Paige, Nurse Paige

An explanation: A few years ago (2 or more), Glen noticed a lump on his neck. He used to have me feel it all the time. We always assured him it was just a fatty tumor, something that myself and my brother also have, so he never got it checked out. This last December he noticed it was getting bigger so he decided to make an apt and get it checked out. Doctors did an ultrasound and biopsy and said it was not cancerous (thank heavens), but because of where it was located it needed to be removed.

So yesterday was the big day. I had never met the doctor or even had a chance to talk to him and ask him MY questions. When he introduced himself to me he told us a little bit about the surgery and how long it would take. Three hours later i'm sitting next to my husband with a big Frankenstein cut in his face, drain in his neck, blood and iodine everywhere, and I'm trying to hold back tears. Let's just say I was in complete shock. I was not prepared at all for the magnitude of the cut and thus the scar that will eventually develop. I will blame my emotions on pregnancy, but add those hormones and mix it with nurse Faith, and lets just say we could have had a major breakdown in the post op area.

The doctor explained that the tumor was rather large and had wrapped itself all the way down and around his nerve. He said it was lucky the tumor was removed now, otherwise there could have been serious nerve damage to the entire left side of his face. (As soon as glen started waking up I asked him to smile just so I could be assured his face was still normal and could still move). Anyway, lesson is.... when something is not right, get it checked out. No need to wait two years for the thing to get bigger. We are feeling very lucky and blessed to know it was not cancerous and that they got it removed just in time to avoid any serious damage and that everything is going to be fine.  (cue in the MoTab choir singing hallelujah)

I have a new appreciation for nurses, nurses like Dawn, Margo and Kathy..... certainly not Faith. Today Glen was released from the hospital. On our way home we made sure to pick up some food, his prescriptions, and some first aid stuff for his neck. It didn't take long before I realized being a nurse is hard. Especially a nurse to my man. Not that he was a bad patient or anything, but mercy!

Next time around when I'm the patient and am sick or having a baby, I will try and let whoever wants to take care of me, take care of me. I mean who doesn't love being babied? I sure do! When told to take my medicine, i'll do it. When instructed not to submerge my gaping wound into water, i'll listen. When asked what I want to eat, I will tell exactly what I want to eat, no guessing game required. When told I can't go to the dentist, bank, or pedicure place, i will listen and instead just take a nap.  Not that Glen has been difficult with any of the above! :) (but yes he really did want to get a pedicure and keep his dentist apt for tomorrow morning, no worries i called and cancelled that thing immediately)

Glen Preston Hughes I love you. Gaping hole in the side of your face and x amount of stitches and all. I love you no matter what. You are the best thing to ever happen to me.
xoxo

Visiting Glen at the hospital

Finally home, checking out the new face. :)