Single digits..

9 days away! Wow. The year is coming to an end and surgery day is coming closer.

2009 was a crazy year, filled with many events. I found a new job, I finished my last year of college (for now anyway...) and graduated. I met my wonderful boyfriend, Jacob. I was diagnosed with congenital hip dysplasia. I turned 23. I learned so much about myself this year and I thank God for bringing people in my life to make me realize how loved I am, how special I am, how uniquely different I am, and for blessing me with everything I need. There is a little sadness factor in 2009 for me losing touch with some people I came to know very well, like people I met in WA, and people from my old job. It's easy to say things won't change and you'll stay in touch, but it's totally different when it becomes a reality and you go your separate ways.

I was also blessed with meeting some wonderful girls who also deal with hip dysplasia. Ashley, Courtney, Jessica, Stephanie, and Sabrina. It's been so wonderful to have these girls to talk to, support each other as we prepare for our surgeries and or problems. It makes it easier because we can give advice, share stories, tell each other what we think we might need in the hospital and what really helps pot-op.
My plan for next week is to work on Monday then hang out with Ashley and Jessica, Tuesday night Jacob, my friend Emily and her fiance, Nick are going to dinner. Wednesday if a family dinner and Thursday is relaxing in the evening with Jacob so on Friday I'm ready to be at the hospital by 8:30am. Please be praying for me this week as I prepare mentally and physically for Friday..

Christmas. Wow, that was a lot of fun! I went to IL with Jacob to visit his family for Christmas and we had a really good time :) We left Thursday afternoon and came back late Sunday night. We went to 2 different family Christmas gatherings (one Thursday night and one Friday night) and had one of our own at his parents house Friday morning. His brother and sister in-law announced they are expecting their third child, which was a wonderful Christmas present in itself! We spent Saturday r.e.l.a.x.i.n.g! We went to a movie with his parents and went shopping then spend the night eating and talking! Sunday we really didn't do much but we went to his cousins wedding in the evening then left to come home after we had dinner. It was the first Christmas I spent away from my family so that was kind of hard but we celebrated Christmas on Wednesday afternoon with my parents, sisters, my grandpa and Jacob. I love my family very much and I'm so blessed to have them in my life!

New years. I work tomorrow morning and I get off at 4, then Jacob and I are going to his friends house for dinner and spend the evening bringing in the new year!

Well, I'm about to get ready to head over to my sister Laurens house. She and I are totally into LOST and are in the middle of watching the 5th season, getting ready for the last season starting soon!! I'll update soon...

Soon..

Things are starting to change... Because of Christmas and New years, today is the last Thursday that I will be closing with my Manager, Krista, until March of next year. That's scary to think about.
And because of surgery happening so close after the holidays, finding time to hang out with people is really hard because everyone has stuff going on.

I was giving the option to donate 2 units of my own blood to use after surgery or I could use shelf blood. I chose to give my own and I donated my first unit this past monday... HAHAHA! Wow that was an interesting experience. (lets just say 3 min in to giving blood, my stomach didn't like my breakfast anymore...) So my mom told me she would go with me in a few days when I donate my second unit!

I can't explain how much I want my surgery to be over with. Listening to Ashley talk about her surgery, and watching Courtney and Sabrina go through their surgeries, and Jessica having hers tomorrow just makes me wish mine was today so it would just be OVER WITH. I hate waking up and having PAO be the first thing I think about in the morning, or the last thing I think about when I go to bed. I'm tired, stressed and I'm really starting to panic about everything happening. I wish it was over with and I could FINALLY be on the road to recovery..

Well on a lighter note.. Saturday Jacob is taking me to Chicago for the day! We're celebrating our 7 months together and he's taking me out for a fantastic dinner! I'm so excited and can't wait! I love you Sweetie! <3

3 weeks...
Lord, please let it come and go quickly...

12-6-09

buuurrrrr!! It's freezing outside! I woke up this morning an it was 57 in my room. ahhh! I wish it was July and my surgery was be over and it would be warm again outside. That would be nice.

Less than 5 weeks and counting. It's really starting the weigh on my mind and taking over my thoughts.. and I don't like it. I don't want this surgery to consume me, but I feel it's already doing that. I know it's a serious operation and it's something that will change my life, but I just want to enjoy the next 5 weeks with the holidays, a trip to Chicago, my sisters birthday, and time with friends, because I know after the surgery, things will get rough for the next 6-8 months (at least). I met with Ashley and Jessica this past week again for dinner and we talked a lot. (about 4 hours at olive garden! haha) We shared a lot of fears, concerns, asked Ashley a lot of questions, feelings about the whole process and just had a good time together. I'm looking forward to movie night this Friday with them! (I do want to thank the girls for being there for me! It's great that we can all talk and support each other through this process we are going through and are still going through. It's great to have an ear that will listen and understand what I'm trying to explain! haha Thanks Ashley, Jessica and Courtney!)

Well, it's my day off so I'm going to take a nap. I had a long day yesterday...