No more movies before bed

Michael had an interesting dream the other day.

He dreamed that we were asleep in bed, when the Joker walked in.

So Michael jumped up on the bed and whipped out two butcher knives. He yelled, "Quick, Breanne! Call Bruce Wayne!"

We keep laughing about it.

Michael talks in his sleep all the time. Crazy stuff. Of course, if I heard him say, "Call Bruce Wayne..." in his sleep, I'd be just as confused. It helps to know he was facing down the Joker at the time.

Joking

Last night Michael and I were driving home, and we passed by a new gym they just built called "Anytime Fitness." And when I saw it I said, "huh, Anytime Fitness. I wonder when we could go there."

And then I laughed and laughed and laughed... and I was so confused as to why Michael just smiled politely. This morning I said, "Hey, what was that funny joke I made last night on the way home?" And when he reminded me I thought, "That's not that funny."

It was very disappointing. Then I remembered what we said a few minutes later, when Michael was talking about what kind of dog he wants to get for the 15th time that day. Dogs are all he's been talking about, he instant-messages me about them when I'm at work, he chats about them over dinner, and obviously, while we're driving in the car he wants to tell me about what he learned about this breed and that breed. I know it's really important to him, but I couldn't resist teasing him a little. I said, "You want a dog to snuggle - why not use me? At least I don't poop on the floor."

And Michael took my hand and said, "Thank you for that, by the way."

I am still giggling about that this morning.

New niece

Yesterday Michael and I got a new niece!

Her name is Abigail Joan, or Abbie-Jo. We hear that she and mom are doing well, and that she is a pretty "chill" little girl (that means laid back). She was born in Maryland, and is child #2 for Chris and Camille, her older brother Ian is a little over 2 years old.

All about my husband...

I saw this on a friend's blog. I couldn't resist the temptation to do it myself. Sorry.

1. Where did you meet your husband?
At the lunch tables in high school. He sat down next to me and put his head on the table, and I started scratching his back. That's how we met.


2. How long did you date before you got married?
We dated for four months, then we were engaged for five.


3. How long have you been married?
Since May 2004. Our 5th anniversary is coming up.


4. What does he do to surprise you?
He does nice things for me around the house. I'll come home and he'll have cleaned up the whole living room or done all of the dishes.


5. What is your favorite physical feature of his?
His hands. They are strong and handsome and gentle and perfect. Well, he has a crooked pinky, so not perfectly perfect. I also love his forehead. I hope all of my kids get his handsome forehead.


6.What is your favorite quality?
He really listens when I talk about my concerns, and he really tries to help me with them. He loves me very much.


7. Does he have a nickname for you?
Stink or stinky. We think it's funny. We don't say it around other people.


8. What is his favorite food?
Cafe Rio.


9. What is his favorite sport?
Soccer.


10. When and where did you first kiss?
July 11, 2001. On a hill in Draper. Afterwards, he apologized for kissing like a fish. He didn't, by the way. I had a guy kiss me like a fish once, and I had to break it off later that night.


11. What is your favorite thing to do as a couple?
We like to see movies. We also like carpooling.


12. Do you have children?
No.


13. Does he have any hidden talents?
In high school at lunch one day I saw him rip an apple in half with his bare hands. I thought it was hot.


14. How old is he?
26


15. Who said I love you first?
Michael. Because it was the first thing he ever said to me, that day when I scratched his back at the lunch tables. He lifted his head off the table, looked at me and said, "I love you." Then he put his head back down.


16. What is his favorite music?
The short answer is alternative rock. The latest favorite is Coldplay.


17. What do you admire most about him?
His ability to work hard for long periods of time, or over long stretches of time. He can get so much done, I think it's amazing. He is also very kind.


18. What is his favorite color?
In high school it was yellow. Now he says it's blue.


19. Will he read this?
Eventually.


20. People I tag.
Anyone.

The Culprit!

Say hello to my left kidney stone! This seemingly innocent chunk of minuscule ragged stone was captured today at approximately 2 pm. Authorities had been on the lookout for this stone ever since yesterday at about 6:30am, when it viciously attacked an innocent girl and robbed her of a perfectly lovely Friday and Saturday. Don't be fooled by its meager appearance, folks, this little guy is dangerous and can lay even the bravest of men flat on their backs. It has been detained and is being held for further investigation pending the return of my urologist from where-o-wherever he went this weekend.

My right kidney stone is still at large since it went missing last month during a tragically useless operation to have it removed. It is suspected that the right and left kidney stones have been in cahoots for some time, and now that the left stone has been captured, we are hopeful that the right stone will be stopped before any more harm can be done. The authorities are asking everyone to keep an eye out for my right kidney stone, as it may still be armed and dangerous.

Stones a'plenty

The stone in my left kidney got loose and started wreaking havoc on me today. (Remember, the stone in my right kidney has been the one causing all of the trouble up until now. The stone in my left kidney was just lying dormant until today). My urologist didn't think that the left stone would come loose for months. Lucky me. The ER gave me some more painkillers (enough to put out a small horse, my nurse told me) and told me to go home and see if it comes out in the next few days. So this is basically a repeat of what happened last month. My worst nightmare would be that they have to put in another stint, this time on the left side. Hopefully it won't come to that. I still haven't seen the right stone, either. Wish me luck.

Happy Holidays

Since my last post some very nice things happened. I got to hang out with my whole family a couple of times - Christmas and New Year's day. I'm inclined to say that I liked New Year's better because my sister hosting the party decided it should be a pajama party - and any day I don't have to get dressed is a good day. I really liked the lax attire, and I'm tempted to move that all further family get-togethers be PJ-mandatory. Well, come to think of it, my sisters can put together some pretty cute outfits, and I'd hate to deprive them of the chance to show a little style.

