Monday, October 17, 2022

My intentional pause

Here it is mid-October, and I find myself taking an intentional pause.  Life has been on a crazy roll since we sold our home and moved to Boiling Springs, PA.  My body and mind desperately need REST.  I cannot go on without renewal and restoration. 

I remain excited about my book publication and the positive reviews from migraine sufferers as well as from my dear friends and family who have been so encouraging along the way.  I know I need to be on top of marketing to a greater degree, but my energy has drained right out of me at a most in opportune time.  I humbly ask my wonderful readers to help by spreading awareness of my book to friends and family.  Thank you.

September 3 was such a joyous day from beginning to end. Our celebration in Illinois was marked by Patrick and Emily's wedding, and I believe there was no greater witness of love.  There was a small scare of a Covid situation right up until the special day, but all turned out well and nothing had to be cancelled.   We all breathed a sigh of relief.

Now true to my usual medical drama, the Saturday before we were to fly out on Tuesday, my lower back decided to go into horrible spams, and I could NOT walk.  I couldn't even turn in bed.  So, long story short, I had to take a little trip to our local ER by ambulance! I felt ridiculous but nothing was giving me relief and I knew I needed intervention or I wouldn't be able to fly.  Talk about an emotional freak out----yep---I had one.  Tests were ordered and thankfully I wasn't brewing anything weird.   I was basically diagnosed with bad muscle spasms.  I gave my sob story of needing "drugs" to anyone who would listen because my son was getting married and I had to fly!!  I got my way, and I went loaded with a pharmacy of pain meds in addition to my pharmacy of migraine meds. I sometimes wonder why traveling can't be EASY.  I look in awe of the people who jump out of bed, pack a suitcase, and then just go!  We laugh at our precarious scenario now, but we were not laughing then.  

The greatest gift was being able to enjoy a long day of celebration without having a M attack.  Not even the hint of one.  Of course, my body was happy on steroids which helped a great deal. Praise God. 

The other medical annoyance I have been dealing with for months has been a very unhappy gallbladder.  I certainly did not want that to act up during our week of celebration, but God kept me strong.  I knew time was ticking before it had to be dealt with, but I tried to ignore it.  I should know by now that approach never works for me.  So, two weeks ago I had another little trip to our local ER to have it removed.  It wasn't waiting for me to decide.  I was so tired from the past few months that I just did not want to deal with another thing.  Oh well...

I am healing, but as I wrote in my Climbing My Matterhorn book, healing is not linear.  It is up and down with what I can eat or not.  As far as post op pain, I really do not have any now.  I had excellent hospital care both stays.  I could not have been more pleased.  

Currently, Mike and I are enjoying watching our house come together with colors, some lighting, and some structural details that make customizing a pleasure.  Now Mike and I feel like our structure certainly looks more like a home.

Here are a few pictures from the wedding as well as our house.  I will continue to update as it continues to make progress.  We still think it may be early December before move in.  I imagine Christmas will be a bit chaotic unpacking boxes and not knowing which end is up.  Just moving into our home will be the greatest gift we could have this year with family around our table.