A very LONG and RAMBLING post about everything.

Something has been nagging me for awhile about the picture at the top of the blog. Now I realize what's wrong; to be blunt, I look um, visually impaired- I have the Stevie Wonder look going on. Scott wants to use this pic for our Christmas cards this year but I say, not before I let my friend Tosha photoshop a different headshot of me. Anyway, vacation feels like a distant memory b/c of all that has happened since we returned. God has been working his magic with me so I will share the events with you. Do you remember the morning I was supposed to originally have my gallbladder out and it got cancelled at the last minute. Well, we were praising God about that b/c I had to run to Joplin and be there for my sister when she gave birth to Declan. Well, last week I had my surgery and had a recovery like no other. I HAD NO PAIN. I DIDN'T EVEN FEEL LIKE I HAD SURGERY. I COULD WALK, EAT, WORK (yes, I went back to work 48 hours after surgery, my doctors would kill me if they knew, although killing me would defeat the purpose of surgery, but I digress...). Thursday night, just 3 days post-op, we got the call about Declan. So I am immediately whisked off to Kansas City, where I am able to spend precious hours with Declan and of course, support my sister as much as possible. No one could possibly believe I had just had surgery. My only problem was bloating, I did look about 6 months pregnant but all I had to do was look at my tubal ligation incision to know that wasn't possible. Yes, I did get my tubes tied. I hesitated to tell that on the blog, I am Catholic and well, Sister Teresa does read my blog (She is a sweetheart by the way, thanks Sister Teresa for all the well-wishes), but I didn't have any choice; when you have an endometrial ablation, a pregnancy is not sustainable in the uterus anymore so I had to have it done, for medical reasons. So basically I had 3 surgical procedures performed and now you see why I am talking about what a miracle it was that I recovered so quickly from surgery and was able to go see Declan. God worked his POWERS twice so that I could see Declan, b/c those were the only two times I ever saw him. Talk about Amazing Grace. Anyway, I wanted to also mention that the NICU waiting room at Children's Mercy Hospital is a lesson in culture- many, many cultures. We were camped out in there for 14 hours and saw everything from unsupervised teenage rock star wannabe's, the pajama-pants-in-public parents, retired FBI agent (he entertained my Dad, and for some reason, asked him several times how the cattle business is doing in Arkansas), and the Amish, who definitely travel in groups. And I know right now you have an image of them parking their horse and buggy in the parking garage but that's not how it happened, they did have someone bring them to town. You are laughing right now, b/c you had that image and I confess that's the first image that came to my mind too.
Wow, this turned out to be a long post, just one more thing before I go. I got the best pick-me-up last night. Mrs Heiserrer's 6th grade class at St. Vincent's has been praying for me every morning all school year. So the last week of school they all made a card for me, and each card contained a joke. I laughed and I cried, it was such a wonderful gift to me! The cards were beautifully done and I will treasure them forever!
Thanks for continuing to read my posts, you all mean so much to me!
Love you all,
Michele;

Very Sad News

I am sad to report that Declan Alexander Richards passed away at 7:16 pm May 23 at 65 days of age. Please pray for our family as we deal with this devastating loss. Messages of condolence can be left on his site at http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/miraclebaby3

Prayers answered

This morning I don't even feel like I had surgery! I feel great! I took a pain pill at bedtime but otherwise I feel fine. All 3 procedures went fine and I just have 5 tiny holes on my abdomen. Scott made me promise I wouldn't go to work today.
If you got the paper today, the May edition of the Southeast Missourian Jr was included. They printed Megan's essay titled "What stresses me out". She wrote about how stressed she was when I had cancer. It was a very good essay. She is a good writer.
Emily graduates from preschool tomorrow night. I won't lie and say Where did the time go? or Wow, she's growing up fast b/c it feels like this occasion is a long time coming.
Scott and I have a running joke around here about things causing cancer. It seems like everything can cause cancer so sometimes he'll joke Hey, watch that, it causes cancer. I remember about a year ago I used to stop at Casey's on Rt D and get red Powerade. The guy behind the counter told me one morning, You know, red Powerade causes cancer. So I switched to blue, but I guess it was too late!
Just want to say thanks for all the prayers, there is no other explanation for my speedy recovery.
Love you all,
Michele

Surgery

Surgery went very well today. I went home quick and I have not even taken a pain pill yet. I am sleeping a lot but also walking around quite a bit. Prayers have been answered, God is good to me! Will write more later.
Michele

pics

Pics will be up later today...

WE'RE BACK!!!

We are back from vacation!!!! We went to the Outer Banks, which is on the coast of North Carolina. It was a dream come true for me. I have always wanted to go there. We had a fantastic time and we were so lucky to have Kasey with us, she helped out so much with the girls. We would not have survived without her! I took over 300 pictures but I promise I won't make you look at all of them...lol.
As some of you know, I have a really good friend, Kevin, that I met online through the Colon Club. We were so fortunate to meet him and his wife Brenda while we were traveling. We stopped at their house and visited for a couple of hours. This meant so much to me! After talking with someone for nearly a year online, what an amazing experience to meet face-to-face. I've never met anyone with such a strong FAITH.
I will post a few pics but I haven't even downloaded them yet so it will be a few days. I may not post again until after surgery, which is next Monday, or I will have someone post for me if I'm really knocked out. It is supposed to be outpatient but there's a chance I may have to stay overnight.
Keep in touch,
Michele;