1 1/2 Week post-op served with a side of gratitude

My recovery is going well and I'm improving a little everyday. At first I was really sore especially on my left side. The incision on that side is bigger and the doctor had to cut through my abdominal muscles to get the tumor out. I was fine as long as I sat still and didn't move. If I had to cough, sneeze, or laugh I was in excruciating pain. I tried to avoid these things, but made a mistake by watching a few episodes of Pysch.

After a few days of prescription pain meds I switched to Alieve. I hate the way pain meds make me feel, so I try not to take them. The Alieve has worked okay. I still feel a little sore, but on the pain meds I'm loopy and feel crummy overall. I'm hoping by the end of this week to stop taking the Alieve too.

I have been fortunate to have lots of help. My mom has been with me most of the time when Rich was working. I don't think I could of managed Ava without her help. I can't pick her up or play with her as much as I usually do, so my mom has stepped in to fill my shoes. Ava has loved having her Nona around and was definitely a little more spoiled this week.

I also had a lot of help and support from Rich. He did whatever I needed and asked him to do. For the first week he put my socks on because I couldn't bend over that far. He has also been great with Ava and making sure he spends extra time with her. I appreciate all Rich has done and is doing for our family. He is a wonderful husband and father, but I didn't need this experience to tell me that.

This next week I will be more on my own. I feel good about it, but will still take it slow. I'm not suppose to lift Ava for another week, so I will try to be good. I'm being creative to help. We borrowed a small step stool, so I can help Ava climb into her chair at the table. Ava has also become a better climber during this experience and is a little more independent (I'm not sure if that is good or bad). I hope to be able to play with Ava much more this week and begin to get back to our usually routine.

As for the future we have a plan. We discussed my options with Dr. Bob and decided to start by taking birth control pills. This should help reduce the pain and symptoms associated with my endometriosis. It should also stop the endometriosis from growing and spreading further. This is the best way to start and then we will see what happens.

I am grateful for this treatment plan. I have to admit one of my biggest concerns was taking a medicine called Lupron which would send me into a temporary menopause. I did not look forward to experiencing all the symptoms of menopause at the age of 33.

After discussing it with my doctor we decided this wasn't the right path for us. This medicine is mainly used to help fertility which doesn't apply to us. I now only have one ovary and the fallopian tube is messed up from the endometriosis, so it would take a miracle or invetro for me to get pregnant. Since Rich and I have struggle with fertility for so long we have already made some important decisions through prayer and thoughtful counsel with each other. We feel adoption is the right path for us and this experience just further confirms that decision.

I know this is going to sound weird, but I am grateful for this trial. I don't mean that I have enjoyed the physical or emotional pain I've gone through over the years, but I am grateful for what I have learned and gained. I have developed a much stronger testimony and closer relationship with my Savior through my struggles. I also think I have a stronger relationship and greater appreciation for Rich. And most importantly I have Ava who I love more than words can express. I would gladly go through all my trials again just to know I would end up being sealed to my sweet little girl and loving husband for time and all eternity.