Yesterday was a rough and emotional day for me.
I've been calm leading up to this day, but now that it's here, I'm pretty freaked out.
As I walked through the double doors and made my way off the elevator, the staff greeted me with open arms.
Things got real when the nurse checked me in and placed the wrist band on my arm. I immediately began to cry.
I wiped my eyes as they told me everything would be alright, and when I turned around and saw my beautiful family standing there. It was a breath of fresh air.
I know I joked and complained that I didn't want everyone in the hospital seeing me look all crazy, but they are my family and it meant the world having them there.
Thank you all again! I appreciate you all visiting, calling and sending flowers.
I sat and waited anxiously in the waiting room for my name to be called. When they called me, my mom and I got up and went to the back while the rest of my family waited out front.
Can I just take the time to say how brave and strong my mom is.
God couldn't have provided me with a better mother. She is my everything. If you are reading this Mom, I love you from the bottom of my heart.
I wasn't sure what to expect when I walked in, but the first thing I saw frightened me. I saw a bunch of pre-patient humans hooked up to these loud and scary contraptions 😨.
Later, I learned they were bear huggers? It an over-sized comforter, but it uses a leaf blower-like box to pump warm air underneath. In other words, it's a fancy electric blanket 🤦🏾♀️.
I felt like a fool for being afraid, but sheesh, they should really make those things more kid friendly.
They hooked me up to some more machines, got my IV going, and then welcomed my family into the back room.
This time, I had a few additional guest. The rooms aren't that large so I think most people were surprised we all fit.
We joked, laughed and had a good time. It was really soothing having them there. They are the only ones that laugh at my ridiculous jokes.
Next, I met with a few different nurses -- they were all phenomenal.
Finally, I got to see the neurologist. He came in to meet my family and I teased him and reminded him of my top two request:
(1) to dance and
(2) to speak a second language.
After a few more hours of preparation, it was time to say my goodbyes and I head into surgery. I cried, of course --like a baby, but it's to be expected, right?
Later that day, I woke up and was surrounding my nurses, doctors and my family.
I was still LIT off the drugs so they said I was talking trash and back to my normal silly self.
Jell-o was my first post surgery meal. I felt good, and was living my best life, until the drugs wore off.
I went downhill from there and was in some serious pain.
I was extremely nauseous and it was hard for me to keep the medicine down. I'm pretty sure my family saw me throw up like 50 times! GROSS! (Sorry, fam).
The nurses continued to check my vitals and manage my pain, and eventually was hauled off to a room where I would stay until further notice.
So there you have it -- I survived a brain surgery. God is so amazing!
Again, thank you all for your prayers, calls and visits. I can't thank you all enough.
I'll be back with updates soon.
Talk to you soon!