September 8, 2002

     I can't believe  I haven't written in this for so long.  It has been a few very trying and busy months.  I had major surgery in July on the 22nd.  After years of suffering with my ulcerative colitis the doctor told me I had to have my colon removed.  So I was in the hospital for 8 days.  After being a nurse since 1994 and taking care of patients, I became one.  It is much nicer to take care of patients than to be one.

     It was a very major surgery and I had a lot of setbacks along the way.  I was very weak for the first 4 weeks and was not allowed to lift over 5 pounds.  This was very hard on RaeAnne and I.  Mommy couldn't carry her and holding her was painful.  RaeAnne and Daddy formed a very strong bond during this time.  It has been very good for them, but Mommy has to admit that it makes her jealous.

     The surgery is actually a two part operation.  For the first part they removed my colon and gave me an ileostomy. They also formed a pouch inside called a J-pouch. I am now in the hospital recovering from the doctor reversing the ileostomy and connecting me to my J-pouch. I am to be in the hospital for 2 to 5 days according to the doctor and then recover at home for 4 to 6 weeks. This surgery has been much less painful than the last so far.

     RaeAnne has been such a trooper throughout all this.  Daddy brought her to see me everyday.  She was a little leary of Mommy during the first surgery as I had all kinds of tubes all over my body.  This time she is old hat at it.

     We also had lots of excitement at home during this time.  Janea moved in with us the last of August.  She is now job hunting and her and Rae are developing a great relationship.  Janea hopes to find a job in finance and put her degree to work.  Then she wants to pay off some bills and buy a new car.  We are happy to have her with us and it will be so good for her and Rae.

     I posted to the November and December DTC lists about my surgery and I have received so many kind words, gifts, cards and prayers that I have been overwhelmed.  Our referral is getting closer all the time.  New Hope's group 7 of 2001 received theirs a couple of weeks ago, so there are only 4 more groups before ours.  I am still hoping that we hear something by the end of December, but will try to hang in there and wait if it is longer.