Blessings In Disguise

First off, this post isn't going to be short, I'll try to spare you ALL the details, and it is DEFINITELY not intended for any kind of sympathy whatsoever! It is basically for record and to express how grateful I have been feeling lately.

With that said...here it goes.

I was working only two days a week at Dana Orthodontics, but on April 9th, I was able to quit...doctor's orders.
{Blessing number one!}

The reason behind it had to do with MY health issues, not so much the baby's.
I have epilepsy, and any seizures are usually caused by lack of sleep, and unfortunately, I haven't been able to get much of that lately. Anyway, April 9th Phil, Alex and I were driving home and stopped at the gas station to fill up. I had a very small seizure, they call a Petite Mal, {hands freeze, but I am still conscious and coherent} but not too big of a deal since I get them every once and a while, and after my surgery they aren't too disrupting at all. Phil noticed, held my hand, and when it was over he got out of the car to pump the gas...I then went into a Gran Mal, this one WAS a big deal, and I haven't had one in a very, very long time. Phil just held me and did the only thing he could do and waited it out. How grateful was I that he was with me!
{Blessing number two!}
-A quick little side note that I found amusing, and don't be afraid to laugh, but Alex noticed my seizing, and laughed at me saying, "Oh, Mom, you're so funny." Let's be honest, I think I would have laughed at myself too! {I've gotta keep a sense of humor about all of this, right?}

When we got home, Phil called my OB to see what we needed to do, and he told Phil to bring me into the hospital ASAP so they would be able to monitor the baby's vitals to make sure that no harm had come to her. {During seizures I tend to hold my breath, thus making it hard to get oxygen to the fetus.} Long story short, everything was fine, but they kept me there a while longer just to be safe, and it's a good thing they did...when all checked out, the doctor told me it was okay to leave and I could go ahead and get dressed. The next thing Phil heard from the restroom was a loud BANG! This was all a blur to me, since I was lying on the floor in another Gran Mal seizure. Phil ran to the hall to get help. The nurse then called a "Code Blue" {respiratory arrest} and within seconds 15 to 20 nurses and doctors arrived to help. The next thing I remember was a nurse holding me down, trying to get me to breath through an oxygen mask. I found this incredibly annoying, since I was breathing just fine on my own, and kept swatting her away! {I kept thinking, "Geez lady, take a hint!"} They quickly rushed me down for a CT scan, and found out that everything was okay, but decided to keep me over night to monitor the baby and me, do more tests, and see a neurologist in the morning. My doctor kept saying how it was a shame that I had had a second seizure, but how glad he was that it happened at the hospital, and I think Phil and I thought the same thing.
{Blessing number three!}

The next day I had an EEG, everything checked out, in fact a better than the EEG I had before my surgery.
{Blessing number four!}

I then saw the neurologist on call who was Dr. Elisabeth Sunderman, which happened to be MY neurologist that had left her practice to come work in the new hospital. I think I cried a little when I saw her. I love her. And she is actually the amazing one that suggested I have the brain surgery, which was one of the best decisions I have made. She remembered everything about me, all of the details of my medical history and was a HUGE help to my OB {I said she was amazing, right?}. Just before she left my room, I asked if she had any personal recommendations for a new neurologist, since she had just barely left the practice I was seeing her at. She then handed me her personal business card, told me that she was seeing a handful of "out patients" still, and told me that I was one of the lucky few! I cried a little {I'm pregnant and very fragile!} :)
{This is definitely Blessing number five!}

I was able to get in for an MRI that night. After reviewing the test, Dr. Sunderman told me that everything looked just fine, and in fact the space where they had surgically removed the bleeding "vascular malformation" had actually gotten much smaller. This is something wonderful for me to hear...I'm getting more brain back! Yay! Only joking. Like I said, I've got to keep this light!
{Blessing number six!}

I was then able to go home on a couple conditions: I quit my job {I cried, but these were tears of joy!}, I had to have someone with me at all times for a week {just in case something happened}, and the last {and WORST} condition was that I won't be able to drive for three months {DMV rules}. Although the last condition stinks, I've noticed it has helped me spend less money, but more importantly, I have been able to spend more time with my older sister as she drives me everywhere! We have always loved one another, but now we are close friends and REALLY enjoy being together.
{And that would be Blessing number seven!}

I've also realized what WONDERFUL family and friends I have! Everyone is so caring and willing to help in so many ways! And I couldn't be more grateful for all the yummy dinners that have come our way! A HUGE thanks goes out to our awesome ward and the all the love and support they have given. And I hope everyone realizes how much we have appreciated all that they do!
{Blessing number eight!}

But the one who has done the most and continues to do the most for me is Phil. I can't tell you how many times throughout our marriage, but especially now, that I have thought "HOW... Seriously, how did I ever get so blessed?!" I don't know how he manages to do so much. With a job that is VERY time consuming and also being the YM President, he still is able to and always puts his family first. And it is so easy to see how much he cares for and loves Alex, and I know he will be the same with this new baby girl. He is an incredible father and husband! And Phil deserves the biggest THANK YOU of all! I love you, babe!
{Blessing number nine!}

On to one of the most fun blessings...being home with Alex every single day. We are able to spend some serious quality time together before the baby comes, and that means a lot to me! That little spit-fire has a personality all her own, and manages to make me laugh constantly, which helps me look past any of the terrible two moments! And it is the most meaningful and rewarding thing to have my little girl come up to me, out of the blue, wrap her arms around me and tell me that she "loves me to my guts!!" I'm sorry, but there isn't anything better than that!
{BLESSING NUMBER TEN!}

But finally, through all of this, I have come to realize that sometimes the smallest blessings are the best and can be the most meaningful, it all just depends on how we view our ups and downs! And on that note, I'm going to bed!
I LOVE MY LIFE!