How I became a patient in the maternity ward, and liked it, and even got a tour

My Life (almost)

I actually really am like Madeline now! I got my appendix out. I don't really believe the idea that it's a useless body part. But good riddance, anyway. I'll never have THAT bad experience again.

So, yeah, whatever, Sunday-Monday was pretty bad. I don't think my body absorbed any nourishment at all, despite my husband's heroic attempts to revive me. I've been feeling pretty weird these couple months anyway, so I just thought I had a bug in addition to the usual weirdness. Sadly, by the time I got to the ER I couldn't really sit in a chair anymore, but was sort of wallowing and gasping, all very unappealing. Happily, they hooked me up to an IV right away, and in the course of the night I absorbed 3.5 liters of fluid, wooo! Three and a half (!?).

A cool thing! I got my first ultrasound! They were looking for the appendix but couldn't see it. heehee. Little less space down there than usual. Matt and I did get to see little Lentil quite clearly, though! Little honeymoon souvenir is pretty amazing as always, just hanging out, flexing and moving limbs and probably having a party. I stopped writhing and gasping enough to say, ooooh!!! how amazing!!! how wonderful!!! look! 11 weeks along now. We could see a face and arm and quick little heart. Fun stuff. 

Surgery is a weird experience, of course. Me to the doctor who left his house to come cure me in the middle of the night: "Oh wow, so, I'm having surgery tonight? Wow. Ok. Sure."

Me to the nurse: "I'm not really in that much pain, you don't have to give me anything, up to you."
Me to the nurse a minute later: "Wow, that stuff really works. I feel like I had a whole beer. How did you know I needed that? I think I can finally rest now." Then I slept for 3 hours in the ER bed. Well, kinda, I woke up each hour when the medicine wore off, just to throw up and get more medicine and go back to sleep. Poor Matthew just had to sit in the chair and pray.

In the operating room they asked me to tell my name, birthday, and what procedure they were doing all with that silly gas mask on. "My name is Mary Alisa, and it used to be Techentin like it says on my bracelet but really my name is Duchek because we got married. And my birthday is this, and I'm so relieved I'm not scared of this surgery, you see I've always been afraid of having a c-section, and afraid of operations, but now I realize..." But they interrupted me.
"Ok. We're not doing a c-section. This is an appendectomy You're going to sleep now." Dang, I didn't finish answering the too-easy questions.
"I'm not afraid. I trust you all. You're great. It's going to be fine."
"Yep, it's going to be fine, it's going to be fine." A chorus.

A moment later I woke up and felt better! It was amazing, instant relief! I kept telling the nurses how wonderful they were and how lovely their hospital is and they're really good at their jobs. I really wanted them to know how grateful I felt. I remember I even tried to cry with relief but it sounded too ugly so I quit.

They wheeled me into the Mom/Baby recovery room (was that chance? or irony? or intentional?) around 3:30 AM I guess and I waved at Matt and smiled and started rambling again about this amazing hospital where they fixed me instantly and the wonderful nurses and doctors and how they're all so good at their jobs. And I was sooooo happppyyyyyy.

This hospital room, though! Almost like a hotel room. By the way, this is the hospital where we'd most logically want to have baby. Wood floors, spacious, comfy furniture. And the entire North wall was just windows overlooking the gorgeous gorgeous foothills. I got to see the big night sky from my hospital bed. And the sunrise, and everything. Ah. lovely. And then I had a BREAKFAST SMORGASBORD! So exciting to someone who hasn't eaten in two days. But I'm always excited about breakfast even on normal days. And then a LUNCH SMORGASBORD. And Matthew finally got to sleep. It had been a couple sleepless nights, so I think he appreciated that.

