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Saturday, March 29, 2008

Giggling Granny

Yesterday morning Gene, Alivia and I spent the day in Omaha which is an hour away . Two years ago my husband started having back pain and has had enough. Physical therapy, 2 rounds of steroid injections, a discogram and many pain killers later he is going to have surgery Thursday, April 3rd. Yes, two days before Baby Girl is due. Postponing surgery isn't an option to prevent permanent nerve damage, plus the man is in pain 24/7. So yesterday we had all day appointments for all of the pre-op stuff. So informative, but my brain is on education overload because as soon as we got back into town Alyssa and I had to go to her last Lamaze class.
My neighbor's mother, Nancy blessed us with private classes. She has been teaching for over 30 years and this was her gift to Alyssa...so sweet! The first class, a few weeks ago for some reason as soon as we got to the part that I had to help her with her breathing I got a BAD case of the giggles. Poor Nancy thought I was crying which made me laugh harder until I actually did have tears streaming down my face as she reassured me that "all Grandma's feel like this Lelia, you're just reliving when you had your babies."
What made me have to excuse myself from class though and go to the bathroom to regroup is when Alyssa looked at me as a mom looks at her out of control child and asked,
"What is wrong with you?".
So yesterday I was determined to be on my best behavior. What I failed to mention earlier is that for 2 nights in a row I had worked until 2:30am and got up early both Thursday and Friday mornings. I'm trying to get much in order in the office before taking time off to be with Gene pre & post-op. So needless to say, Friday at Lamaze after spending hours between the hospital and doctor's offices with Gene, Lelia was very tired.
With Gene there was only one time when I laughed and that was toward the end of the day. He had to have a physical done by a doctor we had never met and when we did meet him... he was just interesting. Short with the type of body shape that would look perfect in a Santa suit, he had dark thick-rimmed glasses on and and did something weird with his lips. Then I noticed he had braces and he was just trying to keep his lips over them as he kept sucking the extra saliva back into his mouth. He started questioning Gene and then interrupted him when the phone on the wall begin to ring. When he loudly answered "YO!" it was all I could do to maintain maturity so I just looked down at my shoes and counted my lace holes. Then after he hung up he asked Gene to lie down on the table and every time he touched Gene he would close his eyes. It was just funny. Afterwards when he gave Alivia stickers for being so good, I wanted to ask for the one that said "AWESOME" because I was just that!
Okay, back to Lamaze...this last class we had out at Nancy's beautiful home. After taking a brief tour we started class with a review. All of a sudden, my eyes were so heavy. I felt like I did when I was young the day after a Saturday night slumber party trying to keep my eyes opened in church.
Oh it was so tough and being the retired middle school teacher that Nancy is, I know she caught me with my eyes closed and head jerking a few times as I was falling asleep. But I didn't laugh...until Nancy explained to Alyssa how to handle constipation if she gets it after she gives birth. I just have to quote this because I don't even know how to re-word it, "You probably won't get any Alyssa, but if you do, you just take the suppository and stick it up your anus and you'll be fine."
Now keep in mind I have worked in health care for over 15 years. Many of those years in home health care and so I have even done for others exactly what Nancy told Alyssa to do. No big deal. But yesterday, with only 2 hours of sleep under my belt I just could not handle her verbal instruction. I felt like a pre-teen squirming and giggling during their first Birds and Bees talk. I hid the lower part of my face behind the couch pillow I had in my lap as I tried to keep it together.
Focus, focus. I lassoed my thoughts and giggles quickly and sat there as the mature adult that I am and made sure to avoid all eye contact with Nancy or Alyssa. Back to counting the laces holes in my tennis shoes.
Then we started doing some more breathing and when sweet Nancy asked me to participate, simply put...I lost it. It made me sad that I was giggling so hard---you know when you can't talk or breathe and the tears are flowing type of giggling? Alyssa and Nancy started laughing too. Then Nancy tried to move forward and Alyssa rudely interrupted Nancy to ask, "Can she leave or something? Seriously, Mom you need to go to the bathroom or something." I didn't try arguing as I could tell these giggles were not done running their course and also because I couldn't talk. As I got up off the couch Nancy was laughing as she said, "Just come back when you feel like it. There's some pictures you can look at in there."
I was laughing so hard and my vision was blurred from the tears that all I could do was nod my head as I left the room. As I leaned over the sink, I looked into the mirror and asked the same question Alyssa had asked me 2 weeks earlier...
"What is wrong with you?"
So...this upcoming week I'm really just trusting that God works out ALL the details of this craziness.
Gene's surgery is a major one...3-4 hours long as they are fusing the bottom discs together which will leave him with 6 screws and rods and months of recovery ahead of him. We will spend the night in Omaha Wednesday night as he has to check into the hospital at 5:30am. My sister is spending the night with our kids and getting the 2 youngest to school for us.
Gene wants me to be with Alyssa when she goes into labor, but I want to be with both of them. After surgery on Thursday, Gene will be in the hospital for 3-4 days. Did I mention he'll be in Omaha which is an hour away?
So, for ME, it would be ideal if Alyssa doesn't have the baby until Gene is back home OR she is born tonight! Only God knows when Miss Amiyah will be making her grand entrance into our lives, but I pray He remembers to look at my planner first!
Also, please pray that I'm mature when Gene's surgeon talks to me post-op and also during labor for Alyssa. I don't want to be kicked out of either hospital room and sent to the bathroom!
Everyone of you who left a comment on my last post...WOW!!
Alyssa, Gene and I were all just overwhelmed & blessed.
Thank you all so much for the prayers, love, concern and just being Jesus to our family.
I love you all.
~Many Blessings~
Lelia

14 comments:

Kelley said...

