Dackel Princess

Plastics

It has been a hard recovery for me this time. I’ve had more pain than the last time and quite honestly, this makes me pretty hesitant about the next surgery.

Yes, there will be another one in the next few weeks. It seems, things did not come out quite right.

So on May 1st I go back to see the plastic surgeon, my dermatologist and gynecologist. All at this one medical center an hour and fifteen minutes away. With that, I am actually happy. At least I got all three appointments on one day!

My face looks so much better than it did before the surgery, but under the graft on my nose it too much flesh and blood. Also on the forehead, that also needs to be cleaned up as it also did not come through the way the doctor wanted.

One thing I have come to learn is that plastic surgery, after this type of damage, often goes in stages.

So I was exhausted last night and fell asleep long before I wrote Dackel Princess.

I’m hoping to get back to my usual self soon, and get writing more often.

Have a great Thursday Everyone!!!

Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. April showers bring May flowers…what have you been showered with this month?

Computer peripherals. My high speed internet modem and my router. I replaced the modem, and then (fortunately) took the router out of the box and got it hooked up!

2. What is the nature of compassion? Is it learned or innate? Can compassion be learned? If you’re a parent is this something you’ve purposely sought to instill in your children, and if so how?

I think this is a tough question. Some people have never been taught, of have the innate quality of compassion. I tried to teach my girls compassion by doing clothing drives for the poor, as well as having them go through their toys to donate to a woman’s shelter. I think it worked because Mandy is so very thoughtful and compassionate.

3. Do you prefer to watch romantic comedy or romantic drama…or are you rolling your eyes saying bring on the action flicks?

I like romantic comedy, and I also love action flicks, but not horrific ones. I love Bruce Willis, and his action movies always make me sit on the edge of my seat and sometimes laugh.

4. It’s April which means baseball season is officially upon us here in the US of A. Humphrey Bogart is quoted as saying “A hot dog at the ballgame beats roast beef at the Ritz.” Agree or Disagree?

Oh yeah! There is nothing like a hot-dog and beer at the ballpark!

5. What’s something in your community or city that needs fixing or improving?

Apparently, the park trails now that it is spring. Hubby is going this weekend to help clear the trails!

6. Share a song you enjoy that mentions flowers or a specific flower in its title.

7. April 22nd is Earth Day…do you believe there’s life on other planets? That wasn’t the question you were expecting was it?

I’d like too. How exciting!

8. Insert your own random thought here.

Taken this morning on the left. Here is my after on the right!

Twas The Day Before Surgery…

My Monday began much like any other day. Walking the dogs, making the coffee…and then my day turned upside down.

I had no Internet connection! I went and rebooted my router as I’ve been having a lot of trouble with that, but no, it didn’t work. So, as I got my second cup of coffee, I called my Internet Service Provider.

She tested the modem and it was determined that the modem was indeed dead.

So after breakfast, off Hubby and I went to exchange the modem, get the light bulb I talked about yesterday and food for our picky eater, Fritz.

As we roamed the isles of Walmart a little girl took one look at me and then followed me for several isles. Her eyes were wide with wonder and her mouth agape! Oh yes, I can hardly wait for my surgery!

Upon our arrival home, I hooked up the new modem and after another round with tech support, we got the modem running.

But then the router up and completely died! I sat down thinking. We already have our new, replacement router, but I was a little afraid to get it online.

I opened the box, read the almost non-existent instructions, where they actually said, “If you have any questions see us at www://……….

Now how the heck can you go online if the router isn’t working?

After several hours (I kid you not!) I finally got the router up and running. There are still tweaks to be done, but we can at least access the Internet! Yay!

I got the call for my surgery today. I must be at the hospital by 11:30 for a 1:00 pm surgery.

Folks, this nightmare is nearly over, and soon I will have my face back!

Savannah took her first steps!

I’m sure I don’t have to tell you how happy I am about that! Oh, how I can hardly wait to see her in person!!!

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So off to bed I go and I’ll report in on Wednesday and let you know how it all went!

What I Did This Past Weekend

Our host is Gattina. Come join us and tell us what YOU did this past weekend! After all, you never know when you will need an alibi!

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Well this past weekend was the weekend I prepared in earnest for all that is to come. The really weird part is, I’m actually ready both here at home and in my head.

