In Recovery

It has been three days since my surgery and all I can say is that it's been baby steps towards recovery. Opening any part of the body is painful and causes supreme discomfort after the fact. My incision was made on my abdomen-a place that is required for virtually any sort of movement.

Basically, this surgery is quite similar to a cesarean section. A bikini cut is made along the abdomen and the fibroid is removed. My fibroid was 12 cm in diameter, and my best girl, who waited throughout the surgery with Scott, reminded me that it's comparable to the size of a baby's head at birth. Good lord I can't even imagine the shoulders. My doctor was surprised at it's final size, as its been growing at a considerable rate the past three years.

My procedure took about an hour and a half, and I stayed in the hospital for one night. I woke up with no appetite, even though I had not eaten in nearly 15 hours-nor had anything to drink, but I was extremely parched and was allowed to chew ice cubes.

About 4 a.m. Tuesday morning, I needed to move around to alleviate pressure that had built up inside me and had the worst dizzy spell I've ever experienced. Standing up for 30 seconds was as much as I could handle before my head went spinning, my ears closed up, and nausea overwhelmed me. A few hours later, a lovely nurse took me for the shortest, albeit felt like the longest, walk down the hall. It was extremely painful, as I felt like my organs were moving around and mixing up in my stomach, let alone the tender spot that shot shooting pains when I sat up and down. Scott returned around lunch time and took me on several walks as well, each a little easier than the last. With my progress Tuesday, my doctor felt I could go home, and I could not wait to get in my own bed.

I have always had the greatest respect for moms who deliver not only once, but multiple times. As I mentioned previously, this procedure is comparable to a c-section, and I have NO idea how I would be able to recover AND have a child to look after. I can barely deal with the cat let alone getting up and down to care for a child. I know they make it work, but wow. Women-you are amazing.

Food has been another obstacle in the past few days. I was allowed the ever popular Jello around 11 p.m. on Monday night, which was heaven sent as I still was only chewing ice cubes. I was able to have another cup that morning, accompanied by rice cereal and yogurt. Truly, I had no appetite though. Perhaps from the anesthesia, perhaps because my organs were moved around, I am not totally sure. I was offered a full lunch that I barely took a few bites of, and same for dinner. Since being home, it's been pretty much toast, tea, cereal, and soup. I am hoping my appetite will increase so that everything starts functioning properly again, but also trying not to stress over it as well.

Scott took some time off to be with me while I was in the hospital this week. He has been such a great caretaker, I can't even begin to thank him enough. For better or worse, in sickness and in health, has rang so true. I am so thankful to have him by my side, full of jokes when I need them, and an arm to help me around as well.

75% of women walk around with fibroids, unnoticed. Unless they cause problems, there is really no reason for concern. I needed to have mine removed because of complicating issues. If anyone who might read this has further questions about the procedure, I would be happy to answer them. It certainly is a lot more informative than 5-year-old forum boards and a doctor's second hand view.

Question of the Day

When are you too old to shop in the juniors section? The "misses" section a misnomer as it's more like 50-year-old Mrs. I know age is nothing but a number, but I refuse to be a mother someday wearing graphic tees that read "Spoiled Brat." Glamour don't then and glamour don't for 12-year-olds in my book.

Perhaps it's about the actual store and less the department. For example, when I shop Nordstrom.com, I always enter the juniors tab. However, I am realizing how much that is geared toward the teenager with the mini dresses, leggings, and Twilight marketing (well, that can really go for women of any age...). TBD has super cute items but it's about a 30% hike in price as well.

Urban Outfitters offers a niche style, truly, with the exception of a great few finds, they offer a style I don't think I'm cool enough to wear, though very much designed for the 20something. J Crew has to.die.for items but frankly I can only justify spending if it's on sale...like, final sale and again for my age group. Same goes Anthropologie; the sophisticated yet still somewhat quirkly big sister to UO. However Anthro, you need to have a blowout sale because otherwise I just fill up my website shopping cart with high hopes and wishful thinking.

So what is a girl to do? Well I will always love that fine French store, Tarjay, where sections are more like a venn diagram, as well as little boutiques and online stores such as ModCloth and Ruche-eclectic, fun, and enough coupon codes I can justify spending a few bucks on the items and assured I won't end up a "spoiled brat."

Myomectomy Monday

Now that everyone through my work knows my surgical procedure today, I figure I'll share it here too.

