If you are not comfortable reading about 'girly' medical issues, click the 'back' button now!
As I had previously posted, since running my first half marathon, I have been somewhat of a slacker, but was beginning to get back into my groove. I love cold-weather running; the winter temperatures are refreshing. Yes, I get chilled when finishing a run because of the layer of sweat in combination with the cold air, but there is nothing like a nice hot shower to warm up! I have been determined to build back up my mileage as well as my speed. God had a different plan for me!
I went to see a doctor last week, and will be scheduled for a hysterectomy. It seems that giving birth to three children, and middle age, is causing my uterus to drop. A lot. My family doctor had told me that it had dropped substantially in the past year, and shortly after I began to experience some pretty uncomfortable pressure. Frankly, I felt like my insides were falling out! She referred me to a gyno. Because my mother had had a hysterectomy at the age of 41, this really came as no surprise. The first day of my Christmas break, my sister and mother accompanied me to my appointment.
After the exam, the doctor told me my options, and the one that made the most sense and would have the most permanent results was a hysterectomy. (another option was to be fitted for a 'device' that is worn inside and holds things in place - gross!!!!) Of course, one of my first questions was how long I would not be able to run. Her answer: 6 weeks. I can't even walk for exercise for 4 weeks! Immediately I had visions of being at home alone for over a month, and spending my time grazing in the kitchen. I had already gained about 5 pounds in the past couple of months, so the thought of gaining even more sickened me. It took some time for me to process everything. I have never had surgery, a broken bone, or been hospitalized except for when I had my daughters. This would not be fun!
I came home, and I began to read. I found a downloadable book - something like 'Have a Happy Hysterectomy'! Is that really possible? They are taking an organ out of me! Though the title is hokie, I did find some useful information. The most useful for me was that I needed to be in the best possible physical shape before surgery because that will enable me to have an easier recovery. That actually went against what I was thinking, which went something like this...well, why run now? I am not going to be able to run for 6 weeks, and will practically have to start all over anyway, so I might as well just sit on my butt until surgery. After reading about how to make this a 'happy' experience, I decided I needed to rethink my tactics. I want to heal fast, and I want to heal completely. I am going to do everything I can to make this happen.
I do not yet know the date for surgery. Because I run, my doctor wants me to have a test on my bladder so that if I need any repair work, it can be done at the same time. She said that it didn't appear that I would need it, but this test would give her a better look. As for the test, it sounds humiliating. I won't go into detail, but somehow they are going to try out different scenarios to see if I leak urine. Yikes! What if I do? Once this test is completed, the date for surgery will be set.
And so I begin to train - for my hysterectomy! It was about 19 degrees this morning, but I got out and ran 4 miles. Tomorrow morning will be just as cold, but I am going to meet my niece for a run. I have told my running buddies that I want them to make me run with them. No whining! My daughter got me a Tervis Tumbler for Christmas that has '13.1' on one side and 'Mom' on the other (in honor of my completing my first half marathon in October). I will take that to the hospital so that when I am feeling weak, I can drink from my cup and know that I am strong! I am a runner.
My husband is going to be training for an April 30 marathon. I would like to be able to run the half marathon that day, but it will all depend upon when my surgery takes place. Somehow training for surgery doesn't seem as fun as training for a big race, but I bet the results will be just as satisfying!
Of course, once the decision for surgery was made, I wanted it done - now! It would be much more convenient to get this taken care of in the winter. If my life is going to be put on hold for 6 weeks, I prefer that it be when the weather is crappy and staying indoors isn't such a sacrifice. I am, however, at their mercy. This gives me time to get into better shape, and to prepare my third graders for a long-term sub. I must say, leaving my students is much the same as leaving my children with a babysitter. No matter how good and how reliable, she isn't me. I know my students and their needs; I know who needs extra hugs, and who needs to be reminded to complete their work. I love them. I also want to get my house ready. I need to have a big stack of books to read, and plenty of yarn so that I can crochet. And I will have my computer nearby. All junk food will be removed before surgery and low-cal snacks will be hauled in by the truckload (I guess that low-cal serves no purpose if I devour them by the box!). Thank goodness that I have a super husband. I know that he will be there every step of the way.
As I train for this unwanted, but necessary, challenge, I will work hard. I wll train as if I am training for a half marathon. I will remain positive, in spite of the discomfort that I know I will experience. I will rely upon educating myself, my family, and proper preparation/training. I will run again! And, friends, I will never have to look at the calendar to see if I will be on my period at race time! Or if I will start in the middle of vacation. Ahhh...there's the up side!
Monday, December 27, 2010
Monday, December 13, 2010
The Christmas Gift
Christmas gifts come in all shapes, sizes, and costs. Many Americans spend a great deal of time and money to choose the perfect gifts for those we love. My husband and I don't shop with our children much throughout the year, and we don't buy them new clothes unless they need something, so at Christmas we tend to try to make up for that. We have been very fortunate to be able to buy what they want - within reason. We are practical, so we don't just buy anything that they want, but we try to honor reasonable requests. Over the years we have purchased and received a wide variety of gifts for Christmas. For me, one gift will always stand out.
Several years ago, I would guess 15, I received a surprise for Christmas. To most gift recipients, that might not be unusual, but because I have always been a 'snooper' (my brother taught me this skill at a young age - probably so that I wouldn't tell on him for snooping!), so surprises at Christmas have been rare. I have been known to sink as low as to tricking my girls into telling me what they bought or made me. I know, it's bad. When I was a teenager, my mother thought she had outsmarted me when she locked my gifts in her cedar chest. I knew where the key was. I am also skilled at unwrapping the end of a box and looking inside, and rewrapping it so that no one is the wiser. Is there a support group for this?
