We hosted a pool party at our place for Hubby’s niece today. She just turned 11, only her second birthday in double-digits. Ah, to be young and carefree…

Hubby’s back surgery is healing nicely and his recovery is on track. However, much to Hubby’s dismay, his neurosurgeon mandated another two weeks of downtime. No work, no lifting, no chores (lucky him), and only moderate walking. Being the active guy that he is, Hubby has difficulty doing “nothing.”

Last night, I had the worst pelvic cramps of my entire life. I believe I have a pretty decent tolerance for pain, but it was nearly unbearable. It was the kind of pain that made me contemplate a trip to the ER. I was doubled-over with a heating pad on my lower abdomen, waiting for the Alleve to kick in. I decided to take a hot shower in the meantime. By the time I was done, the pain had subsided. The worst of it probably lasted about 30-40 minutes.

I suspect that the cramps are a result of the endometriosis. I just hope that it’s not getting worse and that somehow children will be in our future, despite my uncooperative innards. How wonderful it would be to throw a birthday party for a child of our own. It seems like a distant dream. I wonder if it is in God’s plan for us.

On the flip side: Hubby’s back surgery (and waiting on the results of another test he just took) is making me cherish the undisturbed “together time” that we share. If it were to be just us for the rest of our lives, I would be content. I am praying for Hubby’s complete recovery and continued health and strength. He is truly my “other half” and it pains me when he’s not feeling 100%.

Tanjoubi omedetou, Obaachan!

Tonight, we celebrated Hubby’s grandma’s 90th birthday. Ninety and still as strong as ever. Grandma likes to give those strong, back-slapping hugs. It still stings. It made me chuckle when I saw Hubby instinctively covering the incision site on his back when he hugged Grandma tonight. He knew that if she slapped him there, he would be in a world of pain.

When she grasps my hands tightly as she talks to me, I am reminded of the many trials she endured and how she has always prevailed. She is to be admired. Happy birthday, Grandma.

Hubby gazes into the distance at Laupahoehoe (Big Island)

I had never seen him in such pain: the kind of pain that brings you to your knees and brings tears to your eyes.

With numbness and shooting pain in his leg, in addition to the excruciating back pain, the doctor diagnosed him with a pinched nerve. The MRI indicated that he actually had 2 herniated discs and the two words that Hubby hoped never to hear: “back surgery” fell from his doctor’s lips like a ton of bricks.

He was admitted on Wednesday for the first surgery of his life. Sitting in the waiting room to be called seemed like an eternity, watching the breaking news coverage on the arrest of the JonBenet Ramsey murder suspect on CNN. When his name finally came up, they escorted him in and made me wait outside while they got him changed and hooked up to the IV.

Hubby donned a hospital gown, complete with paper shower cap and booties and I stood by and watched as they prepared him for the procedure. I gave him a quick kiss, said “I love you” and watched as they rolled his gurney to the OR. As I caught his glance and he gave me a grin, tears immediately started flowing down my cheeks. I grinned like a goof, waved and turned away. I was so disappointed in myself because I had so wanted to give him a brave face, a bright smile, and a strong aura of confidence. Instead, the last image he had before heading off to the OR was my tear-stained face. Good job, Donna, you big wuss.

Instead of driving all the way home, I opted to stay in town and wait for Hubby. I went to Ala Moana, had lunch at 2:30 at Shirokiya and walked aimlessly around the mall for 3-1/2 hours. Honestly, I don’t enjoy my own company and rarely go out by myself, so cruising the mall for an extended period of time like that was a first for me. Honestly, it was quite nice. When my cell phone rang at 6 pm, I was relieved to hear the surgeon’s voice telling me that the surgery went well and that Hubby was doing just fine.

I sat in the empty hospital room that they had prepared for him. About 10 minutes later, they wheeled him in. Obviously still feeling the effects of the anesthesia, he asked me, “where am I? Did they do the surgery yet?”

Those were the same post-op thoughts that I had following my tonsillectomy. It took a couple of hours for the anesthesia to wear off, but I was so glad that he was doing well.

Later that evening, Hubby was walking around, albeit very slowly, but walking nonetheless. I didn’t realize how much back surgery has progressed. I had always thought of back surgery as a very iffy procedure with a lengthy recovery period, rendering the patient bedridden for weeks. I never expected that Hubby would be on his feet in a matter of hours. The miracles of modern medicine!

Hubby is still in quite a bit of pain and trying to refrain from taking the Percocet because he doesn’t like the sedated feeling. It’s still difficult for me to see him in such pain, but I am confident that the back surgery will help him in the long run. If you are so inclined, I would certainly appreciate your prayers for Hubby as he is on the road to recovery.

iTuned to: “Seabird” by Olomana

196 eggs posted on Flickr

8 kids. 196 eggs. A ton of fun.

Mom is 74 today.

We celebrated her birthday at Makino Chaya where she was treated to a free dinner. Dad drank half of the 40 oz. bottle of Budweiser that he ordered. Hubby ate a lot less than I thought he would. I discovered the chocolate fountain. It was a good evening spent with the family.

Happy birthday, Mom. I cherish these moments and pray that we have many more of them to enjoy together.

Spidey

Originally uploaded by Champuru.

Tonight we celebrated the birthdays of two of Hubby’s nephews: Ryan and Linkin. It’s hard to believe that Ryan is already 19 — and Linkin is now 3 years old! You can certainly see the passage of time when you stop to notice how quickly the kids have grown, right before your eyes.

Ryan was only 5 years old when Hubby and I started dating. Now he’s a young man!

I guess we better start thinking about trying to have kids soon — at least before Linkin turns 19! Egads.

As a side note, I love this photo of Linkin. Clad in his Spidey suit, muscles included, his face became serious as if telling us that he would not take his superhero duties lightly. At 3, he understands “with great power comes great responsibility.”

When did Halloween costumes get to be so elaborate? Complete with muscles and sound effect-emitting gloves, he makes a very convincing Spider-man. Heck, when I was a kid I had a plastic mask that made me feel like I was suffocating and an ill-fitting, glorified garbage bag to wear for Trick-or-Treating. (The only costume that I actually remember was “Woody Woodpecker.”) My, how times have changed.