There really is no good way to share bad news. Unlike the joy of sending baby stats with a mass email, it’s hard to send out a mass note saying that your wife had a surprise surgery and is recuperating in the hospital. I didn’t even know I’d had an hysterectomy until 12:30 the next day. I was finally coherent enough to feel my tummy to find a bandage. A bandage in the same place that I had had a bandage only 7 weeks earlier. When I turned to Chris to confirm my suspicion, I didn’t have any thoughts about it. I frankly remember having a blank feeling. No remorse, but I wasn’t exactly happy either. I just felt blank. A few days later, my blankness did turn into gratitude for being here. Being alive to see my girls and not leave them without a mommie. A lot of people say how grave everything was and that I would suffer from having such a stress put on my body, but I honestly don’t know how bad it was. I still remember the pain, but that is slowly working its way out of my system. The pain, the strange dreams and the cold chill I feel when I hear an ambulance will subside, I can already tell. In its wake, you can’t help but have a few of those, “why me,” thoughts creep in. I was completely healed from my c-section and finally able to get out and about with the girls. Why? Why did it have to happen? It would have been nice to just have it all done at once, but at least we are most fortunate to have the best family and friends. I am so thankful and blessed for my family and friends.
April 1, 2007
Pico DiPaolo 
April 1, 2007 at 6:51 pm
Well miss Petie, you did give us all a huge scare. Joey ponders: “If this had happened before the days of blood transfusion, Petie would be dead”. So, thanks for modern medicine, and thanks that — if this was meant to happen — it happened now, not before you had your beautiful girls, or while you were pregnant with little Elise. It will be good to see you this summer…
April 1, 2007 at 8:30 pm
It’s true. I don’t think I would have made it without the blood. So, now when I hear blood donation being called, “the gift of life,” it will be a reality for me. I do think about whose blood I got – I wish I could thank them individually. It’s a curious thing – you wish you knew more about them.
I wish giving blood was an easier deal for me – I would make it a necessity to get to the blood bank periodically to give blood. Do they let someone who has had a transfusion give blood? I do feel like I have a mark on me now… Don’t all these medical questionaires always ask that: Have you had a blood transfusion?
It will be good to see you guys, too. It won’t last forever, I know, but I’m trying to not take anything for granted!!!
April 1, 2007 at 10:48 pm
It really is beyond comprehension to me that you may have lost about half your blood. Wish I could give blood too… but I would just pass out again and again and again… it’d be ugly.
We grateful to be able to see you and everyone else in June.
April 1, 2007 at 11:09 pm
I gave blood once. Can’t remember how much. I know it was the max you could give because I was taking it well, and the nurse was happy… I was in college, and one of my friends rushed me into the room as if it was inconceivable for me not to volunteer.
What I remember most about it though was the sudden concern I got when I was about to leave and they told me that they would notify me on whether my blood was ok or not. If you had something like HIV or anything else like that, of course they couldn’t use your blood, and they’d let you know.
I had NO REASON WHATSOEVER to suspect that anything could be wrong with my blood, but still: the thought and awareness that my blood was being tested terrorized me. I was so relieved when I got my donor card!
OK, this was totally off-topic, but your comments reminded me of it 🙂
April 3, 2007 at 10:56 am
Wow, I wondered why there were no posts recently. I’m glad you’re okay!
April 3, 2007 at 3:53 pm
Maria, I had the exact same reaction when I gave blood for the first time in high school. How funny. I also had no reason to doubt the sanctity of my blood, but I was anxious about getting that card in the mail, too.
Jenevieve, thanks for your note. 🙂 I’m doing much better now.
April 3, 2007 at 3:57 pm
Oh, I found out my friend Tara gives blood once a quarter. Yay! I know she would give me her blood, so I don’t feel as guilty about taking so much. Plus, Chris has donated lots in his life, too. I know, that seems silly.
On the subject of donating blood, I think they should start a cord bank of umbilical cords as well. I don’t think it’s right that only the wealthy kids have access to their saved umbilical cords.