MVP Award

The doctor provided a different pain medicine but said we could only wait and see about the pain. We must wait and see for the next 6 WEEKS! When he said that, my mind flashed to a scene 6 weeks in the future when I will be in rehab for my addiction to pain killers and my new residence would be in a padded room with a special jacket. It was hard to imagine 6 weeks of pain like I had been experiencing, but I have discovered that the new pain med is much more effective than the other. I still have pain, but it is more of a nuisance than anything now. The doctor admitted that there has only been one other man who has come close to the problems I have had, but he awarded me the prize. I guess it’s flattering to be the best at something. I get the MVP award (Most Vasectomy Problems). I’ve noticed that there are no crown or cash prizes with this title. But the gist of the situation seems to be that things should get better and there is no way to diagnose any long-term complications until, well until a long term has gone by. There has been more than one man I know that swears they will never, never, ever, ever, never have this procedure done themselves now that they have heard my story. The real strain in all of this has been around taking care of Macayla. Jennifer really did an amazing job at lining people up to take care of Macayla during the two weeks after surgery. Between Jennifer, her parents, my mom, neighbors, nursing, Macayla’s teacher, and friends, I have been able to go this entire week without having to lift the kids at all and meals have been provided. God provides through all types of people and avenues. What an amazing God and what an amazing wife I have.

The Wisdom of Bob Barker

Bob Barker always ends the Price Is Right gameshow with the sage advice to spay or neuter our pets. As it turns out, we don't have any pets. So, Jenny and I figured I was the next best thing to a pet. I can be messy and at times I shed, but in my defense I have yet to chew up a pair of shoes. Anyway, we decided that I should get a vasectomy. It is hard emotionally to decide not to have children anymore, but we don't want to take the chance of plaguing another child with Batten's Disease. I was more prepared emotionally for the decision than Jennifer. If we decide to bring more children into our family it will be through adoption.
The recovery was described to me by multiple men who had gone before me down this path of sterility. "Oh, man, I maybe took one or two of my pain pills and I was fine after that." Or, "I had mine on Friday and was normal by Monday." My personal favorite, "You'll ONLY feel a tug." I felt a tug alright!! It felt like a tugboat was pulling me off the table!! I almost came off the table and the doctor was worried I was going to grab him. After the procedure at 5:30 on Friday afternoon, Jenny drove me home and as we neared the house, I felt a huge wave of nausea. We pulled into the driveway and I passed out. We assumed this was due to the pain and adrenaline from the LITTLE "tug" I had just felt at the doctor's office. We went inside and I laid down in the bed and watched a movie until about 10:30. I decided to try to use the bathroom before I went to sleep, so I got up to go and took only a few steps when pain shot through my abdomen and nausea swept over me. I turned toward the bed and the next thing I know is there are paramedics in my bedroom.
Jenny explained that I had passed out again and that I had a seizure. I've never had a seizure before. It was midnight before I was truly alert again and then the waves of pain started. It took morphine to ease it off. We left the ER at 7 a.m. with really no answers except that the passing out and seizure could have been caused by a sudden drop in blood pressure. My doctor and the ER doctor both stated that seizures can happen that way. As far as the severe abdominal pain, we have no idea. It is Tuesday and it still hurts. We are going to see the doctor tomorrow to see if he has any ideas. So much for, "I had mine on Friday and was back to normal by Monday." So, we hope to find out what would cause continuous pain in my abdomen accompanied with waves of stabbing pain.
In the meantime, we are so thankful for all of the help we are receiving from Jennifer's parents, friends and neighbors. We couldn't take care of the kids without them. God has moved people to bring us meals unbeknownst to them that our oven also quit working this week. He certainly provides. I do pray He will provide some answers as well.

ER Revisited...Almost

Macayla hit her chin last week and split it open which prompted an ER visit (see below). Last night, she was crawling and I was right there with her and she fell again. It opened up a little bit of the cut again. I put gauze on it and with the use of some bandaids, held it in place under her chin. She soaked the gauze in blood. I replaced it and slowly but surely it became soaked as well. I decided that we would run to the ER since it would not stop bleeding, but Jenny brought home some special glue that would hold Steri-strips in place. (These are just special pieces of tape made to hold skin together.) 24 hours later, the strips seem to be holding in spite of drool, drinking and eating. So, for now, no ER.

Oh Holy Night

By the way, there are some versions of Oh Holy Night that are definitely better than others. Some versions have really captured its essence while others drain it of its meaning. But one of my favorite versions can be heard at the following link. Enjoy!! Oh Holy Night
Might I add, that this link was passed on to me by a pastor who was trained in classical music. It has inspired me to consider music ministry, especially as a solo vocalist. You know it's got to be good if it could get me to sing!! ;)