That is so funny! You know laughter is a coping mechanism and it sounds like you are just coping with a lot of things! It's better than weeping uncontrollably or screaming at everyone :) I remember when I went into labor with my first baby, I called my mom to tell her I was having very painful contractions and she cracked up laughing! That made me laugh which made the contractions hurt more. I will be praying about all of these events in your life and that you can get through them with grace, meanwhile make sure you are wearing shoes with laces. LOL!

Love & Prayers,
Kelley

Yolanda said...

Lelia:

WOW, Girlfriend, you have a full plate. My husband also had back surgery in November of 1999, in the midst of us selling one of our business'. It was then, that I cried out to God and said I could no longer walk this world alone.

Anyway....I'm praying!

God's got you covered!

Love to you,
Yolanda

Laura said...

I laughed out loud with you as I read this! I have been there, girl! don't you hate when the giggles grab you just when the situation calls for maturity? This will be a precious memory for the baby book, I am sure. Definitely will pray for you and your sweet Gene. And Alyssa, of course. You have some big times coming up, Dearest! Consider yourself covered!
Laura

Sherlyn said...

Giggle fits always come at the most inapporpriate times...don't you just hate that! I will be praying for you and your family during this time! Keep us posted.
Sherlyn

Mrs.Naz@BecomingMe said...

That is so funny. SOmetimes the Lord knows that we just need to let loose with a good laugh. I am sorry to learn about your husband's back surgery. My husband had back surgery on Feb 26th. It's tough but so worth it. Chronic pain is so limiting.

Kimberly said...

It is late, and I SOOOO need to go to bed, but I can't leave without commenting! I am so glad your sweeties precious tiny little heart is going to be okay! Thank You, Lord!
And, I am so glad that we serve El Roi, the God who sees. He sees exactly how all of the details are going to work out over these next few days. He is Jehovah Rapha, your husband's Healer. He is Jehovah Jireh, the Lord God your Provider!
I am praying for you, sweet giggling Granny! You and all of your loved ones!

Heather said...

Great post, Leila! You are all in my prayers - if there is anything else i can do for you during this time, please don't hesitate to ask!

You'll be a great birthing coach, i'm sure! I came across this verse from the list of labor & delivery verses from Mrs. Figard - Ecclesiastes 4:9,10a, “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, his friend can help him up.” You will definitely have a good return, Birthing Coach! What a blessing of a return!

~Heather

Rhonda said...

Leila - What a wonderful way to cope with all of this 'stress' and 'busyness'. Laughing has got to be better than crying.

It's really cute how your daughter is getting 'fed up' with your actions.

I pray that everything transpires smoothly and that God gives you supernatural energy and strength to do everything that you need to do for all of your loved ones.

Take care of yourself!

Love ya,

Rhonda

Anonymous said...

Lelia,
They say that "laughter is the best medicine" what a way to handle all of the stress of the new granddaughter & your husbands surgery. I always love the look of confusion on my families face when I get to the point of hysterical laughing. It is better than a nervous breakdown!!! Hang in there!!

Kim from PA
**followed your blog from Lysa Terkuerst

Pamela (His maidservant) said...

Lelia-you are too funny and yes I have been there. Having a lack of sleep makes me giddy. You sound so incredibly busy this next week. I will pray for you daily, for perfect timing between your husbands surgery and your grandbabies entrance. I will be praying for the surgeon as he works on your husband and your husband as he recovers and returns to a better state of health, for the health and delivery of your grandbaby and daughter and especially for your strength, endurance and emotional well being as you walk through each day!!
Blessings dear frind!!
In His Graces~Pamela

Julie said...

Goodness Lelia, What a busy time you are in. I can't wait to hear of your sweet granddaughter's birth.

Keep us posted on how your husband is doing.

Praying for everything to fall into place!

Love,
Julie

Rachelle said...

Is it any wonder you're feeling the way you do??? You'll be fine. When they all need you, God will give you strength.

Jodie Wolfe said...

If you have a few minutes, I would love your input on my blog in regards to the ten struggles that Christian women face. Thank you!

Amy said...

Lelia, that is soo funny!:)
I have been at home with my husband and two boys for over 16 years now, so I have developed what I consider to be the sense of humor of a twelve year old boy.
We were in Sunday school class not long ago when another couple were "sneaking" in a little late. As they were trying to quietly open the door to our class it made this creaking noise that sounded like someone "relieving" themselves.:) I probably don't have to tell you that I was the only 38 year old woman in the class giggling.....:) That is what happens I guess after being a stay at home, homeschooling mom to two boys.:)
I will be praying for your husband, your daughter, and you.
God Bless!
Amy:)