July 24th

Well, it's been about a week or so since I updated anything, so for those of you just on the edge of your seat, here ya go.

First, the surgery update. My huge fear about looking ridiculous with huge blad spots turned out to be much ado about nothing, really. Yes, they shaved the areas around the cysts to be removed. No, it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. It is more like a buzz cut in those spots rather than a clean bald spot. So, while it's incredibly short, at least there is hair there, and therefore it's not as crazy looking as it could be. Well, not anymore. The day of surgery I had what can only be described as certifiably crazy woman looking hair. LOL! With the antiseptic wash they used, my hair kinda curled up like it tends to do when it gets wet. Then, on top of that they put lots of antibiotic ointment on the incision spots, so that caused the curls to get stiff. Add that to the fact that I had a major case of bed head, and you have a look that was eerily similar to those old bride of Frankenstein movies! It was driving me nuts!! I hate, hate, hate for my hair to be dirty so I was going nuts waiting until I could wash it. I actually cheated and washed it Saturday night instead of waiting until Sunday like I was supposed to. (Don't tell my doctor!) The last few days have been pretty good. For the most part, the incisions don't hurt. The stitches itch, but I am sure that's a lot of mental knowing they are there rather than actual, true itching. One spot bothers me more than others. Sometimes feels like a dull ache, similar to what it feels like after you get hit in the head. That's the spot where there were two cysts right next to each other. The surgeon mentioned to Daniel afterwards that there was a "double" that tried to give him trouble, so I guess that explains that spot being more painful than the others. When I talked to the surgeon on Monday, he said some of the cysts were tough to come out and he was glad I seemed to be doing well, he was worried I would be in more pain than I am. (I can thank my Dad's side of the family for my tough, stubborn streak.) The stiches come out on the 7th of August. And, I have an appointment with my genious hairstylist on the 8th!

Now, onto deployment news. Well, there's not a lot of new news on that front. We're getting things ready. A huge portion of what Daniel is taking is already gone, as I've mentioned before. According to someone in his unit,there will definately be a state wide send off ceremony on Saturday, August 16. Time and location TBA. That's actually the same day as a long-standing family reunion for my grandma's side of the family. But, I've already told her I will be at the deployment ceremony, as will my parents. Anyway, after the ceremony is over, Daniel should be free until the following Tuesday morning, when he goes to the unit at Weatherford for that week. Then he comes home Thursday and I'll take him back early Friday morning (or possibly, late Thursday) and then at some point Friday, they leave to head to Fort Hood. Still no word on whether there will be any time for him to come home after Hood and before heading overseas. I'm doing a family/friends "come home safe" reception for him on Sunday the 10th, in the afternoon at our church. I don't have invitations ready yet, but if you want one, drop me an email or leave me a comment and I will be sure to get the details to you.

OK, that's all for now. I've better wrap up this update and get on the road to work fairly soon. Glad today is Thursday....day and a half left of work before the weekend! yay!