The deal is that the kids can watch videos on the iPad once they're completely ready for school in the morning. The goal is to motivate them (especially Alice) to eat breakfast quicker.
Wednesday, October 31, 2018
Halloween: Twix or Treat
On Halloween night, we joined our friend Andrea (who lives on the other side of the neighborhood) and her two kids (Murphy and Glenn) plus another set of friends and their daughter Genevieve. We had pizza (I could eat it!) and salad (not allowed) and I made apple crisp, then we headed out to trick or treat for an hour or so. I was pretty tired and my back hurt for some unknown reason, but I made it. A month ago I didn't think it would be possible for me to go trick-or-treating with the kids, so I was thrilled to at least be able to go with them.
After Andrea's, we headed back to the cul-de-sac next to ours where they have a big potluck supper and bonfire with all the neighbors. Our kids had a lot of fun playing in the fire with the other kids.
***
I sometimes wonder if my kids love me--especially lately since I've been so absent from their lives and in the months of illness before my surgery, generally grumpy. Even before my slow recession from their lives, for Simon, I ranked somewhere below the cat, grandpa, and a half-dead cicada. But on Halloween night, it became clear that the mother-child bonds had not completely eroded. The kids know that my favorite candy bar is Twix, and so every time they got one while trick-or-treating, they would run jubilantly back to me with it in their hand and profess their love: "I got you a Twix, Mom! Your favorite!" When neighbors presented them with a bowl of candy bars to choose from, they would always pick a Twix. When I checked their candy bags after the haul the extent of their love became clear: every single full-sized candy bar was a Twix.
The next morning, I asked Alice how much of her candy I should eat while she was at school. She decided I could have three treats and went and picked them out for me:
After Andrea's, we headed back to the cul-de-sac next to ours where they have a big potluck supper and bonfire with all the neighbors. Our kids had a lot of fun playing in the fire with the other kids.
***
I sometimes wonder if my kids love me--especially lately since I've been so absent from their lives and in the months of illness before my surgery, generally grumpy. Even before my slow recession from their lives, for Simon, I ranked somewhere below the cat, grandpa, and a half-dead cicada. But on Halloween night, it became clear that the mother-child bonds had not completely eroded. The kids know that my favorite candy bar is Twix, and so every time they got one while trick-or-treating, they would run jubilantly back to me with it in their hand and profess their love: "I got you a Twix, Mom! Your favorite!" When neighbors presented them with a bowl of candy bars to choose from, they would always pick a Twix. When I checked their candy bags after the haul the extent of their love became clear: every single full-sized candy bar was a Twix.
The next morning, I asked Alice how much of her candy I should eat while she was at school. She decided I could have three treats and went and picked them out for me:
I love my kids so much.
(I did not actually eat any of these giant Twix bars, though.)
(I did not actually eat any of these giant Twix bars, though.)
Monday, October 29, 2018
Last night with the grandparents
Alas, my parents' two-week visit was about to come to an end. They would fly back to Ohio on Tuesday afternoon. Monday night was their last night reading with the kids at bedtime.
Pumpkin Carving
Zac bought the kids these pumpkins several weeks ago and we almost forgot to carve them in time for Halloween! Luckily, we had a warm beautiful afternoon on Monday and my parents picked the kids up earlier from school so we'd have time to carve before supper.
Simon tried, but didn't quite have the strength and dexterity to carve his own pumpkin yet. Luckily grandpa was there to help!
Alice worked really hard and carved most of her pumpkin herself.
Alice accidentally dropped her pumpkin while carrying it to the front porch, but I think the crack gives it a nice Frankenstein's Monster aesthetic.
Sunday, October 28, 2018
May the Force be with You while you Sleep
Alice got some awesome hand-me-down pajamas from my Star-Wars-Obsessed friend Lisa's kids.
Pre-Halloween Night Walk
My parents and I took the kids on a little night walk to the cul-de-sac on the other side of the pond to look at some spooky Halloween decorations. They loved it, and I was excited because I was feeling strong enough to go with them on the little walk!
Clip charts...again!
Simon briefly went through a clip-chart making phase again, producing two clip charts where he copied the colors and words from the one I had made.
Here he works, with his ever-patient grandpa on hand for any needed assistance.
Here he works, with his ever-patient grandpa on hand for any needed assistance.
Perks of living by the Park!
