Drains Out :-)

Yesterday, we went to see the plastic surgeons, Dr. Vandeveder and Dr. Salvino and I begged that they removed the balls/ornaments. After examining the liquid and assessing the situation, they both agreed that the drains could come out.  Besides, I told them, my sister is leaving for California on Sunday and she has been the one that has been draining them. I also told them that I was starting to smell it and I didn't like the way I smelled with them. Of course, everyone gave me a weird look, but just because they can't smell it doesn't mean it wasn't smelly. Even Frendell was telling me my sense of smell was a little off... oh well...

So far, everything is looking well, although there is a spot where it's blistering. It hurt when Dr. Salvino pulled the drains out and I couldn't help but cry out a bit. It made me sweat, it hurt so bad. And now, I also have to make sure my belly-button is cleaned out coz they don't want it to be infected and I guess it's starting to. So, we have to clean it with saline and gauze at least twice a day.  The thing is, it really hurts there and it's a combination of pain and some numbness in that area.  When we were driving around yesterday, I felt like my whole torso and right arm were in heightened pain mode. Every bump was painful and even when we turned the corners, I felt like my nerve endings were standing on alert.  Frendell asked me what it was that I didn't like about taking the pain meds.  It's hard to describe, I told him. Although it does take the edge off, it still hurts when I move, but coupled with that, sometimes I feel irritable, coupled with a feeling of despondency; also it makes me sleepy most of the time and yet when I sleep, it hurts when I move. Sometimes when I wake up I'm dizzy and I can only hope that I'm not always babbling nonsense when they're talking to me. Although all the side effects do not always happen all the time, there's enough times there, that I usually only take the strong pain meds at night, so I can at least sleep at least 3 hours or more. I usually wake up when it's wearing off, coz the pain intensifies more. Sometimes I take another one, other times I take the tylenol. The doctors say the pain will be there for  awhile, as well as the swelling in the my right side and right arm.  My stomach area, where they removed the muscle, is also very painful and it hurts when I try to sit up and roll to my side. The incisions are healing nicely though, so that's a great thing :-)

I'm so happy my balls/ornaments are out :-)  So happy, I ended up taking a 2-hour nap when we got home yesterday. In some ways, it was easier to lay down last night when I went to sleep, but I ended up tossing around more, so I didn't get more sleep... its just easier to move around. I'm so glad I still have the binder. I tell you, as they are removing some of the things that are more painful, I can feel the pain in the other areas now. My belly button hurts more and so does the transplanted muscle. Sometimes I get weird sensations there.  

Kinda reminds me of when we try to get rid of sin from our lives, eh? Painful but I'm glad to be rid of them. And most of all, I'm so thankful the doctors knew what they were doing, just like God knows what He's doing when He challenges us to be rid of sin, and I'm glad my husband and sister were there to render their support and love (and hopefully we have a community/church family who will provide the love and support). I was concerned Frendell may faint, since I did cry out more this time around.. he stood behind the curtain so he didn't have to see me writhing in pain... it didn't last too, too long, but it was painful nonetheless. I'm sorry I'm such a wus.. I couldn't help it yesterday. Today is a new day... with no more balls/ornaments/drains :-)  Yeay... I celebrate the progress...  Have a great day, everyone.  

Carol and Cake

 Samantha and Lesley DeLeon visited us today and brought muffins and pomelo and salad and sprouts (that Auntie Angie made and grew).  It was great seeing the girls again and looking at their pictures from Costa Rica.  

Of course we laughed and smiled and ate :-)  Can't wait to hear about their next adventures..

 And here is Carol Gayer, with her delicious banana cake with chocolate frosting, all made from scratch.  She brought the beautiful flowers as well.  Carol, we are so impressed by your baking skills.. we couldn't stop eating this cake, it was so delicious.  Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to bake for us :-)   it made me forget my pain, at least momentarily :-)   you're too awesome. We especially appreciate your baking as we do not have a working oven at home, so any baked goods is gold :-)

 Carol gave us the biggest smile of the day last Monday, Feb 9th, when she came by and brought us this yummy banana cake.  I'm sorry, if you're planning to come over to try some, it's all gone :-)  

Cheerful visits

 And here we are with Uncle Jesse and Auntie Beth Reyes, who came to visit us on Sunday, Feb 8th. They stopped by on their way to Indiana, where Uncle works. It was great talking to them and they have shown their generosity in so many ways.  We were trying to decipher which is the better juicer, Champion or Green Star.  I'm sure many of you will have different opinions about this. What do you think?

