Surgery Aftermath

(August 17,2006)

Niel, Caleb and I just left Kaiser at 7 pm tonight for home after being
there since 11:30 a.m. yesterday. I can now remain seated with less
pain. It's a killer when I sit down, stand up, move around, etc. because
the stomach muscles are used. My stomach, lungs, collarbone, and neck
are bruised from the artificial gas used to balloon up my stomach for
the lariscopy camera vision. Breathing is difficult with the
aftereffects of full anesthesia, and the phlegm sitting in my lungs
which will lead to lung infection later this week or next unless I keep
breathing out of this plastic tube with a lever that goes up to the
level of inhalation required- very exhausting and dizzying. My stomach
hurts to the slightest touch, so I steer away from Caleb during his
active phases when possible. I cannot lift more than 10 pounds
(including Caleb at almost 19). And of course, there's the huge stitched
slash across my crotch hairline, with lots of heavy duty tape, won't be
fun removing later. I'm ordered not to lift, work or drive for 6 weeks.
I however will feel better in 2 weeks, I was informed. I need to drink
liquids and soft foods for awhile.

Now as to why all this???
It was a very long process for me, finding out one more bad news after
another, since last Wednesday when I had an appointment to have my IUD
removed, normally a simple procedure of pulling the string out. IUDs are
good for 5 to 10 years, depending on the type. After only 6 months, I
felt it was just too much pain to bear- ocassional stabbing sensations
in my stomach while breastfeeding, sitting, or standing, all at random
times. I've contacted a nurse about this but was told it was normal
because of breastfeeding. On that day, the IUD string couldn't be found,
nor thru ultrasound, until the X-Ray detected the copper "T" in my
pelvis. Surgery was scheduled the following Tues. (yesterday). I went
under anesthesia thinking I'd wake a few hours later with 2 small clean
cuts in my belly and ready to go home as an outpatient. Instead, I'm
told the IUD was found to have been improperly inserted past the uterus
into the intestines, and was complicated to remove so a C-section was
done. I spent the night bedridden at Kaiser for 1 1/2 days. I was
finally released after "passing" the test of sitting up, standing, and
walking- a very difficult feat that usually gave me fainting spells,
nausea and anxiety attacks for most of the day. I've been thinking about
the mistakes made at Kaiser:
1) the dr inserted the IUD into me and THEN gave me a brochure on the
risks involved and that I should take into serious consideration (too
late)
2) dr inserted way too far, pushing it past the uterus into the
intestine (so I technically never got birth control)
3) after insertion, the dr didn't use ultrasound to make sure it looks
right (found that my cousin, an ob/gyn in NY does this for double check
herself)
4) when I reported pains, they told me it was normal pain due to
breastfeeding w IUD (again if I knew that'd happen, wouldn't have chosen
IUD)
5) and now this... With loss of 6 weeks worth of work/income

Well, I'm glad to be alive, and recovering, and still able to bear
children. That's the most important thing. I've received wonderful
support from people all this time. Thanks for keeping me in your
thoughts and prayers.

Love,
Erika

Lake Tahoe

"Da ow" as the Indians called the "Lake of the Sky", which the newcomers mistook as "Tahoe". Our dog Amy sharing in our pleasure in this secluded beach site at Kiva Beach in South Lake Tahoe.

Thanks to Niel's dad Bruce, we stayed at his nice, humble cabin for a week. Dad Bruce had a barbecue ready for us upon our arrival. A few days later, we went out to lunch with Niel's mom Kathryn, along with Aunt Marcia, for her birthday. Close to the end of the week, Niel's Uncle Scott and cousin Danielle drove over for the night and took us out to the Catina restaurant. Such nice meetings with family in beautiful, sunny and cool weather! A great escape from Riverside which was 115 degrees!

Caleb Growing Up!