On Sunday afternoon my parents took the kids to the park so they could get out their energy and Zac could get yard work done and I could take a nap.
Simon and his nests...
Saturday, October 27, 2018
Halloween at the Mall
Cary Towne Center Mall had their annual trick or treating for kids on Saturday evening. My parents took the kids to it, while I lazed about and Zac did some yard work. It was so nice to have extra help during this week!
My mom always did a great job with Alice's hair.
The kids decided to be skeletons this year. It was super easy because I found these skeleton pajamas at Target by accident. The bones even glow in the dark!
Alice was a bit grumpy at first and didn't want to comply with the picture taking (a banana later revived her good spirits).
Simon is always ready with a big smile!
They got lots of candy at the mall and enjoyed seeing all the other kids' costumes.
There was even a snake to pet!
I think this picture is really of the car behind them.
Thursday, October 25, 2018
Getting the newspaper
I don't know what's on his head, but Simon loves to get the newspaper for us in the mornings.
Tuesday, October 23, 2018
Sunday, October 21, 2018
Home from the Hospital!
It was so good to be out of the hospital. It was a beautiful day and as Zac drove me home, I just couldn't get enough of the trees and sky.
Back at home, the kids were happy to see me. While I was in the hospital, I would call them and do FaceTime most evenings. Alice loved talking on the phone and I could tell she felt it was a very grown-up think to do. Simon was super cute and one time went under the couch with the phone to get some privacy to talk to me. But there's nothing like the real thing!
They both made me cards (I can't find Alice's) to welcome me home.
Simon was eager to share his card with me.
Then I just sat around and watched a movie with the kids and fell asleep in the chair.
Then my parents took the kids to the park to get some energy out, and so I could relax. Alice made some friends and ran around the park, while Simon diligently did work of his own design.
Sera's Week in the Hospital for Total Colectomy Surgery
Monday 10/15
Here I am in the pre-surgery bay, all ready to go. I wasn't really nervous about this surgery; if anything I was happy the day had finally arrived for the beginning of the end to my misery.
After surgery, I had a lot of pain in my shoulders, which was very unexpected. They said it was from air bubbles--I guess they inflate the abdomen or something. I had a nice little button to press to get pain relief from morphine directly into my IV. I think I used it for an hour or two, but once they came and gave me the other pain meds, I didn't need the morphine button anymore.
I was poked full of holes and connected to lots of tubes. I had an IV in my left arm and a back-up tube in my right wrist. I had a urninary catheter and another tube in my butt. I also had a JP drain coming out of one of the 6 incisions in my abdomen. And lets not forget about my stoma and bag. It was quite a lot, but the good news was that I had no need to move out of the bed at all that first night. After months of getting up multiple times a night to go the bathroom, this seemed like a luxury.
After surgery, I stayed groggy from the anesthesia for a long time. But eventually the fog cleared and I asked what I was allowed to eat. They said I could eat anything I wanted, but to take it easy. So for my first meal without my colon, I had pancakes, applesauce, and yogurt. I hadn't had a real pancake in four months, so it was incredibly delicious.
Wednesday 10/17
I spent most of my time in recovery watching TV and thinking about what I would eat next. The hospital had a good menu, and I was finally able to eat a variety of foods without fear. I still avoided the greasy and heavy stuff, and stayed away from beans or gassy foods. My room had a pathetic little window with no view, but it was brightened by flowers and cards from friends, and some art that Zac brought from the kids.
Thursday 10/20
This was a bad day. I didn't feel well in the morning and kept getting hot flashes. In the afternoon I threw up three times. They put me back on an IV and restricted me to a liquid diet. I was so nauseous I couldn't even keep water down. They said this was normal on day 3 of recovery. Zac stayed the night with me in case I needed help barfing or if things really went south.
Friday 10/19
I was on a liquid diet for most of the day on Friday, which made me sad because I couldn't enjoy all the restaurant food. I had trouble drinking juice or gatorade because I associated it with my nausea from the bowel prep the day before surgery. I found that I could tolerate icy ginger ale and little cups of Italian Ice, and chicken broth, so I survived on that. The nuisance of being on an IV again was that I had to pull the pole around with me on my exercise walks through the corridors. Luckily, I didn't throw up anymore and my nausea was gone by the evening, so they said I could eat real food again.