Depending on how it goes, I may blog about it after as I always find it helpful to have patient experiences when researching various issues. Perhaps it may be helpful for you or a friend, as its fairly common but also qualifies in the somewhat awkward category of woman issues.

I know I am in good hands for this rather routine procedure. The nurse that I spoke to for my pre-op was a riot and the hospital I will be at has a world class reputation. And even a gourmet chef. How 'bout them apples?!

Sunday Confessions

I love the movie Armageddon. There, I said it.

Fromage, Queso, Cheese, Heaven

Fall is here and thus is my favorite weekend lunch or dinner too-tomato basil soup and grilled cheese sandwiches. Kelly at Part of Life is Having a Good Ponytail recently posted about this as well-it is such a beloved meal.

It has got me thinking, as I have had my fair share of probably hundreds of grilled cheese sandwiches in my life, of what is the best cheese?

Cheddar is too sharp for me. I hate to think my taste buds are changing because I do love a good slice on its own. However I did not care for it so much in the grilled cheese sliced-perhaps it was too thick and a shredded variety would have been better.

I have to be in the mood for Kraft/American cheese singles. They are strictly designed for grilled cheeses and a favorite childhood memory of a classic sandwich.

Truth be told, I am such a nut for mozzarella, most of my grilled cheeses have been of the Caprese variety lately-sliced mozzarella, tomato, and fresh basil, which I make panini style in my panini press (thanks mom!) Sidenote-those things are a B to clean but so worth it for the panini.

So what is your favorite fromage for a grilled cheese sandwich? Gruyere? Four cheese shredded blends? I love a good recommendation!

Park Avenue Properties

Scott and I played Monopoly last night, a classic edition gifted by the lovely Traci for his birthday this year. Playing this game makes me realize how little I know about home ownership, and how much it would really work out to live in an era when rent was $40 on Park Place. Seriously? I know, it's all relative, but a girl can dream.

A very dear friend has been in the home buying process for a while now and I am just in awe of everything. I know that my coveted House Hunters and My First Place only show the glamorous side of things, not the frustration, tears, and filing cabinets full of paperwork. Just the thought of that makes me grimace.

If only it were as simple as passing go and collecting a steady paycheck with occasional tax refunds of $20 that cover 3 months rent on Mediterranean Avenue with a property big enough for twins in the game of LIFE.

Fanatics

This time of year, football is gearing up both professionally and with Friday night lights at local stadiums. That sport has one of the most dedicated followings, however, just not my cuppa.

More importantly in MY life these days are the baseball playoffs and I could not be happier that the Los Angeles Dodgers have made it to the National League playoffs. Seriously, they did SO well this year, their hard work should be rewarded.

Currently they are down 3-1 in the series against the Phillies. I don't like to trash talk publicly, but they ROBBED the boys in blue last night. Bad calls by the home plate umpire combined with not the best relief pitching from Broxton made for an epic ending for Philly fans last night, in what would have been a Dodger win. Bottom of the 9th, two outs and Jimmy Rollins hits a great one scoring two runs, who were on base from a walk and being hit by a pitch. Oy vey Broxton.

Call me a sentimentally emotional fan, but I love rooting for players that deserve it. If I am not a fan of another team or its players I simply sit quietly. To me, the adage "if you have nothing nice to say don't say anything at all" rings true in stadiums as well as every day life. We all have our favorite and of course there is rivalry among teams and fun-loving ragging, but some fans are seriously just fanatical yelling at people who don't deserve it, just because they happen to be a great player. Obviously I am speaking of Mr. Ramirez who is NOT my favorite member of the team, but a contributor nevertheless.

Anyway, crazy fans, fair weather fans, I have had enough of you. The playoffs and World Series means a lot to us who watch the games every night of the week, clenching our pillows to our faces and silent cheers (out of respect for others) while running the treadmill in the gym. Don't take Bon Jovi's theme song and jump on the local team train.

With that off my chest, let me give you a few reasons why the Dodgers are simply amazing:

1. They have an authentic park. No waterfalls, ringing bells, or whistles for that matter. It's a stadium with seats, hot dogs, and MannyWood.

2. There are no mascots besides the fans wearing royal blue and lots of it. No nearly homo-sapiens that jump around, green beastly monsters, or anything of the sort.

3. Vin Scully. The most informed, unbiased, and lover of baseball that is out there. He is so good he could BE this list.

Ok, so I trash talk a little. GO DODGERS!