So, who actually surprised me? My grandmother! Both of my grandmothers were excellent cooks, a trait that I failed to inherit. My Grandma Greenland wrote few of her recipes down, and when she did, she seemed to forget to write down all of the necessary ingredients. Grandma Allen wrote them down. And she surprised eight out of her nine grandchildren with her compilation. The ninth was involved in her plan. Grandma spent a year writing out her recipes, and sending them to my cousin Mike in Chicago. He typed out all of the recipes, and then bound them into a cookbook. None of us had any idea that Grandma and Mike were working on an elaborate project for the grandkids. That Christmas I received the best present that I have ever received, and each year it becomes more valuable. This gift had no monetary value, yet it is priceless.
Grandma died eight years ago. Each holiday I pull out Grandma's cookbook. I haven't made everything in the book; I have my favorites. Using this cookbook as I am baking reminds me of the time I spent enjoying Grandma's treats. My favorite, and the favorite of most of my cousins, is eclairs. I learned to make them several years ago, and I make them for most holidays and any other important gathering. One year I tried to alter the recipe, but my daughters quickly scolded me for changing things up. My other favorite is peanut blossoms - peanut butter cookies with Hershey Kisses on top. I know that I can find the recipe for these cookies in most any cookbook, but using Grandma's cookbook makes baking those cookies special. I think of her every time I use her book. I wouldn't sell my book for any amount of money. Every so often I have a 'when I die' conversation with my kids. Picture their eyes rolling! I want to let them know what items in our home they need to keep should something happen to me. Grandma's cookbook is on that list. I hope that the book can hold up so that my girls can use it when baking with their children.
I have found that the things I value most are those that were given out of love. I have quilts and afghans from my grandmothers, furniture made by my great-grandfather, a table made by my father-in-law, and many other antiques passed down from both my family and my husband's family. None of it would bring a high price at auction, but we would sell none of it. Our hope is that our children will also find value in family heirlooms. I hope that I can give meaningful gifts to our children and grandchildren. My grandma never had much money. She made her own clothes, saved greeting cards for us to play with at her home, never owned a home, and remained very frugal throughout her life. Despite all of that, she gave us the most valueable gift that I have ever received: she took the time to pass down recipes that sustained her and her family. She put her love, knowledge, and even humor into this project. Thanks, Gram! You gave me a gift that I will always treasure - and taught me that a gift's value isn't in how much is spent, but in how much thought and love goes into it!
Merry Christmas, Friends!
Several years ago, I would guess 15, I received a surprise for Christmas. To most gift recipients, that might not be unusual, but because I have always been a 'snooper' (my brother taught me this skill at a young age - probably so that I wouldn't tell on him for snooping!), so surprises at Christmas have been rare. I have been known to sink as low as to tricking my girls into telling me what they bought or made me. I know, it's bad. When I was a teenager, my mother thought she had outsmarted me when she locked my gifts in her cedar chest. I knew where the key was. I am also skilled at unwrapping the end of a box and looking inside, and rewrapping it so that no one is the wiser. Is there a support group for this?
So, who actually surprised me? My grandmother! Both of my grandmothers were excellent cooks, a trait that I failed to inherit. My Grandma Greenland wrote few of her recipes down, and when she did, she seemed to forget to write down all of the necessary ingredients. Grandma Allen wrote them down. And she surprised eight out of her nine grandchildren with her compilation. The ninth was involved in her plan. Grandma spent a year writing out her recipes, and sending them to my cousin Mike in Chicago. He typed out all of the recipes, and then bound them into a cookbook. None of us had any idea that Grandma and Mike were working on an elaborate project for the grandkids. That Christmas I received the best present that I have ever received, and each year it becomes more valuable. This gift had no monetary value, yet it is priceless.
Grandma died eight years ago. Each holiday I pull out Grandma's cookbook. I haven't made everything in the book; I have my favorites. Using this cookbook as I am baking reminds me of the time I spent enjoying Grandma's treats. My favorite, and the favorite of most of my cousins, is eclairs. I learned to make them several years ago, and I make them for most holidays and any other important gathering. One year I tried to alter the recipe, but my daughters quickly scolded me for changing things up. My other favorite is peanut blossoms - peanut butter cookies with Hershey Kisses on top. I know that I can find the recipe for these cookies in most any cookbook, but using Grandma's cookbook makes baking those cookies special. I think of her every time I use her book. I wouldn't sell my book for any amount of money. Every so often I have a 'when I die' conversation with my kids. Picture their eyes rolling! I want to let them know what items in our home they need to keep should something happen to me. Grandma's cookbook is on that list. I hope that the book can hold up so that my girls can use it when baking with their children.
I have found that the things I value most are those that were given out of love. I have quilts and afghans from my grandmothers, furniture made by my great-grandfather, a table made by my father-in-law, and many other antiques passed down from both my family and my husband's family. None of it would bring a high price at auction, but we would sell none of it. Our hope is that our children will also find value in family heirlooms. I hope that I can give meaningful gifts to our children and grandchildren. My grandma never had much money. She made her own clothes, saved greeting cards for us to play with at her home, never owned a home, and remained very frugal throughout her life. Despite all of that, she gave us the most valueable gift that I have ever received: she took the time to pass down recipes that sustained her and her family. She put her love, knowledge, and even humor into this project. Thanks, Gram! You gave me a gift that I will always treasure - and taught me that a gift's value isn't in how much is spent, but in how much thought and love goes into it!
Merry Christmas, Friends!
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