Last post in my 20's!!

I had my second appointment with Dr. Samstein this morning and even though it wasn't bad, it wasn't great either. So I'm the type that likes to see the glass half full so when the doctor told me that my progress level was a 3 on a 1-10 scale, I smiled and said "oh good, I'm almost at 1!" He graciously smiled back and informed me that 10 was our goal and we had some work to do. But I told him that I'm doing everything he recommended and getting plenty of rest. The only thing I'm unable to do is eat well or get rid of this 2 week long headache that lingers no matter what I take. He ordered a CT scan just to be safe and everything looks great! As I waited three longs hours to get the CT scan today, they require that you drink two huge bottles of this liquid something in order to do the scan. I'm already having issues with eating or drinking anything so being forced to drink the fake banana something drink was pretty much torture and I think I'm scarred for life. They give you two 450ml bottles and one small cup. You're instructed to drink a cup every 15 minutes and that you'll be done in an hour if you follow the directions. Again, pure torture and I have no idea how I finished those two bottles. Maybe I let it sit so long that it consumed into the air? So after that torture, they need to put an IV before you go do the CT scan.

You can't tell form the pictures, but my body was black and blue from all the needles and poking that was done after the surgery. My skin color was no longer tan, I described my color as an array of purples, greens and blues. The colors were quite lovely, but they are finally fading and I see my normal color again! The main problem is that nurses have a hard time finding my veins so they often poke in one and blood doesn't come out so they poke again and agin. I have a huge tolerance for needles and giving blood, but today was different and painful. They brought in two different nurses and the more painful it got. As they tried putting this IV in my arm, it reminded me of what my dad said earlier this week as we waited to be called so that they could draw his blood. He said "I don't want it to hurt anymore." not only did I silently cry after he said this to me, I silently cried again today as they grabbed and pierced like every wrong vein and knew actually what dad meant. But my four weeks doesn't even compare to the years that he's suffered so I'm totally ok with taking the pain now and knowing that this will hopefully give him a chance to start new and minimize any moment of pain going forward.


But I'll need to start eating and he scheduled a few appointments for next week to help with getting me closer to a 10 and ensure he gives me the green light to leave New York. As of today, he said I wouldn't be able to go just yet. I'll work on it :)

On a happier note, I really do have the most amazing family & friends and found that all my strength comes from your constant calls, packages, mail, texts, visits, get-to-gethers and Love!! I wanted to make sure you all knew that I'm so grateful for the connections I have with every one of you and how much I appreciate everything you've all done for me!!

And on a random note, looks like the Texas Rangers pulled off a victory for my pre-birthday and all the Texas music in the background makes me want to move back to Texas!!! Since David won't move to New York, maybe he'll consider Texas?!