BLESSINGS

Growing up I remember getting father's blessings for different occasions like the first day of school or when we felt like we needed it. When my dad was ex-communicated, I figured father's blessings were things of the past. He has since been baptized again and has had his priesthood restored, but due to our history I don't know if I will ever get a blessing from him again. We are taking baby steps towards restoring our relationship, but at this point I just wouldn't feel comfortable. Which is why I am so thankful to have a wonderful husband (and awesome brothers) who can give me blessings.

I was feeling kind of crappy Sunday when I woke up. My neck hurt all day and I just figured I slept on it wrong or had a pinched nerve due to the way I was sleeping. By Sunday night I was in so much pain that I couldn't sleep. Hmmm.....familiar. I was going to make a doctors appointment first thing Monday morning, but actually got a half hour massage instead. We have a massage therapist that helps with our patients. We've worked out a deal with her and the company so that she comes in every Monday and gives the employees half hour massages. She kept commenting on how tight my neck and back were. I felt better right after she was done, but about ten minutes later regretted getting the massage because it started to hurt even worse. So, I made an appointment with our family doctor and later that afternoon went home with muscle relaxers. He mentioned I had a temp and asked if I felt ok. At that point I did (other than my neck and shoulders) so he just said if I started to feel worse, call them and they would call in an antibiotic for me.

Due to being in so much pain, I asked the Bubs and my little brother for a blessing. For some reason I don't ask the bubs for blessings probably as much as I should. I know he loves to give them to me and loves it when I ask for them, but I just don't think about it. But, I hurt so bad and knew that between the blessing, a heating pad, muscle relaxers and icy hot, I was sure to feel some relief soon. And I started too, for a little bit. Around ten that night my right side started to hurt so bad I thought I was going to die (way worse than than the C02). I tried to wait it out and just go back to the doctor on Tuesday, but ended up waking up the bubs about five in the morning so we could go the ER. After two CT scans, an ultrasound and X-ray it came back that I had an infection and pleural effusion (where fluid builds up between the lungs and diaphragm) which is extremely painful. Two prescriptions and some pain meds later, I was discharged (after about six hours in the ER).

I am so thankful for blessings in our lives. Not only for priesthood blessings, but also for things we take for granted like insurance through our employers. We are lucky enough to have insurance through bubs work. I do complain about having to pay for it each pay period because the majority of the time we never use it. But after surgery and all the complications I've had due to the surgery, I am SOOO thankful for that cushion. Otherwise, the bills that are starting to come in could completely cripple us. I'm also thankful for flexible spending account programs through work. It sucks paying into them, but sure nice to get a hefty check back in the mail! It's the small things we take for granted. I'm also so thankful for a husband who honors his priesthood and can give me blessings when I need them. Just another reason why I love him so much. He's really stepped up the past couple of weeks and didn't complain once while waiting in the ER with me. I know he loves fussing over me, but after having to do it for pretty much two weeks straight, I'm glad he'll still put up with me!