 This little cute guy came with the bouquet of gerber daisies from Dana Palmer. Isn't he adorable? I see him everytime I get in and out of bed as he sits on my dresser.  And yes, that is a baby monitor that Frendell bought, so he can hear me from his office :-)  sometimes I try to say things just to see if he's listening... and boy, is he ever.  he comes right away to see if I need help to move around :-) 

  The cheerful gerber daisies from Dana :-)  they're one of my favorite flowers coz they always look so cheerful and pretty...  

 And this beautiful arrangement is from our Chicago Fil-am church family. Thank you to all who have sent me flowers, cards, gifts of all kinds, food, books, socks, slippers, wall pictures, audio books, robes and clothes. All of these generous and thoughtful gifts and acts of kindness have made this hospitalization so much warmer and it overwhelms me how many of you show your love in so many tangible ways. God has surely provided for our needs in all areas and His constant reminder through all your generous acts humble us because there is no reason not to trust Him and hope and know that He is there every step of the way.  If I in any way have forgotten to mention you specifically or thank you personally, please don't hesitate to let me know. I am trying my best to acknowledge all who have done things, but I know I may forget unintentionally to mention someone and for that, I ask for your forgiveness. I still have some memory hiccups, possibly due to the anesthesia or something else, but I do not want to neglect saying my appreciation to any of you. Thank you for letting God use you to touch our lives in so many ways. We bring Him honor and glory and we know that we can face this battle with Him by our side. Thank you to all of you...

Froy n da carpet

 So Froy spent about a week recarpeting our bedroom... I know he was tired and sore and lost lots of sleep that week

 My dear darling was trying to clean up and get ready for the final installation

  even Patricia was doing some measuring and cutting? :-)

taking a break from it all...

 and when all was said and done, I was sleeping when they finished that night... i didn't hear a thing coz I took my pain meds... blissful sleep. thank you Froy, Mahal and Patricia for doing the carpet.. the room looks so beautiful now because of it. I really appreciate all that you did

OP 2.0 Visits

 And our young adults and band, OP 2.0 came over last Saturday to visit us before they went to West Central for the Oasis Gathering.  There was:  Mac Soriano, Andrew Alava, Ron Rodriguez, Jason Robinson, Sharon Alava. Sitting down from left:  Melody Calla, guess who?, Claress Rodriguez and Joyce Lindsey.

  And of course, they met Ate Grace, also known as Ats :-)  

  The plaid boys, I think Sharon called them.. i liked their shirts, actually

 And it was nice to visit with everyone, even for a short while.  We almost walked to West Central later on that night, since we live so close there, but I just couldn't do it. Sometimes it's hard to gauge how much I can do and how much I shouldn't try to do yet :-)

Ooppss.. this should be labeled flowers :-)

  these beautiful tulips are from Becki & Jason Wightman

 this beautiful arrangement is from Ate Vien and Auntie Esther Cornell

  These stargazer lilies are from Ann Hong Mclaughlin

 This sunshine bouquet is from cousin Karen Martinez, all the way from Vancouver BC.  All these flowers have brightened up  my days and have brought lots of smiles to our faces. I'm sorry that I didn't get to take a picture of the bouquet from Elder Ed Barnett.  Unfortunately, they wouldn't let flowers in the ICU when he came to visit me. Frendell said they were beautiful, though.  Thank you all for thinking of me and sending such lovely reminders of God's beautiful creations.. even in the dead of winter.  The delivery people always want to make sure we're home coz they didn't want to leave the flowers outside when it's below freezing.  Can't you smell the lovely scents of spring and summer?  Our house smelled so good because of the sea of flowers 

Flowers

 This is our dentist's new office. It's so nice, I don't even feel like it's a dentist office, and she knows how scared I am of dentists...

 Dr. Mardi Tingzon is our dentist. When she found out I am slated to have chemo after my surgery, she made me some special trays to put this special toothpaste in, to protect the enamel of my teeth during the whole chemo process.  Who knew?  thanks Mardi. I love that you were looking out for the health of my teeth :-)

After the first doctor's visit, we decided to go to lunch. We saw this restaurant on the Food Network that was supposed to be popular when Route 66 was the major highway from Illinois to California.  It's called the Dell Rhea Chicken Basket.  I think it was pretty good... they had really great potato salad :-)

  So here we were waiting for our food...  thankfully I had taken some pain meds, so I was able to sit for a bit.  We even went to walk @ Costco for a bit after lunch, then Frendell had to take me  home because I was so tired. I fell asleep as soon as we got home.. and the next day, I couldn't do anything but stay still... it hurt alot to move...  so, I try to smile when I can, otherwise all you'll see are my pouts :-( and hear my moans