After the scare of Brad's accident behind us, all we could think about is how thankful and lucky we are to be surrounded by such wonderful family and friends. No better way to celebrate that than with some good times with the family on Thanksgiving!
This year we stayed in Tennessee for Thanksgiving. We had a wonderful lunch at Matthew's grandparents house. It wasn't the entire Hughes crew, but we were thinking about Martin, Fliz, Olie, and Elizabeth. It is always an interesting time over there. Our evening was solely dedicated to my family out at my Aunt Sherry's house. It was just as interesting and just as wonderful. And eventhough it wasn't the entire Oetjen crew, the one's that were not there were in our hearts as well as my mother and all of her family. We couldn't ever thank God enough for all the many blessings that He has given us. Blessings we take for granted each and every day. Something that I am reminded shortly after I downed the last deviled egg and finished up the last traditional game of Pinochole at Thanksgiving.
Later Thanksgiving night, I had a severe case of indigestion (or over eating). As Matthew and Andrew Hughes are watching who knows what on TV, I quietly retreat to the bedroom to go to bed early. No, I was not getting up for early morning shopping. Yes, I realize that it is the long Thanksgiving break. The only thing I really had to do the next day was be at the house for the delivery of my new washer and dryer! But, all I wanted to do was curl up in a ball and sleep.
9a.m. Friday morning the door bell rang. Our washer and dryer was here. In the back of my mind I wanted to be excited, but the only thing I could think about was the terrible pain in my gut and the horrible urge to vomit my internal organs out. I stayed in bed while Matthew and the delivery men set up the appliances. I put a load in to wash, watched in awe for about 2 minutes (I didn't want Matthew to think that I didn't appreciate them) and went back to bed. As I crawled into bed, Matthew crawled in the shower. No sooner did he get in the shower and get wet did I start screaming "Honey, I need to go to the hospital I think I am going to die!!" Followed by me yelling many of times, "hurry" and "now" and my favorite "I'm going to die!" Many of you know that Matthew has a very laid back personality, well that also applies to his abilities to get excited about a situation and in this situation I swear his speed was a negative number. Anyways, back to me dying...LOL.
By 10:20 we were in the car and on our way and screaming the entire way to Baptist East in Memphis. (the same place we just were with Brad two days prior) and by 11:15 I was in the ER. The initial thought was that I had appendicitis since my white count was extremely high. However, the CAT scan showed I had a ovarian cyst. The ultrasound showed I had an ovarian cyst. But, the ER doctor just wasn't sold on the fact that an ovarian cyst was causing me this much pain. After a surgical consult they were opening up the surgery center for my emergency open (yes, open) appendectomy, since it was closed for the weekend. By 11:00 that night I was in surgery and by midnight, just like Cinderella, I was in my hospital "suite" HAHA!
The only thing sweet about this room was my husband that was waiting for me in it. He would only leave my side if he had to. He is one of the best people that God has blessed me with. He made his self at home (as best as he could) in my room. It was a weekend full of up's and down's. Matthew made sure that everything I needed was done. During the day he would go home and take care of Cooter, Luke, cleaning, and laundry. It was so sweet, so special, and just meant the world to me. He knew if he didn't that I would be going crazy thinking about everything that he needed done. Matthew wouldn't leave unless he knew someone would be by my side at the hospital. He wasn't going to leave me there alone for one second. Nancy took a shift on both Saturday and Sunday. My mom came into town on Sunday night and she took the duty on Monday while Matthew had to go to work.
Speaking of Monday, I got to come home! Finally, I was home. Finally, I got to take a shower. Finally, I got to sleep in my own bed. Finally, I got to see my two boys. Finally, I got to see all the sweet and wonderful things that Matthew had done while I was gone. My nightmare was over. Just a couple of doctor's appointments to follow up with and some recovery time to go.
On the up and up, I just wanted to finish this entry with a couple of thank-you's. First, I want to thank my mom. Thank you for putting up with me being bossy and somewhat crabby when you came and helped me recover. And for putting up my Christmas decorations, it wouldn't have gotten done otherwise. Next, Nancy you were amazing. I know there were many big sales that you missed, but instead you spent two very boring days at the hospital helping me along with a speedy recovery. Just the companionship at the hospital helped the time not go by as slow as it possibly could. Andrew Hughes, thanks for giving part of your Saturday night to bring me a sweet balloon and a couple good giggles. Brad, thank you to you and your dad for the beautiful roses. They brought a pleasant smell to a not so pleasant hospital room. To all that called or chatted with me online, just the little thoughts or comments helped minimize the bordem. Finally (and definately most importantly), Matthew, as I have been writing this blog you lay beside me asleep in bed and I am crying tears of joy for you. You have done so many things that have made such an impact on my heart. You are so very unselfish. You make me your first priority, not just when I am sick or hurting, but EVERYDAY. I would like to think that I do the same for you, but it just isn't as obvious as all the wonderful things that you have done for me. You were the last person I saw before I went into surgery and you were the first person I woke up to afterwards. I could never make this up to you. I just don't know how. You did so much to make such a bad experience such an easier one. Sleeping on that terrible couch, or well not sleeping at all, doing the laundry, bringing things to the hospital, keeping me as comfortable as possible, my beautiful rose bush, watching the cats, and the list can go on and on. I am just so very thankful to have such a wonderful husband. As much as I hated the entire situation, it made me realize how much I really am blessed. And as this UGLY scare fades away, I know that the blessings of my family and friends never will. Thank you!
