Hubby's First Surgery and The Struggles After

About two weeks ago, Jared fell and fractured his wrist. It looks nasty when you are looking at the x-rays. He had to go to a hand doctor to see if we needed surgery or not; he said it's preferable. I should explain that my husband has never broken a bone, never went through surgery, and/or anesthesia. So this has become a domino effect of firsts for him. Hubby was not happy. He was trying to find a way out of surgery but the hand specialist warned that if he doesn't go through with it there's a very good chance that around 35-40 years of age, he's going to have painful arthritis on his wrist. The bones would heal but there could be painful consequences down the road.

In the end, Jared agreed that it would be more responsible to go through with it. All morning of the surgery he was pins and needles, no pun intended, and I felt so bad for him. I remember my first time and going under was scary at first. Anyways, the surgery went well and I've updated our family about it. He was so brave and I was proud of him for overcoming his fears.

We didn't find out until later that his parents would get nauseas with the anesthesia and sure enough Jared became extremely sick and dizzy. For a thirty minute drive home it took us twice as much time because he was getting car sick. As soon as we got home he took an hour and a half nap; I had to wake him back up to eat some soup (poor guy hadn't eaten all day) and give him his meds for the pain.

The next day he woke up feeling much better and was wanting to go to town with me (I was going to get groceries and a few things). I tried to explain to him that he just got out of surgery and he's going to be tired and loopy from the meds. He fought me and I had no choice but to consent. Sure enough he got sleepy in the car so I just left him in there while I got groceries. The rest of the day he napped and ate, and napped and ate again until bedtime.

That was Friday. It's Sunday and for the past two days he's dying to get our bathroom project done and it's stressing me out. As much as I also want to get our bathroom done I want him to rest and recuperate, but he won't listen to me. If anyone knows my husband, they would know he can be quite stubborn. Lord knows I love the man to death but his stubbornness has caused a few fights between us.

Now, understand that I'm not complaining about taking care of my husband. I love doing it. I love helping him! BUT it does not help me when I've got a dog who is chewing off his bandages for his hotspots, taking care of our horse's trough since I thought it was leaking water, and my husband who doesn't listen to me and rest and/or take his meds when I tell him to.

I suppose he's really doing well if he's got the energy and strength to stain cabinets and clean the bathroom. I just didn't expect him to bounce back until Monday or Tuesday. Now I'm certainly not letting him get on ladders and scraping wallpaper or anything that would be extra work; he's agreed to only do easy stuff.  I constantly check on his pain and he says its just a dull, minor pain.

I know that this was a challenge that God put forth on us to guide us to further understand each other. This was a new experience for the both of us. I've never really took care of another person after they've gone through surgery or a painful procedure; it has been the other way for me growing up. It was nice, for a while, to feel needed by someone else and taking care of them for a change. It was certainly a new 'grown-up' experience for me and I'm happy, despite the struggles I've been going through, to have gone through this challenge. And I know it's been a struggle for Jared too. He usually doesn't like me helping or taking care of him because it makes him feel dependent. He's still learning to let go of his independent tendencies even after being with me for more than four years.

The night we got home from the hospital and we got him in a comfortable position, he wrapped his unbroken arm around me and said, "Thank you baby. You are so amazing for helping me get through it." It brought me to tears hearing him admit that he was thankful of my help. When I remind myself of that it helps me keep going and try not to fight him how I want things done but to work on a compromise for the both of us.

Here's Why You Should Get A Spouse

This is not to be taken too seriously but I had an 'aha' moment the other day.

I had a terrible migraine. You know, the kind that lasts for hours and hours; and all you want to do is just hide in a dark corner and die. You don't have the energy or encouragement to do anything. I was also in the middle of a project where I'm trying to drink a whole gallon of water every day so I was gong to the bathroom constantly. Every time I would get up from the couch my head throbbed and my vision would blur. It was not a fun day.

After a while I checked the clock and noticed my husband is about to get off from work so I texted him. I begged him to bring me ice cream from DQ. If my usual tricks don't work then I resort to ice cream. It's a sure way to relieve the pain.

My wonderful husband saved me and brought me my favorite blizzard from DQ. Bless him! This is why you should get a spouse. If you are by yourself and sick or having a terrible migraine, like me, it's always great when you have someone there, that's not your mother, taking care of you out of love. There was no way I was going to be able to focus and drive to DQ by myself.

I was a happy woman eating my ice cream while watch Alaska: The Last Frontier while snuggling with my wonderful hubby.

So Easy A Caveman Can...Well, You Know

You guys, I made the easiest, yummiest rustic bread on my first try too!

When I found this recipe on Pinterest I was doubtful. I've never made bread before and assumed to do that you have to be well versed in chemistry or it involved a bread-baking machine.

Not the case at all. It was so easy; only four ingredients and you will more likely have the majority of them in your pantry.

I promise it looked more lovely than this lump you see but that's because hubby and I ate half of it last night. It had and amazing crust on the outside but still soft and fluffy on the inside. I was utterly shocked I was capable of making my own bread.

I plan to make this a few more times before making other kinds of bread and add other ingredients. I am so excited to try this out some more.

Seriously, if you want to start making your own bread this recipe is a great start.

Go forth and make bread!

A Late Christmas Gift

Some of you may know that I've been dying to have a puppy/dog in the family. And for a while I've been giving my poor husband the ultimatum-a puppy or a baby.

So last night, he gave me a great late Christmas gift...Ranger.

 

He is a blue heeler/lab mix. Such a sweetheart who loves the attention. Some close friends of ours just had their baby girl and with their attention on her, plus their two other kiddos, Ranger wasn't getting the love and attention as much. They asked Jared if we could take him up it was the perfect opportunity to A. get me to shut up and B. for Jared to not be the only man in the house. Ranger is the perfect companion for Jared to work in the yard and for someone to cuddle with if I'm ever at home alone. Even Misty seems pleased with another animal to play in the yard. The only person not happy about the situation is Chloe, my cat who's been the only child for forever.

So far she refuses to come out from under the bed and when she does Chloe bolts for the cabinets in the kitchen, which is a no-no. Jared seems to believe it'll only be about a week or so until they become buddies; I say a few months. Chloe has stayed with my folks while I was in England and they had three dogs. She avoided them like the plague. We shall see who wins the bet.

It's going to be rough for a bit because we're having to teach him new rules and, for him, adjusting to a new home. But I'm thrilled and excited to make him part of our family.