Time for another surgeryby Jim
21 May 2008
9:05 am3
I’m here at Stanford hospital waiting for Angie’s surgery to be finished. They wanted us here at 5:30 this morning, and it is an hour drive to get here (to the minute according to the GPS), so we had to wake up super early. We arrived only a few minutes late. There wasn’t traffic, but I was still surprised how many cars were on the road.
Checking in went fine and they let me go back with her until she left for the O.R.. They actually moved her surgery to the cardiac O.R. so they could take all the time they wanted. They’ve got the room booked the entire day. She was scheduled for 7:30 in the regular O.R., but they wanted to have plenty of time to do pacemaker stuff and whatnot. Unfortunately, that means I don’t know when it will be done (or when it started for that matter). I assume by now they’ve already begun.
We were told they hope the procedure will take no more than 2 hours. They are going to do some exploration first to see what is going on and then based on that, they’ll remove the cyst(s). Anything else that has to go will also be removed at their discretion. Angie’s got her iPod with her and a CD of meditation and relaxing music prescribed to her for the surgery. I guess they’re doing this new thing for patients to help them relax. She’s not being put to sleep, so hopefully the recovery will go faster. She’ll be pretty happy with all the drugs they’ll give her, so she should be just fine.
As this is our first time at an “adult” hospital, we were a little apprehensive about our experience. So far, I’ve been really impressed with the professionalism and the sensitivity of the doctors, nurses, and staff here. I was worried the service would be really good, but that they wouldn’t care as much about feelings and emotions and the other parts of healing that Primary Children’s is so good at. Well, this is a world-class hospital for good reason, it seems.
I will keep you posted as the day goes on, so keep checking in!
(Leave comments on this and subsequent posts for Angie to read.)
Jennifer’s Gardenby Angie
16 May 2008
9:05 am0
On Tuesday our Gardening Group met at Jennifer’s home to help plant her vegetable garden. Her husband built grow boxes last year in their backyard; now they are filled with watermelon, squash, and zucchini seedlings. We also planted tomato plants in containers, and potted some herbs and flowers as well. We had a great time!
Another Calling!by Angie
11 May 2008
5:05 pm1
I was sustained to a new calling today: Relief Society Secretary! I am very excited about it – our Presidency is just wonderful and I am thrilled to be working with them. Bishop Royster intends to release me as an instructor soon, but they don’t have anyone else lined up yet. For now, I’ll have both callings – and will teach next week as usual.
By the way, Happy Mothers Day to both our amazing Moms (Kathy & Pam!), our wonderful Grandmothers (Packard, Groo, and Carol!), and Kali, and all the other wonderful women who have helped make us who we are!
Adoption Orientation Meetingby Angie
9 May 2008
10:05 pm3
We drove up to Concord this morning to attend our first adoption orientation meeting! They gave us an overview of the whole process and we had the chance to meet a couple who have adopted twice through LDS Family Services, as well as amazing young woman who placed her daughter for adoption earlier this year. Hearing their stories was pretty powerful. The birth mother shared some of her journal entries from various points in the placement process: she is an amazing writer and expressed herself beautifully.
The initial application process generally takes a few months; I have several medical appointments scheduled between now and the end of July, so it will take us at least until the end of summer. Actual placement can take anywhere from months to years. In the mean-time, there are lots of forms and questionnaires to fill out, background checks and home studies to complete, and even first aid and CPR courses to take. What an experience this is going to be!
Cross your fingers for me…by Angie
7 May 2008
9:05 am1
Just thought I should let our family and friends know that I am going in for a little bit of surgery in two weeks . It’s not heart surgery – nothing serious at all. I just have a benign but annoying problem that they want to nip in the bud. We’d appreciate it if our loved ones would keep us in your prayers on May 21st. We’ll keep you posted on how it goes!
My New Electrophysiologistby Angie
5 May 2008
8:05 pm0
Today I drove out to Stanford Hospital to meet my new Cardiac Electrophysiologist (basically, pacemaker doctor), Dr. Amin Al-Ahmad. In addition to his practice, he is an assistant professor at Stanford University. He was very friendly and positive. I also had a pacer check in the clinic. Everything looks fine: battery is good, with only a few arrhythmia episodes in the last six months. That’s the kind of news we love to hear.
May the 4thby Jim
4 May 2008
7:05 pm1
I just wanted to take this opportunity to say, “May the Fourth be with you.”