I look around my home and I see a certain amount of organization. Why I even cleaned my refrigerator today and discovered a burned out light bulb in the bottom, so we’ll take care of that on Monday.

There are several things I am looking forward to after the surgery!

I’m looking forward to being able to sleep freely. Right now I have to sleep on my back and after a night of sleeping like this, I wake up so stiff and achy.
I’m looking forward to showers where I can allow the water to splash in my face! Currently I can only shower with my nose covered and with my back to the water!

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I’m looking forward to being able to go outside and feel the wind on my face without pain, much like a cavitie, on my poor raw nose!
I’m looking forward to being able to go out and not have people stare at me and wonder…
I’m looking forward to going for a nice walk in the sunshine!
I am looking forward to wearing my glasses again! I never thought I would say that, after complaining about wearing them for years! Just call me vain!!!
I am looking forward to living life to the fullest! Spending time with Hubby, Mandy and Savannah! I haven’t seen my girls in a few weeks now and I sure miss them!

So you see, I have so much life to live and things to be grateful for. Right now it is just getting through the next week and I bet I will be good as new!

Green Grass

Friday found spring coming to New Hampshire. Temperatures soared into the 70’s and the sun shined down upon us!

Hubby has gotten the garden fertilized and also plowed the soil. I decided that despite the surgery I will still plant a garden! We will pick up our starter soil either today or tomorrow.

Once I am home from the hospital I will have Hubby set me up with a table, chairs, the soil, planters and seeds and I will get my plants going. As long as I have the plants going by the end of the month I’ll be okay.

So I went to bed last night and shortly after I did the rain began to fall and we had our first thunder storm. I lay there listening to the rain, thinking how nice it sounded after a winter of snow.

When I got up on Saturday morning, I looked outside and our previously winter brown grass had turned green! Yes, spring is here!

After watching nearly nonstop TV coverage of the terrorism suspects, on Saturday I used streaming TV to watch Anthony Bourdain’s “No Reservations” and “Love it or List It”. I simply need to get away from all the distressing news.

So, life is settling in to it’s usual pattern, and Hubby and I are enjoying the first hours of spring.

I Got A Friend

I was sitting here today, thinking about the weeks to come. The surgery, the recovery, and how my nose might look. As I sat in silence, I looked down, and this is what I saw:

No matter how I feel, or what I am thinking, Anneliese is always by my side. She loves me, snuggles with me, and with her I know, I am never alone.

It started when she was really young. I think she was about 6 weeks old when I fell in love with her and she with me.

I mean, look at that face! How could you not fall in love with her?

As the years have passed, this little dog has learned to cuddle and comfort me, always be by my side, and despite the fact that she can be a real mischief, she is also as gentle as can be.

And now, as I near my surgery, Anneliese has literally glued herself to my side. She truly lets me know, that no matter what, I have a friend!

Hope

A month ago when I saw myself after my initial plastic surgery, I was convinced I would be forever deformed. Looking at the swollen face, the draining incisions was not an easy thing to do on a day to day basis.

But then today, I looked at the pictures I’d taken and I noticed that I look so much better!

The picture on the left was taken the day of my first plastic surgery. The picture on the right was taken today, a month later.

Seeing the improvement made me feel so happy! I actually feel like I have a chance of getting my face back!

I have hope! Yes, HOPE!!!

Preparing

I’m going to forgo the usual thirteen this week and just kind of ramble. Hubby and I are working hard to prepare for next week. What this means is stocking up on foods and drinks, getting all the laundry done, including sheets, and dog beds.

I’m going to have Hubby do the vacuuming while I dust, and then on Sunday I will wash down all three bathrooms.

I know that after the next surgery there will be a period of lying around and allowing my nose and face to heal.

You know I have had nightmares about moving around in my sleep and waking up to find my nose on my cheek!

Up until today I could hardly wait for the surgery to come about. Now that it will happen in a few days, I am starting to get a little nervous.

You see, I want to be attractive. I don’t want my nose to look like Michael Jackson. I want to have my old nose back! And I know that this is not going to happen. I’ll have a nose. A new nose. But it will not be the nose I have always known.

