I'm Back

I’m back!!!! But oh, the misery I’ve endured!!!  My last week was pretty rotten.  Last Wednesday I woke up with a gigantic bump between my eyes and my left eye swollen shut and red. (They tell me it is some sort of insect bite that I had some sort of reaction to). Oh how ugly!!!!  I rushed to the doctor’s office and she prescribed some wretched antibiotic which I ended up being allergic to.  I spent the next 5 days erupting like a volcano into the toilet from my deepest crevices. Just when I didn’t think I could appear any uglier, Thursday morning I woke up to both eyes swollen shut, my entire face was red and disfigured and I had the most incredible pressure headache.  Actually, “pressure headache” does not adequately describe the pain.  Picture eating ice cream too quickly and getting a “brain freeze.”  Yep, I had a brain freeze headache for 5 days straight.  If that wasn’t enough, I had a fever, chills, body aches and felt very weak.   

 PLUS!!  Since I couldn’t see, I could not even read or write all that time either. What could be worse than 5 days off work and I can't even read or write?!!  All I had to do was think about how sorry for myself I was.  I thought about how much I miss my sweet Brandon and what a bum deal it is that he’s gone.  By the way, a little side note: I’ve learned that it is really a bad idea when you are very sad and grieving to ever retreat anywhere alone.  It is a very unsafe place to be because the devil really has a hay day with people who are grieving if they are all alone. He really likes your conditions to be dark, lonely and desperate and then he kicks you around and makes you feel even worse than you were before.  It really can lead to depression if you are not careful.  Just trust me on this one.  Don’t be alone.  “Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble. Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing (I Peter 3:8,9).”

Anyway, my parents were awesome.  They let me call or text them and complain about my misery.  Mom brought me goodies and dad drove the girls home from school and also drove me to the Urgent Care.  My hubby was awesome as well.  He took good care of the girlies and brought me whatever food I felt like even though he knew I’d  more than likely throw it up (which I did).  The girlies, one by one and in their own way, were such an encouragement. 

I have said it before if you want the cold, hard truth about something then ask Katie what she thinks.  If you really want to feel good about yourself, ask Kylie what she thinks.  And if you want some sort of mixture between the cold, hard truth and to feel good about yourself, (depending on her mood), ask Haley!  So, when asked “how do I look?” here are the answers accordingly in no specific order:

Katie: Well, your big red bump definitely looks better than it used to yesterday.  Are you feeling better by the way?  I am REALLY sick of staying in aftercare.  I’m ready for you to drive me again. (I’m glad I’m feeling better so I can drive you around too, Sweetie.)

Kylie: Oh, Mommy, you look SO beautiful.  I have missed your wonderful smile.  How are you feeling?  Can I make you some hot chocolate? Can I do anything else for you?  Here, I folded all the towels for you while you were sleeping.  (You’re officially my favorite child….Do not EVER change!!)

Haley: Boy, Mommy, I have really missed you.  I am so glad you are feeling better.  You could never look ugly, not even with that big red bump on your forehead.  (Thanks, Baby Girl.  I’m so glad I don’t look UGLY with my big GIANT RED! bump). 

So, there you have it.  I’m so thankful for everyone who sent text messages and for those who prayed for my recovery.  I’m not at 100% by any stretch yet.  But like Katie said, “At least I look (and feel) better than I used to yesterday!”