Patients learn Patience

And a whole lot more. So much for trying to be the invincible super-mom. I have been in the hospital for three days now due to a major rash. It is thought that I may have reacted to some Codeine that I was given for the horrible flu I had a few weeks ago or maybe just a reaction to the virus. The diagnosis is still non-conclusive but the good news is I am getting better. I don't look too great in the picture but when I came in on Saturday I was unrecognizable.

I thought I would only be in for a few hours of evaluation so I drove myself to the hospital and told Paul I'd be back later in the day. I guess my apperance was quite impressive because I was immediately admitted and the doctors were soon taking pictures of my "impressive" condition. My initial thought and response to being admitted was ..."this is great - now I don't have to cook dinner". But I wasn't prepared for the drama that was to soon follow. I won't go into the details but I had even more reactions to the steroids that were given to stop the swelling and then started going into pre-term labor. But I'm happy to say that I am quite stable now and may even go home later this afternoon. I just need to force myself to rest and be prepared in case the baby does come early.

Just a few more random thoughts that may be added to my lessons learned in 2008.

1. Be well groomed always! If you go the hospital even if you don't think you will be admitted make sure you are well groomed. I must not have been feeling good the morning I went because I took a quick shower without washing my hair and was careless in only shaving one leg.

2. Gratitude for modern medicine, hospitals, doctors, midwives, and nurses. When you don't really need them it is hard to appriciate their great care, experience, knowledge, and compassion. It really is a thankless job especially when you are spending all night on your feet taking care of those in need.

3. Gratitude for family who make sacrifices in their own lives to help each other when in need. I can't believe my mom still has energy to dress 5 kids and get them all to 9:00 am church then sit with them through Sacrament meeting by herself. Even I need Paul's help with that. Also the doctors in my family who were able to visit, consult and really push the doctors through the care I needed. And of course Paul who showed up at the hospital for a short visit then ended up staying for two nights and two days giving up much sleep in order to comfort me like no one else could have.

4. Life is a precious gift. We may be in control of so many things in our lives but the most important things we have...our breath, beating heart, and functioning brain are not ours to own. They are given to us for a purpose, not to be idle or distracted by frivolous things. We must make the most of them in making this world a better place, that is why we are here and that is why I feel I was spared during this whole ordeal.