I sort of slapped myself today and reminded myself that I should be grateful for what I do have and stop whining. Look at what the Boston victims are going through. Yes, I have far less to complain about!

The next few weeks will be a challenge for both Hubby and me, but I know we’ll get through it. I just hope that after all of this, the rest of 2013 will be uneventful.

Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. April 15th is the deadline for Americans to file their state and federal income tax returns. What’s a job you do on a regular basis that could be described as ‘taxing’?

Cleaning the house. Especially vacuuming. You see, the dackels hate the vacuum and they bark, and chase me and it is a pain!

2. I’m participating in the April A-Z blog challenge, and the Hodgepodge happens to fall on Day O this week. In keeping with that theme…olives, onions, oysters, okra…of the foods mentioned, what’s your favorite O food?

Onion Rings! Oh, I just love good onion rings!

3. What is something memorable you experienced as a child that your own children (or future children/nieces/nephews) will not get to experience?

Playing outside free and wild, on our street. No one watching, climbing trees and playing in the dirt until I heard my Mom ring the dinner bell. You simply cannot do that these days. There too many sick people out there that will, for no good reason, hurt children.

4. Term limits for our elected officials…your thoughts?

Yes, yes, and yes! I think we as a country would be better off if we got rid of career politicians.

5. On April 18th, 1775, Paul Revere made his famous ‘midnight ride’…when did you last make a midnight ride? Perhaps the fate of a nation wasn’t hanging in the balance, but tell us where you were headed anyway.

You know, I’m such an old fart now, that I don’t go out after dark too often. Certainly by midnight, I am in bed sound asleep.

6. What would freak you out more…a mouse running across your floor or a big fat hairy spider?

Mouse. Here is a true story from when Hubby and I were first married. I moved in to his old farm house and we had an indoor shed where we kept the trash until trash day to avoid the bears. I walked out in my bathrobe and slippers to bring out the trash and I stepped on something that went crunch! I jumped back, saw a mouse and screamed! A friend of Hubby’s and our old white shepherd, Rex came running and when they surveyed the situation, they both looked at me as if I was a total moron. But alive or dead, I hate mice!!!

7. I love it when people ask me if I am Hubby’s daughter! It doesn’t happen as often as it did when we were first married, but I always loved that. He, of course, did not!

8. Insert your own random thought here.

I am just sick about what happened at the Boston Marathon. There are to words to describe how I feel. I hope they catch the people who did this quickly.

Back To Life

It’s a sad day when one starts out having to pray for the innocent people who suffered and the two who died during yesterday’s bombing at the Boston Marathon. I lived outside of Boston for a few years, so I am really familiar with the area. Two of my eye surgeries were done at Tufts New England Medical Center, where they brought some of the injured.

One of those killed was an eight year old child. Out to watch the race with family. Now life, cut short. Heart breakingly short.

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Getting back to the struggles of my usual life after the warm and wonderful wedding is like being slapped by a cold fish.

When we arrived home on Saturday night, I raced to my laptop to download pictures from my camera, so I could send them to my sister.

But when I turned things on…nothing. By this I mean that we had no Internet service. Now, our router is dying and will be replaced soon, but this was different. Me, and every other Metrocast subscriber had no service. It seems some drunk, on their way home from a bar, had hit a phone pole and taken down all the wires, and my Internet service!

Now, I am as sympathetic as any other person will be when some one has an accident, just not a drunk driving accident, and I am equally unsympathetic when said drunk driving accident interrupts my Internet service!

An hour later, service is restored and my pictures are quickly uploaded to Facebook, where my entire family can enjoy them.

On Sunday night I fell asleep early and was in a deep REM sleep dreaming when I moved my arms around and smacked myself in the nose. Needless to say I woke up instantly and have been in pain ever since.

I can, however, happily report that my nose graft looks very healthy and pink. I think the skin is actually firmly rooted on my nose and growing there

As I mentioned, the router is dying, and on Monday I had to have my service provider help me revive it, yet again. I am hopeful that the new one I ordered will arrive within a week and then my cousin will come up with his girlfriend for a weekend of visiting, computers and cooking.

Hubby and I have decided that tomorrow will be shopping day. We will go and stock up for the next few weeks. After all, a week from today I have the next part of my surgery and become a normal looking person again!

Yay! Just one more week!!!