitchen covered in dishes, items from under the faucetless kitchen sink!!!
And life goes on!
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