Road Trippin' with a man boob

Road trip starts tomorrow! Cross country to North Carolina with a side trip to DC and then home. Bags are packed. We have an early start at 07:00. I am so glad this day is finally here. December was a whirlwind of work, surgery, and the holidays. I'm so glad to have all the stress behind me, especially surgery. I think that was the biggest worry on my shoulders so it feels sooooooooooooo good to have that done. And it was a positive experience which means I'm actually not too freaked out about the second surgery in June! Whatever they gave me in the O.R. before the anasthetic made me feel so relaxed that I was thanking everyone and telling them how great I felt. I could hear myself slurring my words, it was hilarious. But seriously, I have NEVER felt that relaxed, it was amazing! Anyway...that's why the reference to the man boob. My tissue expander in place with a little inflation looks just like a man boob. I'm over the pain of the first week but its still uncomfortable. I'm not so sure its 100% kosher to drive but I can. I'll just take the straight, flat routes on the highway and freeways, we'll be OK. I should probably be more worried that we're driving in a Toyota Echo, ha ha. I'm excited to head into the new year doing one of my favorite things (road trip), seeing new sites, making new memories, spending time with good friends and family, and then a new boob in summer. We're stopping in Winnipeg to see my sista G before crossing the state line and heading south. I'm excited to see her and my brother and Polly and the kiddos in DC. I'll get to ride the Amtrack for the first time too. Can't wait. Time to eat, sleep, then put on my RTC t-shirt (road trip chicks) and frappe la rue.

DI Techs ROCK!

I work with them almost daily (or did when I worked at RGH) and they are an SLP's second family in terms of work departments. These peeps are pretty special. Kind, compassionate, fun. I had to have an enhanced CT scan of my head done today and not at RGH where I work. It was actually scheduled for Tuesday but I chickened out because of my crazy fear of non-ionic contrast. The tech that day was so incredibly supportive that she actually gave me the direct number to the techs so I could go have a coffee, think about it, and call her with my decision. She left my spot open for me all day. I called and we rescheduled...I spent about 2 hours at the Garden Cafe at FMC trying to talk myself off the ledge but couldn't. Today I went in for the second attempt and I felt like a total diva! Thanks to chemo it took 2 techs and then an ER nurse to get my IV in. That was after being wrapped in warm blankets to try and warm me up and make those veins pop. After my IV was in, I headed into the CT room followed by my entourage of techs and nursing cheering me all the way. The tech who gave me the contrast and did the scan didn't take his hand off of my shoulder the whole time the contrast was going in. I swear I could have asked him to marry me and meant it! He also very slyly gave me a few cc's of the contrast but told me it was saline "to test the IV line and make sure it was patent". After 5 minutes he told me what he had done and that I was officially not allergic. Nice move! I got the rest of the contrast and scan done no problem! The techs watched me for about 15 minutes post just to make sure I was okay. Then they sent me off with kind and heartfelt wishes for good results and a job well done. AMAZING. Thank you Deena, Krista, pink shirt tech lady with black hair, Susan the ER nurse and ever so calming and supportive Gavin. You have no idea how much of a difference you made in my life today. Thank you thank you thank you for understanding a crazy patient like me!

Seriously?!!!!

The universe is pushing my buttons and its starting to piss me off. My surgery that was scheduled (for the 4th time) on Monday was bumped a 5th time to April. I came home to that lovely voicemail message yesterday and because it was after hours, I couldn't get in touch with the surgeon's office until today. Awesome! I didn't sleep at all last night. I went into their office this morning versus calling and managed to get my surgery rebooked in 2 weeks versus April. It all worked out but I could have done without the stress and sleepless night.  And it means that my long awaited TCM appointment out of town which is booked for the day before surgery leaves me driving there and back in a day, the day before my surgery. Nice. And I have to cancel my 2nd appt. that I had with the TCM doc the following day. It only took me 4 months to get to these appointments, but whatever right? Frustrating! But I wasn't about to turn down the surgery and wait until April. I spent my day off today getting up early so I could get to the office right when it opened. This was my one day to sleep in, that's all I wanted. I came home and was putting the last 2 days behind me by napping on the couch when I see a Peace Officer coming up to the door. I figured it was in regards to my mom (that story in a minute) but it was about my dog. Due to procrastination, I neglected to renew her city license on time and now have a ticket for $250.00. Come on! And as for my mom, I found out yesterday that while my she was at the pool in her condo, someone went into her unit and stole $2000.00 from her wallet. Is there a freakin' full moon or something? Give me a break universe. I'm begging you.

Gearing up for another road trip!

'Tis a busy season for this gal! Working 3 jobs until mid December. Surgery is booked for Dec. 12th. Traditional Chinese Medicine appointment is booked for Dec. 19th and 20th (out of town). CT scan of head is booked for Dec. 23rd. SAIT learning design deadline is also Dec. 23rd. Christmas holidays. And then ROAD TRIP!!!! I'm saddling up with a friend who is moving state side to do travel therapy for the year. We're driving cross country and I can't wait! We'll be making a stop in WPG and I'm excited to have a visit with my sista and catch up. I'm going to get to see states that I've never been to before and Nashville, TN! Here's hoping I run into Scotty McCreery...actually I could also potentially run into him in NC (the final destination for my friend) because he lives there. I'm joking (not really). Then I'm making my way to Baltimore for a few days before flying home. I'll get to spend a few solid days with my brother, sister-in-law, and niece and nephew. And...baby #3 is due around that time so I just might meet the new addition as well! Its been a long time since I've been on an actual road trip with a girlfriend. We ordered t-shirts in honor of the event and I can't wait to put it on and get on the open road. Adventure awaits. I can't think of a better way to celebrate the end of December and all the stress than this.