Crazytown.

That's where I'm currently residing.

I've been so busy with Em's upcoming surgery, that TTC is kind of on the back burner. I mean, we haven't stopped trying, we just aren't trying as hard as we have been the last 2 years!

E had one of her pre-op appointments on Monday - this is the update I posted on her "prayers" page on FB to keep friends, family and even a few complete strangers updated on how she is. (Prayers For Emily)

"It was a long, stressful & emotional day in Boston! Em had labs, xrays, an ortho appointment, appointments with a pre-op nurse and anesthesia. What we learned from anesthesia: This is Em's biggest surgery. She has never been under for more than 2 or 3 hours and this will be anywhere from 5 to 8 hours. Based on her respiratory problems and neurological deficits, they estimated that there is a 10-20% that Em won't wake up or will need to be on the vent long-term. It's strange, when you hear that there is a 10-20% chance of something good happening... it seems so small, so unlikely. But when it's something scary? Those numbers seem so big. But we know Em, she's a fighter. She's got this. 80-90%? Those are some pretty great odds.

Ortho went over the surgery in detail. He will be breaking the top of her femur so that he can use pins and a plate to curve it into the hip socket. (I'm posting a picture that shows what I'm describing) He is hoping he won't need to reshape the sockets... but if he does, that will add 2 hours onto the surgery time. He will be lengthening her adductor and and hamstring muscles. The plan right now is to extubate her right after surgery and send her to the ortho floor instead of the ICU. If she can't be intubated right away or if there are any complication, they will send her to the ICU. A 100% uneventful surgery/stay would be a 4-5 day hospitalization - we were told that her stay will probably be about a week. They also cancelled her CT scan that was supposed to be Wednesday, they don't want her under anesthesia twice in two weeks.

We were given a lot of information today... our heads are still spinning, but I think this sums it up! Thank you so much for your thoughts - Please feel free to share this, the more prayers the better!"

This is what she will be having done to both hips: 

On a happy note... I FINALLY got my "Emily" tattoo last night. The timing made it even more special...

Raving!

About these freakin' pork chops! Seriously! So simple, fresh and delicious. I highly recommend giving them a shot. I added a little more balsamic and served them with cilantro lime brown rice and sliced cucumbers. NOM NOM!

Cheesy Bruschetta Pork Chops

MOAR vacation pictures!

Yup - that's all the entry is.

Chug Chug...

...Chuggin' along!

Nothing too exciting going on over here. Had a nice family vacation last week... 8 days on a lake in VT. No cable, no cell phone, it was VERY relaxing. (I DID buy internet for the week. Gosh, I'm not an animal!)

Em HATES cold water. Ok, she hates all water that is colder than bath water (gets that from me)... this picture shows how much of a daddys girl she is. (and borderline albino?) That water was chilly and she still smiled at him.

Now we are just waiting for her big pre-op appointment on the 26th and her surgery on September 3rd. I get a lump in my throat just thinking about it. Medicated cycles are on hold until after her surgery and probably a good month into her recovery. We will try on our own in the meantime and I might even pick up my BBT next cycle, it's been a while old friend!

It's been an uneventful week back from vacation. MrM had an old 2002 Dodge Stratus that died a few months ago (he's been using his motorcycle since) and it was time for a replacement. 2010 Hyundai Elantra - nothing fancy or new, very basic, but EXCELLENT gas mileage. (He drives about 70 miles round trip to work, so fuel efficiency is a plus)

That's the extent of this weeks excitement.

Oh, and we are going out to dinner tonight while E's nurse is with her. Bar food and a beer at a local brewery, yum.

I love food. The end.