My Coming-Out Party

My "coming out" party - in honor of my gallbladder - was a huge success.

Early Friday morning, I headed off to the local hospital, where I checked in and the gallbladder checked out.

Getting knocked out by general anesthesia pretty much terrifies me...so I was a tad-bit nervous Friday morning.

Heck, who am I kidding...??! I didn't sleep AT ALL Thursday night, and I was more than a "tad-bit" nervous...I was a nervous WRECK by the time I arrived at the hospital.

Imagine my surprise when a pastor from my church showed up at the hospital, which was a HUGE relief and blessing...I needed a calm, reassuring voice to alleviate some of my fears, and Rich was most definitely calm and reassuring.

If anyone ever wonders if pastoral visits to hospitals make a difference, I can resoundingly say, "YES!" They do.

After the surgery, I went home, where I've pretty much taken to my bed and not left it. Recovery is going well, but a little slow.

Friday afternoon, a card arrived in the mail...

It was a get well card, signed by the Red Cross volunteers I had worked with while deployed to New Jersey.

And while it was such a simple thing, it touched me beyond belief...actually bringing tears to my eyes that they would take time out of their crazy, busy days to send me a card.

If anyone ever wonders if get-well cards make a difference, I can resoundingly say, "YES!" They do.

The simple things...visits...phone calls...cards...Facebook messages...all make a difference when someone is under the weather.

And as for me...a few more days of rest...and I should be good to go. Well. Not running any 5K's soon, but I hope to at least be able to walk from the bedroom to the kitchen without wanting to pass out.

Peace.