Three More Days, and Counting!

As the pictures will show most effectively, I've literally had a "ball and chain" in my arm that is soon coming out (WOO-HOO). After my nightly injection tonight, I'll only have three more days of antibiotics to go and then the pic line is coming out. The in-home nursing team came today to change my bandage and I went ahead and scheduled the removal of my IV for Thursday morning after the last dose of medicine.

To say that I'm ecstatic over the prospects of getting the IV out is a gross understatement. This past weekend, at its worst, I had an emotional meltdown of sorts when Pumpkin was crying and I had to stand back while DH went to sooth her. That night, due in large part to my dreary thoughts I'm sure, I dreamt that I'd gone to China and she was taken from me in a busy market and I spent the rest of my dream trying to get her back from another family!

I cannot lift more than five pounds with my IV, so it's been about 10-plus days since I could safely pick my daughter up, let alone give her my Mommy hugs. I am grateful beyond words at the endless support my DH and MIL have provided for me on every possible level. I just have grown tired of being a one-armed-woman with limited abilities to play with my baby girl.

Thankfully, I'm winding down the days and tomorrow I'll see my Urologist to hopefully schedule the last step of my healing process which is the removal of kidney stones. With any luck, by the end of this week I'll be completely done with the whole recovery process, except maybe for some continued antibiotics.

For someone who spent the majority of her life alone and self-reliant, having to accept help without guilt has been horrendous. I can't even bathe myself! In the scheme of medical emergencies, I know I'm lucky that I wasn't worse off than I was, but emotionally this experience has been challenging for sure. What I have learned throughout my last 14 days is that I am loved and that I've married into a wonderful family that has prayed over me with the deepest sincerity and concern. I've also learned that as much as I could possibly love my DH for the remarkable man he is, it is not enough. He is above comparison in the wondrous man that he is. He has been my rock and comforter every day and I love him more than anything imaginable. I am blessed to have him in my life, as a partner, friend, soul mate and husband.

So, now I must run to get my nightly injection and enjoy a little time with my family. Tick-tock, tick-tock says my restless heart; a few more days and my arm will be my own again. What a wonderful day in the neighborhood it will be!