My nurses were lovely and gave us a tour of the labor/delivery wing, too. Fits nicely with some ideas of birth plans in my imagination. So that's my story about how I learned to appreciate hospitals and IVs and not be scared of surgery and also many more useful things. And I'll NEVER HAVE APPENDICITIS AGAIN. THE END.

p.s. Matthew is taking good care of me and I'm fine and everyone's fine, thank you, and getting better every day, and yes I am resting all the time and continuously drinking water and also resting.
p.p.s. Thanks to Jennifer and Aurelia for the roses and sorbet and to Jessica for the yummy home-cooked dinner!!!

Small Victories

Children unexpectedly doing things right.

Babysitting. During lunch I mention that I love avocado. I think it's amazing. I let the kiddo try it. Later, mom sends me a text, "Thank you for getting [four-year-old daughter] to try avocado again! She has refused to eat it for a year. So random, but she said she loves it now"

Sweet. One small victory at a time.

A seven-year-old and I are doing math worksheets together outside, sitting on a trampoline. Because that's where we like to be, and so we can keep an eye on the baby chickens, of course, who are getting acclimated to the big outdoors where the only heat lamp is the sun. She's getting cranky, so I ask her if she wants to do one more page of addition or go eat a burrito (you see my food-is-good philosophy). She chooses math. What! Ok, cool.

Later, poor little four-year-old sister has been crying all afternoon and I'm in a mood to give her anything that will make her happy. She perks up and asks if I'll read her more Bible stories. Yeah, babe, you got it!

Loving work. Love, from Mary

Annus Fidei - Year of Faith

First flowers of our Colorado mountain springtime.

I became Catholic during a really cool time in the Church. Pope Benedict XVI announced a Year of Faith, saying, "reflection on the faith will have to be intensified, so as to help all believers in Christ to acquire a more conscious and vigorous adherence to the Gospel" (see the apostolic letter for the quote). I always thought that was really beautiful, so I spent the year meditating on that theme and specifically praying to God for more faith.

Easter is coming again (ooh, feel the electricity!), and I have been Catholic for nearly one year. I'd like to comment on that, and respond to some typical questions I've been hearing lately.

Like this one. "So, do you still hold on to some of your Protestant upbringing? Like, you haven't bought into everything, have you?"

Or simply, "how do you like it?"

Or even, "how do you feel about getting married in a Catholic Church?"

I looked back on what I said before I was Catholic, and I think I need to make a declaration now.  I had doubts and disagreements with the Church, but they relaxed with the grace I experienced in the Sacraments. The Catholic understanding of the Sacraments as effective instruments of grace is real. I prayed about lots of issues (prayers to Saints, relationship with Mary, indulgences, the priesthood, the hierarchy, sexuality, apostolic succession, whatever is typical). It doesn't matter what, specifically, because I received the faith I asked for on every count. I am a believer. I love the Church. I am completely and totally committed to her. I made my choice willingly and I have no disagreements with her. I am Catholic on purpose.

I read the Catechism and I believe and support everything in it. Its explanation of Scripture, faith, and morals, are as rich as you can get. I read the Bible and it sounds Catholic (or sounds neutral sometimes).

My fiancé and I are going through lots of good Catholic marriage preparation and we are totally in concordance with the Church. We agree with the Church's understanding of marriage, and we are delighted and enthusiastic that we get to administer the Sacrament of Marriage to each other within a full Mass. Our excitement probably borders on annoying (sorry, people).

Mary. Is a great confirmation saint to me. I feel squeamish about a lot of folk practice of Marian devotion, as present in certain Latin American syncretism, for example. But, whatever. Official Church teaching about Mary is helpful, beautiful, and full of deep wisdom, even if it is intensely mysterious to me. My favorite devotional pictures and paintings feature Mary. I do occasionally pray to Mary.

"Do you still think you can pray right to God or do you think you have to go through a priest at confession and things like that?" Um, yes, and yes, and yes, of course. Do you know what I mean?

I used to wonder if I would regret this commitment. What angst! I didn't know the peace that was in store for me. Well, it's been a year, and I love what I've chosen better than ever and more all the time.