Southern CA

IMG_4576We drove down to Southern California on Tuesday morning and the drive went rather smoothly for most of the way down.  On our way out of SF, we drove through the eastern span of the Bay Bridge one last time before it would be closed permanently the next day.  It’s kinda sad but really necessary to get rid of this section.

IMG_4578 IMG_4584Our car was also at full capacity with Kumquat, Koa, and my mom in the backseat.

IMG_4585We made a lunch stop at In N Out in Santa Nella instead of Kettleman City.  It looks pretty new and everything was so clean and empty when we were there.

IMG_4591At the 5-hour mark, we encountered some major traffic.  It was in the Grapevine and the sign said there would be an 8-mile backup with everyone merging in to the left lane.  We were at such a snail’s pace.  When I looked at our Google Maps instructions, it said to to exit Quail Rd and take some side streets.  Taking a desperate chance, we listened and totally won!  Part of it was a little sketchy with it being mostly dirt and rocks and a sign saying that we were leaving the maintained portion of the road.  We managed to by-pass 5 miles of bumper-to-bumper traffic and cut in line at the front when we got back on the freeway.  Thanks, Uncle Google. I will never doubt your instructions again!

IMG_4602

The drive took a total of 8 hours including 3 stops.  We were so tired of being in the car that we walked to Don Jose for some enchiladas and margaritas.  This is Jes’ Corona-Rita.

IMG_4626The next day was mostly for errands.  Before taking Koa to the vet, we stopped at Wahoo’s for lunch.  Yum.  Oh how I miss a good fish taco.

IMG_4623Then we took Koa to the vet in Irvine.  This is the place that we’ve always taken him since he was a pup and he was shaking as much as the first time we brought him.  IMG_4631He did surprisingly well during the examination and walked out of there with a bunch of shots.

After that, we went to Pish’s office for my long-overdue check-up and cleaning.  It had been 4 years since I had seen a dentist!! Thankfully, I had no cavities.  Yippee!

IMG_4636In the afternoon, I met up with Holly and Andrew for a little catching up before dinner.

IMG_4643For dinner, we met up with Johnny and Joy in Torrance for some izakaya and beer.  Boy, we had a very productive first day!

Grandstands

On Saturday, the day after my surgery, I woke up in so much pain.  I had to take some meds and Jes had to push me up out of bed.  I couldn’t sit up and I couldn’t even roll onto my side!  It was U-GLY.  Once the meds kicked in, I was up and moving around again.  I’m so swollen that I looked preggo again but whatever…I didn’t care anymore.

That morning, my mom helped get Kumquat ready while we waited for Jason to arrive.  We had purchased grandstand tickets to watch the finals of the LV Cup so once he got to our house, we were on our way.

IMG_4511We left the house at 11 and it was supposedly when the special Embarcadero train would be running.  It didn’t arrive for a good 45 minutes!  Once we were on, it took us from our house all the way down to Fisherman’s Wharf. From there, we walked over Fort Mason hill and down to the Marina Green.  We had a gorgeous SF day and the wind was pretty strong.  IMG_8011We watched the first race up in the stands and it was nice to finally have a good view of the boats sailing over the water.  IMG_4518Unfortunately the meds were making me a little woozy and I had to put my head down.  Luckily, my mom brought some of her magical tiger balm and it totally made me feel better.

IMG_8015The second race was canceled due to high winds so we spent the rest of the afternoon at the beer garden.  Since my medicine included Tylenol, I didn’t get to enjoy a beer with the Masayas who were also there with us.  Oh well.

All done!

IMG_4487By 3:50 pm I was miserable…shaky, throbbing head, and a little nauseated. So, the nurse came in a hooked me up to some fluids. Aaaahhh…

I walked into the OR and they took my BP, put in a nasal cannula, the anesthesiologist said “hello”, and I was out!

IMG_0488Woke up to sounds of the recovery room and I had the best nap ever. There was an ice pack on my tummy and apparently they let me nap for an hour after the procedure.

IMG_0487Got some goldfish crackers and apple juice and it was so good but I’m actually not hungry anymore. No nausea and I’m not too groggy. Thank goodness!!!

On my way home now and I’m so sore! Getting dressed was interesting. We use our abs for EVERYTHING! My throat is sore too from the oxygen blowing for an hour.

Thanks for all the messages, everyone! You really kept me company and I wasn’t nearly as nervous by the time it was my turn.

So hungry…

20130823-152617.jpg

I’m starving. It’s 3:15 pm and I have AT LEAST an hour until it’s my turn. I wish my head didn’t hurt so much.

Got here at 12:30 like they told me to. I went through registration and paid my co-pay stuff. I was calm but a little nervous.

IMG_4484Then I went into the dressing room to gown-up. Loving the head-cover look.

Then I was seated in a comfy recliner with a warm blanket over me. Vitals were taken and I got an IV placed in my arm.

And then the waiting started…it was 1:30 when the IV was placed and I’ve been bumped by a guy who will need a little over an hour for his procedure.

IMG_4489I think Jesse was jealous of my recliner.  At least they had free WiFi access and allowed us to use our iPhones in the waiting room.

There’s just so much Candy Crush Saga that a girl can play on an empty stomach.

Preparation

Tomorrow’s my surgery.  If you need catching up, click here and here.  I haven’t been too worried about it all month but now that it’s the day before, I’m a little nervous.  I’ve seen way too much at work and it’s hard not to think about ALL the possibilities that result from even a minor surgery and sedation.  At work, I tied up loose ends, got my paperwork squared away, entered all my extended sick leave stuff, and just mentally prepared for what’s to come tomorrow.

My mom arrived this afternoon; I had a tasty burger, fries, and glass on wine for dinner; I showered with a specific type of soap that the nurse suggested; I’m drinking lots of water before midnight; and trying to distract myself with trying to plan activities for my two weeks off.

Starting at midnight (an hour from now), I’m not allowed to eat or drink anything until after surgery.  I guess there’s always the risk of vomiting while under anesthesia and then aspirating it.  Wonderful.  I sure hope I’ll be distracted enough to not be too hungry.  I also have to shower again in the morning before I head over to the surgery center.

Time for bed.

Sunday BBQ

DSC_3072On Sunday we went to the Bangs’ for lunch.  It was a warm sunny day and they had the perfect backyard for a BBQ. Vyl made tri tip and kabobs and we had a fun time catching up.

DSC_3050It was also nice to see Little Isla or “Mei Mei”.

 

DSC_3053We hadn’t seen her since the day she was born and she’s grown so much in the past 4 months.  Vyl says she’s been a pretty easy baby and it looks like she’s got Bang’s hairline right now.

DSC_3068The Bangs also just finished remodeling the bedrooms and bathrooms.  You can see the addition to the left of this photo.  In case you were wondering, Uncle Bang was teaching Jack how to set a volleyball.  Too bad Jack was more into spiking the ball instead.