Saturday 10/20
As nice as it's been laying around with no responsibilities and enjoying real food again, delivered by room service no less, I am ready to get out of here! So was Zac, so he took a break from sitting with me in the hospital and my parents came up for the day.
Sunday 10/21
In the morning they tell me I'm going to be released! I was so happy and felt so good. I stuck around long enough to enjoy one last meal: meatloaf, mashed potatoes, collard greens, roll, and lemon merengue pie! (the strawberry milkshake was for Zac)
Here I am in the pre-surgery bay, all ready to go. I wasn't really nervous about this surgery; if anything I was happy the day had finally arrived for the beginning of the end to my misery.
After surgery, I had a lot of pain in my shoulders, which was very unexpected. They said it was from air bubbles--I guess they inflate the abdomen or something. I had a nice little button to press to get pain relief from morphine directly into my IV. I think I used it for an hour or two, but once they came and gave me the other pain meds, I didn't need the morphine button anymore.
I was poked full of holes and connected to lots of tubes. I had an IV in my left arm and a back-up tube in my right wrist. I had a urninary catheter and another tube in my butt. I also had a JP drain coming out of one of the 6 incisions in my abdomen. And lets not forget about my stoma and bag. It was quite a lot, but the good news was that I had no need to move out of the bed at all that first night. After months of getting up multiple times a night to go the bathroom, this seemed like a luxury.
After surgery, I stayed groggy from the anesthesia for a long time. But eventually the fog cleared and I asked what I was allowed to eat. They said I could eat anything I wanted, but to take it easy. So for my first meal without my colon, I had pancakes, applesauce, and yogurt. I hadn't had a real pancake in four months, so it was incredibly delicious.
Tuesday 10/16
They took out my urinary catheter and I had to prove I could pee. My whole time in the hospital they measured and monitored my urine and stool output. Nurses would come at all hours to take my vitals, give me pain meds, or give me heparin shots (it's a blood thinner to prevent clots).
I couldn't sleep properly, plus my remaining intestines were rather uncomfortable. As they "woke up" slowly from the surgery, they produced lots of gas, and it seemed like I could feel everything moving through them.
Also, every day for three days I was visited by the ostomy nurse who teaches me how to change my bag and care for my stoma. My stoma looks like a small, peeled, ripe red tomato. I'm shocked every time I see it.
Wednesday 10/17
I spent most of my time in recovery watching TV and thinking about what I would eat next. The hospital had a good menu, and I was finally able to eat a variety of foods without fear. I still avoided the greasy and heavy stuff, and stayed away from beans or gassy foods. My room had a pathetic little window with no view, but it was brightened by flowers and cards from friends, and some art that Zac brought from the kids.
Thursday 10/20
This was a bad day. I didn't feel well in the morning and kept getting hot flashes. In the afternoon I threw up three times. They put me back on an IV and restricted me to a liquid diet. I was so nauseous I couldn't even keep water down. They said this was normal on day 3 of recovery. Zac stayed the night with me in case I needed help barfing or if things really went south.
Friday 10/19
I was on a liquid diet for most of the day on Friday, which made me sad because I couldn't enjoy all the restaurant food. I had trouble drinking juice or gatorade because I associated it with my nausea from the bowel prep the day before surgery. I found that I could tolerate icy ginger ale and little cups of Italian Ice, and chicken broth, so I survived on that. The nuisance of being on an IV again was that I had to pull the pole around with me on my exercise walks through the corridors. Luckily, I didn't throw up anymore and my nausea was gone by the evening, so they said I could eat real food again.
Saturday 10/20
As nice as it's been laying around with no responsibilities and enjoying real food again, delivered by room service no less, I am ready to get out of here! So was Zac, so he took a break from sitting with me in the hospital and my parents came up for the day.
Sunday 10/21
In the morning they tell me I'm going to be released! I was so happy and felt so good. I stuck around long enough to enjoy one last meal: meatloaf, mashed potatoes, collard greens, roll, and lemon merengue pie! (the strawberry milkshake was for Zac)
Goodbye hospital! See you again in a few months.
Saturday, October 20, 2018
Izzy's Belated Birthday
Saturday evening Zac took the kids to Izzy's for her belated birthday party campout. However, this year, Zac just took the kids for a few hours and then came home, so he wouldn't have to spend time packing and unpacking from camping.
Natasha had little fires for them to start and pumpkins to carve, plus glow balloons. Looks like they had a great time!
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