"Surprise!?" Your Having Surgery!

~Absence makes the heart grow fonder~

My absence from blogging is frankly because I've been contemplating on what I want to tell you.  It has been a little over a week since my "surprise" surgery went down.  And because of the trauma and downright pain, I've had no desire to write this chapter of our story.  But today, as I cleaned the house of dead flowers in cheap vases, deflated get-well balloons, and stuffed all the "thinking of you" cards into a basket, I decided it was time. Because #1. I miss writing  #2. I feel like I can get over this funk if I do. #3. I, We, are begging all of our readers to be proactive with your health.  YOU are your biggest advocate.

Note: The following content talks about woman parts. So, if your weird and can't talk/read about the human body without feeling squeamish or giggling like a schoolgirl-Don't read this.  Actually, read this, it may help you. (insert cackle!)

After a routine check-up with my doc and some concern over a pain in my left side, I soon found myself under the care of an ultrasound tech-twice.  They found a cyst on my left ovary and decided they wanted to remove it.  Surgery was scheduled for a week later during my 3-day weekend and I went on my merry way. Long story short, I ended up back in the doc's office two days later do to the intensity of the pain getting stronger. The very next morning, I was admitted.

Now, hospitals tend to make people a little funny and I always hear these stories of how "ghetto" the buildings are and how "mean" the nurses can be.  I fortunately haven't had a surgery since I was 8 years old and got the chance to stay at one of our newest hospitals here in Omaha. I told my hubby, "I feel like I'm at a resort where everyone wears robes with their butts showing!"  Truly though, the staff and hospital were impeccable and very hospitable.  It was a nice time of rest.

Anywho, when my doc-who by the way is ancient enough to have delivered me-went in to take the cyst out, he found that my entire left fallopian tube was pretty much dead and my left ovary was covered with endometriosis.  (Yea, I'd never heard that word either-women, educate yourself!)  They removed the tube and ovary.  So, when I was coming out of super-crazy-drug-world, they told me that he had to remove those parts and I kinda lost it-literally.  I kept saying, "They took it, They took it!"

Right now, I have no memory of that happening.  However, my amazing and wonderful husband who stood/sat by my side the whole time, is a bit traumatized seeing me that way.  It has taken us a few days of tiptoeing around each other, to once again feel "normal."  However, I couldn't have gone through this without him and have to take this small opportunity to tell the world how unselfish and downright lovable my guy is.  Thank you Nico.

After being released a little to soon for our comfort, the bedroom and living room became my office space and sleeping shack for the whole week.  Checking e-mails, catching up on OMR stuff, starting my carrier as an agent for a local musical talent, beginning a series of blogs for Waiting for Baby, and trying to remember when to take my multiple pain pills everyday, left me  wasting my days in front of this computer hacking away. Yet, not telling my story.

My story of loss, pain, and gratitude.  My story of unanswered prayers, faith, and friendship.  My story of love, health, and perseverance.  My story. My life. My reasons to keep going on.  To not morn anymore.  To say goodbye. To smile hello.  To remember that every aspect of my life is just another fascinating chapter  for all the world to remember me by.   To make a difference with what I have learned and been given.  To move forward and never glance back. This is my story-my life.

And Then We Stopped Running...

This last Friday was the Omaha Midnight Run.  A year worth of planning and worrying, months of collaborating and promoting, long days and even longer nights. Many sacrificing personal and family time to see this night be a success.  Pounding the pavement from all walks of life, coming together to make a difference in our city. 

While there's still some work to do, I'm actually stunned that it's over!  What do I do now that I have all this free time again?  Blog about the Omaha Midnight Run!  Some highlights were:

*Seeing the creative running costumes people came up with

* Hearing Bobby-Jo from the Abide Network speak about how their organization is changing North Omaha one neighborhood at a time and seeing the kiddos they brought get into the spirit of OMR

*Interviewing Ron Wright from http://400plus.com/ 

*Listening to Ty talk about the Hope Employment Academy: http://www.hopecenterforkids.com/

*Watching the 402 Street Beat Band perform their stomp/slam/jam music. (I'm seriously lining these guys up for my birthday party!)

*Lastly, having my husband work by my side and having friends from different aspects of my life come together to support the Omaha Midnight Run.

Another year, another winner, another finish line, another chance to make a difference.  

Will you join us next year?  

Save the date: September 6, 2013

It Started With A Dress...

The title says it all. I saw a dress, fell in love, saved every spare penny, and bought it four months after I laid eyes on it.  "The Dress" as it's now referred to as, is a beautiful leopard print pencil with a red turned-down back and matching belt by Tatyana for Bettie Page Clothing.  

Who is Bettie Page you ask?  "Bettie Page was the best known model and pin up girl of the 1950s. Her iconic style influenced fashion in her time. Page had an interest in fashion and actually designed and sewed many of the bathing suits and lingerie worn in her most famous pin up and bondage photographs....Her dark coal colored hair, thick bangs and naughty girl next door image earned her the title "The Dark Angel." In her heyday of the 1950s, Bettie Page's image was seen on every newsstand...After remaining tremendously popular throughout the 1950's, Page converted to Christianity and remained out of the public eye for many years. The fifties style and Bettie Page experienced a resurgence of popularity in the 1980's and Page found a new generation of fans....Bettie Page died December 11, 2008 at 85 years old. Throughout her later years, Page never allowed herself to be photographed. She said she wanted her fans to remember her as the young and beautiful pin up girl." 

While quite provocative, Bettie Page's outlook  her body is what has inspired me to embrace my own.  After years of struggling and never feeling quite comfortable, I  have come to a place where I feel it is my responsibility as a woman to show just how at home one can be.  While usually self-conscious and how others view me, I decided to go all out and work that leopard print dress, pile my ravine locks into a modern day bee-hive, and walk the red carpet at the finale of Omaha Fashion Week.  An unforgettable night filled with fashion, friends, the who's who of Omaha, and several "CELEBRITIES."  

My new mantra and advice to women everywhere "A body is a terrible thing to waste."~Bettie Page.