I had elective surgery a few weeks ago. My team of doctors were worried about various findings in my colon, so together with my husband, we all decided that the trouble spot had to go. Thank God for good insurance.
Knowing that a positive outlook is absolutely KEY to getting through tough times, and knowing that physical pain was a by-product of the surgery, I made some plans. I wanted to laugh. I wanted to emit good energy, even when I didn’t feel like it, (and I knew I wouldn’t feel like it… I know Me so well). I decided that my stay in the hospital would have a “theme”. I was going to be a unicorn for the hospital staff! I bought a blanket with a unicorn hoodie that would simultaneously keep me warm, comforted and cozy, and give the nurses, doctors, and aids a giggle. I bought a headband adorned with a golden unicorn horn and colorful flowers. And I had my girls head to a nearby bakery for delicious cupcakes that we handed out to my caregivers. I wanted the caregivers to look forward to coming into my room. I wanted my room to have an atmosphere of fun, whimsy, and giggles.
Oh trust me… I was in pain, and I let the nurses know about it. I pushed that red button at my bedside. A LOT. But I never made my complaints about them. They had taken such good care of me. At one point I kind of had a little mental breakdown, (pain can be so scary sometimes!). Stephanie, my nurse on duty, held my hand, spent time just being with me, reassuring me. She didn’t compel me to “be strong”, she just let me cry. Every single care-giver that came into my room during that stay was amazing.
When it was finally time to go home the charge nurse came in and thanked me for the cupcakes and my cheerfulness. I, quite honestly, was a little surprised! I really didn’t think my efforts had had that much of an impact. But she assured me that I had, indeed, been a unicorn, a rare and “easy” patient for them, and that my efforts to make their job easier was more than appreciated.
But then again, as I was leaving I could hear a man down the hall screaming his head off, using profanity as he called for attention. I’d heard him earlier that morning, too.
I guess that by comparison I WAS a model patient.
We can’t always plan for life’s challenges. We just never know what’s next. But we do know that stuff happens. And we CAN plan to meet those “stuffs” with as much positivity as we can muster. It helps. It even helps with the healing. 
Facebook post from last night: I have my challenges, to be sure. Life’s like that. I have health issues, money issues, home issues, more health issues…but Oh my! I love this life! Even in my cluttered, messy, chaotic home I’m surrounded by beauty. Photos of my children, hand-painted brick-a-brac, the swirl of burled wood, the love that my husband shows me as he walks past. And don’t even get me started about the glories in my own cluttered, over-grown backyard! Do I want more? Yes. Can I have more? Yes. Can I have all that I want? Well, that’s debatable. But wanting more keeps me moving, keeps me hope-full, keeps me flying high! I’m not talking about building air castles; I’m talking about goal-setting, dream-fulfilling… I’m talking about putting one foot in front of another, even in the face of continued adversity. I’ve had moments of late where I felt like life was passing me by. And while life has been in a kind of holding pattern for a while, it’s still so much fun!
Hello Butterfly! 