Monday, June 28, 2010

Off to Mend the Hole in my Heart... the Real One, not the Metaphorical One

Howdy y'all.

So, tomorrow I'm off to the hospital to mend the little hole in my heart. During my most recent echo cardiogram, the doctors were able to capture this image:


Isn't technology amazing? Who knew the hole had personality?

I'm planning on milking this event for all it's worth. We're having dinners brought in, and that means my family will have home-cooked meals for the first time in their lives.  They are very excited. Kid C even offered to punch a new hole in my heart if it meant more meals. 

I'm bringing my computer with me. Sam asked me why, and I'm all, "Because heart surgery is my only chance for quiet writing time."

He thinks I'm a little unclear on the concept. But have you seen my summer? It's loud and obnoxious, and constantly tapping me on my shoulder asking to be fed or entertained. So sure, I'll be in a hospital room, slightly drugged, but it will be quiet, because no code blue can compete with a bored 7-year-old and a frustrated 4-year-old.

Yes, I realize I'm approaching this as if it's a weekend at the spa, but it's keeping me sane. 

Wish me luck. Or, what do you say to someone pre-surgery? Break a leg? Try not to nick an artery? Hope the anesthesia works?

I'll be thinking of all of you as I drift into la la land. Well, either you or Barry Manilow. Okay, let's be honest... I'll be thinking of Rafael Nadal. 


Sweet Dreams, y'all.

28 comments:

  1. OMG! I'm totally emailing you right now!!!

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  2. I will definitely be thinking of you and good luck with that! Can I bring you anything from GA? (Sorry, no, the lead of Vampire Diaries will NOT fit into my suitcase.) Anything else?

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  3. Best wishes while you get your happy hole fixed ;) If you are IMC, and still there by Friday, I'll come visit you in your drug induced writing state ;) (I work the grave shift in the ER on Friday).

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  4. I, for one, am pleased that you are taking your laptop. Will they let you take it into the surgery with you? It's just a local anethesia, right? I'd hate to have you waste a minute of potential writing time. If you have to have a general knock-out, perhaps you can type in your sleep? I'm sure you can keep your hands in your lap so it wouldn't interfere with what they're doing to your chest. Good writer. You get a cookie. :)

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  5. Good luck Brodi!. You will definitely be in my thoughts and prayers:)

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  6. Well, after my experience in the ER's and the post-C-section fun this year, I wish you the following:
    1. No annoying roommates that refuse to sleep, keep the lights on and yell,loudly, that they need more pain meds.
    2. No annoying roommate's significant other whom cusses, loudly, ever other word for most of the afternoon when you try to get a nap because of the aforementioned item.
    3. No roommate with uncontrolled, violent and LOUD vomiting (oh yes, this lasted over the three hours I was there and then luckily I was released).
    4. No knife welding crazies locking down the hospital.
    5. Plenty of people to come by, give you love and support and bring tasty contraband food and diversions, except when you are busily writing (and surfing the net).
    6. Never ending Wi-Fi in the hospital.
    7. Fabulous nurses and great doctors who will take wonderful care of you!

    You will certainly be in my prayers!

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  7. Thinking good thoughts for you and your heart, Brodi! And wishing you lots of inspired and quiet writing time after.

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  8. Windy- Thanks for the email! So good to have someone else who's already gone through it.

    Nicole- But I heard the lead of Vamp Diaries is extremely bendy. You sure he won't fit?

    Jo- I hope I'm not still there on Friday, but if I am, you better stop by for lunch! (Midnight lunch)

    Robin- Personally, I do some of my best work when I'm asleep. Remember that one post about the interesting things I write in my notebook on my nightstand?

    Janae- Thanks!

    Una- Fortunately I have a private room! Sounds like you had a crazy time, and I'm glad you made it out alive. Thanks for the wish of "neverending wi-fi". How sweet!

    emkokie- Thanks girlfriend! Here's to quiet writing time for us all.

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  9. Good luck! We'll be thinking of you. Tell them to give you the spa package anesthesia. :D

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  10. What do you mean quiet time? I'm bringing in all the kids to wish you well while you're in the hospital. They will bring all their pictures they drew for you, flowers they picked from our neighbors' gardens, and lots of yummy treats they found in the sand box. Can't wait to see you! Love, your wonderful sister and kids. Get better soon!

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  11. Best of luck, Brodi!

    Wait, you're not letting BP plug this hole are you?

    *whispers* I don't think they know what they're doing.

    ;)

    p.s. My word verification is "undo meds" -- don't undo your meds!

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  12. Keersten- Is that an option? I'm beginning to like this government health care thingee. (I'm sure it's responsible for the luxury surgery package)

    Erin- Heh heh. Gee... sounds like fun. Party in my room!

    Shannon- I did hear something about how they're going to flush the hole with mud and particle board shavings first, to see if that works. Doesn't sound good... Hopefully they'll have skimmer boats in the hallway to gather up the goo.

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  13. My thoughts and prayers are with you. I honor you for being able to keep up your good humor. Best Wishes and may God be with you.

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  14. Good luck. We will be thinking of you!! Enjoy your quiet time. Keep us all posted :)

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  15. Mary- I appreciate it!

    Cam- Thanks, and I will keep y'all updated. I plan on blogging on Wednesday. Ha ha.

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  16. Best of luck, Brodi. You'll be in my thoughts and prayers and all that jazz ...

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  17. Um, I think the think you actually say to a pre-surgery patient is, "I hope you don't have anesthetic awareness." That's when you're out, but your mind isn't out and you know exactly what's going on.

    Okay, for real, though, good luck! I hope everything goes well! Enjoy the pamper time.

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  18. Susan- Thanks for all that jazz!

    Jenni- That's a detail I could've gone without... :)

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  19. you'll be in our prayers and on our dinner menu! xo

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  20. Dorien- It's so worth it to be on your dinner menu!

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  21. Brod - praying all goes well. I'm sure it will! So MILK IT it as long as you can!!! And post when you can tell us the hole is plugged. Love ya Brod!

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  22. Wishing you lots of luck, no broken legs, no nicked arteries, and many drug induced hallucinations of hot tennis players. :) Seriously though, hope all goes well.

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  23. Brodi -- Hoping all goes well with your surgery. You will be in my prayers. I offered to bring my soup to your mom if you need it!

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  24. I hope all goes well! We'll be thinking of you!

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  25. I'm late to this post, so I hope it's all over by now and you are fine and all went well and you are totally enjoying your peace and quiet!

    Get well soon! :)

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  26. Thanks y'all! I'm out of surgery, and relaxing in a luxurious bed wearing a skimpy getup. Okay, it's a mechanical bed and a hospital gown. But if I'm walking down the hall, and the angle is just right...

    Use your imagination. And make it flattering!

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  27. Yay! So glad you're out of surgery (if you weren't out by now, of course, that'd be nothing but bad news).

    Can't wait to hear how it went.

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  28. I'll draw on some more balloons in honor of your heart!

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