The real big day was December 30th: stint-removal day. It wasn't what I expected, in that I expected some pain-killers first. I didn't get any, and I should just probably leave it to your imagination as to how it went. Suffice it to say, it was bad. Looking back, I do sort of feel a sense of accomplishment now in that I got through it somehow, and that I didn't spontaneously combust (if my body physically manifested what was going on mentally, that is what would have happened).

With the stint removed, things have been better. I have stopped bleeding (internally), and I can stand for longer periods of time without hurting myself. I even was able to return to work, though I am trying to do a light schedule. I still have some abdominal pain, but it is usually tolerable. Worse than that, I am still struggling with nausea and I don't know why. My doctor likes to blame my nausea on everything but his area of involvement ("maybe you have the flu?"). I'm thinking of seeing a general practitioner this week for some second opinions. The kidney stones are still inside of me, and as my brother says, I'm like a 'ticking time-bomb' because they could come down any time. If a stone does come out, you'll all be the first to know.

This year I didn't send out any Christmas cards, and I don't have any New Year's Resolutions. It seems a bit less festive than years past, but I'm at peace with it because I'm doing the best I can with things the way they are. I love you all and hope that the season finds you well.

Getting better

I've been thinking of this song so much lately.

Back when the Beatles were touring, Ringo got sick, and they had to use a replacement drummer for some of their shows. Fans were worried that the new drummer might actually end up replacing Ringo. The new drummer, what's-his-name, got a lot of criticism and hostile treatment because of this. One day in rehearsals, the guys asked what's-his-name how he was doing, and he replied, "It's getting better." This song is based on his response.


I like the song because I think it describes me pretty well lately. I am okay if I don't try to move or stand or go anywhere. A couple of times in the last week, I tried to leave the house because I thought I was well enough. The first time, I started bleeding internally a lot; the second time, I got a pain in my back where my kidney is that hasn't quite gone away yet. Hurt me twice... shame on me. Learned my lesson? Hopefully. If I stay still and laying down, I usually feel okay, which is deceptive because I start to wonder if maybe I've gotten better. But every time I get up it hurts bad enough that I realize it was a bad idea. I never thought I could be this invalid.

So I'm not entirely okay... but some things are getting better:
1. As I've learned, the Family Medical Leave Act protects me from losing my job if I'm out for being sick, so I'm not allowed to worry about that anymore (according to my sister). I discussed the situation with my boss, and we're going to see how I'm doing the week after I get the stint out to see if I can make it back in.

2. Michael finished his last final on Thursday morning. So he's been able to take care of me a lot, and will even wake up out of a deep sleep if I tell him that I need help. He's also on his Christmas vacation this weekend, and doesn't have to return to work until next Thursday night, woo hoo!

3. Since I stopped taking the antibiotic a few days ago, I haven't been as nauseous anymore. That is a huge improvement. My appetite has returned and everything digestive is getting much better.

4. I am really looking forward to Christmas. I get to see a lot of my family and we get to eat yummy food.

So: it's getting better. I've made it through a whole week with this blasted stint in, and next Tuesday I get to have it taken out. I haven't seen the stone come out yet, but it's still got a lot of time to get moving.

I hope everyone is having a great holiday season!

Surgery blues

The doctor didn't get the stone. It turns out that the stone is smaller than we thought, and when the doctor saw it in the tube, it actually floated away, back up into my kidney before he could get it. He said that the tube connecting my kidney to my bladder (the ureter) is really small and tight, and even though the stone was small, the tube was so tight that it couldn't make it into my bladder. So he put a stint in, which is enlarging my ureter tube, so that hopefully it's easy for the stone to float down into my bladder and then finally out. He says that he usually leaves in stints for a few days, but he wants to leave mine in for two weeks to give the stone a good chance of getting out. I have an appointment for Dec 30th to get it out.

This has been incredibly frustrating and painful. I can feel the stint in my body. It causes a lot of discomfort and makes me sick to my stomach. Most people can't do anything until they get their stint out, but my job at the library can't spare me for all of the time that the stint will be in, and I have to figure out some way to get in to work so that I don't lose my job. The stress of that coupled with feeling constantly sick and having crazy pain whenever I have to go to the bathroom makes everyday pretty hellish.

Everyone is being really sweet and trying to call to see how I'm doing, and it's so nice to know that you care. But most of the time I feel like crying when I hear the phone ring, so sorry if you haven't talked with me in awhile. Michael will be done with finals tomorrow, and then has a few days off of work, so hopefully that will help make things a little less tight around here. I hope everyone is having a good holiday season. Hopefully I will feel better soon.

Another Update

I'm scheduled for surgery tomorrow (Monday) morning. They don't know yet if they will take out both stones or just the one that's stuck close to my bladder. My urologist will x-ray me before the surgery and make the decision then.
I've managed to stay out of the ER so far this weekend. It's not painful to take a deep breath anymore, so I think my lungs are doing better. Also we found an anti-nausea patch that Doug used after his surgeries, and it has been working really well with me. Not being so nauseated or throwing up often, I've been able to keep more water down, so that is helping with my dehydration.
They will probably release me from the hospital as early as Monday afternoon. Michael has a final project due tomorrow, so he won't come to the hospital with me. My mom is taking work off to take me there and drive me home afterward, so if anyone is wondering how the procedure went, you can give her a call.