Life's pivotal moments

There are times in each one of our lives that leave us changed forever. Moments when we are molded and shaped by our life's experiences. Moments where old chapters end and new chapters begin.

Over the course of my life time, I have had many pivotal moments, many new chapters in my life's book. The past year seems to fill my personal pages with such moments. There are so many changes taking place, not only spiritually, but physically, mentally, and emotionally.

After 12 years of being sick (more severely the past 5 years), I finally have answers, but more importantly solutions! My exploratory surgery, done on the 27th of March, revealed just what the doctor was suspecting. He found a left ectopic ureter (please read previous post for further explanation). Proceeding the surgery, they rushed me over to radiology to run tests on my kidney. The function of my kidney would determine what the best surgical option would be for me. The good news... it functions! The bad news... only about 40% of what is should.

The past several weeks have been a whirl-wind preparing for surgery number three, in less than three months. This surgery will be the most extensive and challenging of them all! Estimated recovery time is 4-6 weeks, 3 weeks of which I will have a FABULOUS catheter (I feel like I am 90... what 24 year old should have to wear a catheter for 3 weeks!). The doctor informed me that I was not allowed to drive and I was to stay home while I have the catheter. As if it was some questions that I would be out and about carrying my lovely pee bag around to show off as a souvenir from my surgery. No, I think I am rather content at home with such a prized possession.

Thankfully, the doctor can go over my old 4"scar (from my major surgery from childhood) because I was really not looking forward to adding another to the collection! I guess you won't find me out on the beach in my bikini this year (not that you would anyways). It is hard to imagine that by the time I am recovered, it will be June. I am pretty much out of commission for the entire month of May.

I have been keeping an extensive to-do list in attempt to make sure everything is in order before I go in for surgery. It is now the eve of the big day and the last thing left on my list is to blog about this pivotal moment in my life. This is a moment I have waited, hoped, and dreamed about. I will leave for the surgery tomorrow morning with all my urinary problems and return home with brand new plumbing. It is expected that I will no longer suffer from UTI's and Kidney infections, but only time will tell. Either way, I know this is a new chapter in my book, and one that I hope will be much healthier. It is a pivotal moment that I hope will lead to a chapter on motherhood.