Off My Feet

As most of you know, I am recovering from outpatient surgery yesterday. On the 15th of this month I broke and dislocated my fifth toe on my right foot when it caught on the highchair. Eric was out of town, so I called our friends the Gaudios. Leslie took me to urgent care while her daughter stayed behind to watch our children. I was able to walk on my foot as long as I did not put direct weight on the broken toe. The orthopedic doctor determined on Tuesday that I needed surgery Friday because the break was not healing. We had a feeling that I would need surgery but we thought it would be after the holiday! Wednesday and Thursday were busy days full of preparations for me to be off of my feet!

The surgery went well- it lasted about an hour. It was such a comfort to know that our Lord was with us, guiding the doctor and nurses hands. How does anyone go through trials without that assurance??? Eric and I were very pleased with the level of care we received at Grady Hospital. The only annoying thing was a nurse giving us a birth control lecture before we left for home! Everyone who asked me yesterday how many children I had was shocked that I had four (silly me- I thought that was a small number!), shocked that they were so close in ages (silly me again- I thought that was a good thing!) and shocked I stayed home with them (once again, silly me!). After the surgery, Eric brought me home to rest (I slept a lot yesterday) and then went to get our children from the Garretts. Dawn lives close to us, so it worked well to have her watch the children. I know that it was a lot of work (she took care of six children ages six and under!) and we are so thankful for her willingness to help us.

My foot hurts- a lot. I could not nurse Jonathan for 24 hours due to the anesthesia, so I took pain medication yesterday which made me sleep but not feel the pain. (I am SO GLAD that I saved milk in the freezer so Jonathan could eat!!!) Today I wanted to start nursing Jonathan again, so I have been taking Tylenol but it doesn't do much other than to take the edge off. I am suppose to stay completely off my foot till next Tuesday, when I will see my doctor again. Eric is busy taking care of the children and I.

This isn't the Christmas I wanted or planned for. To be honest, it took a little time for me to adjust to the idea of having to let everything go. However, we trust that our God is good and is using this for His glory and our good. The children have been so sweet- praying for me, coloring pictures & helping to bring me things. I have been able to get some reading done but I am mostly sleeping off and on.

We hope that each one of you enjoys the Christmas season- that you take time to reflect on the TRUE meaning of the holiday. We pray that you would find true joy in the remembrance of the birth of Christ- God made man that He might save His people.

Blessings!
Heather

PS- a highlight today was receiving flowers, a teddy bear and CHOCOLATE from my parents. :) Thanks- that brought a smile to my face. And after sharing a piece with each child (except Jonathan of course), I was even able to eat some.