Sigh... Caleb is no longer a baby baby. It is evident this evening. He is as of this moment standing up against Niel, and had pulled himself up on his own. Just earlier in the bath room, Caleb pulled himself up to a standing position outside the tub! What's more, I wanted to read to him from this colorful baseball book, but Caleb took the liberty of turning the pages in the correct direction, using the correct thumb and index finger position! It's kinda the first time he didn't try to chew the book, as he now knows the function of books. I must've modeled a lot during my maternity leave! We're amazed and so proud of our lil' boy!

Lake Tahoe video

Enjoying a day on the beach at Lake Tahoe.

July 9 Wedding Vows

Niel and Erika exchanged personal vows again in front of their pastor and 80 witnesses, family and friends, atop a bluff facing the Dana Point harbor and the Pacific ocean.

Blue Dog Art Exhibition

On Saturday May 27th, Erika, Niel, and Caleb attended an art exhibition at the Del Mar Hilton to view the art of George Rodrigue who they are pictured with. Rodrigue is well known for his paintings of the famed Blue Dog. Erika surprised Niel with a purchase of a Blue Dog print (as shown in the picture) for an early birthday gift with Rodrigue's signature on it (the 1st of 500 prints!). It was such an exciting opportunity for them to meet the artist and view his paintings in real life, as some of them are valued as high as $100,000.

Thompson Reunion & Cecil's 80th Birthday

A Thompson reunion at Niel's grandpa Cecil's 80th birthday party in the Thompson hometown of Chico, CA. A smashing success with catered barbecued chicken, tri-tip steak, wine, beer, lots of A1 sauce, guitar-playing, cake, family re-introductions, and some apparent competition for Caleb-cuddling time!

Solid Food & Forefathers

Four direct generations of Thompson boys. Caleb successully eats solids for the first time- mashed oatmeal cereal with banana, as his daddy, grandpa and great-grandpa cheer him on. Plain rice cereal he hated, but this he likes!

Baby Caleb

Caleb is now 5 months old. Parenting him is getting more fun and exciting as he is now responding to our facial expressions, voices, signs, and actions. Caleb loves reaching for pagers and coffee mugs, clearly because his parents often have these in their hands! Caleb likes exploring his hands and feet, and his parents' faces, especially Daddy's goatee and Mommy's hair, and both of their lips. He is as active as he can be for a baby who isn't yet sitting up on his own or crawling. We love him dearly, and look forward to what he's able to do next!

Niel and Erika Thompson- Easter 2006

Mother's Day

Erika's 1st official Mother's Day, celebrating with Niel's mom Kathryn. We're amazed how much life changes beautifully in only a year, and we're now all mothers- including sister-in-law Michelle, who is expecting her firstborn this December 1st. I'm joyfully proud to be Caleb's mom!

Dickson Reunion

Uncle Ron and Aunt Dawn came to visit from Seattle, so the Dickson brothers (my dad Alan) and their families, including cousin Lynn (my mom) gathered at Sean and Lisa's for a reunion. Everybody certainly had a good time! The ping pong, guitar playing, drinks, the baby boys, and the delicious kabob bbq! Ethan was so cute when he tried to present the orange monkey to Caleb during his crying. Ron's song "I'm Alive" was inspiring so I memorized it for signing while he sang with his guitar. Uncle Gordon... He's a great competitor in ping pong, and I hope he was only joking about his broken toe! Sean and Lisa, thanks for a great party! (Photographer Dawn)

Carlsbad Beach

We met up with Niel's dad Bruce, Marion, and her family in Carlsbad where we had a pleasant, brisk stroll along the Pacific. Caleb, at a beach for the first time, was lulled to sleep by the sea air! (or by Bruce's voice?)

Racquetball Tournament

Niel and Erika played as first-timers in the novice division at the National Deaf Racquetball Tournament in Fullerton, CA, because it was nearby. Niel enjoyed himself even though, in his last match, he had to play against a "B" player who wasn't supposed to compete in the Novice division. Erika lost once, and had to play in the 2nd tier "Loser's Bracket" for a total of 10 games, to re-emerge in the championship rounds the next day to defeat her previous winning opponent, all squeezed in between breastfeeding sessions! Thanks to mom Lynn for carrying Caleb in a front carrier, so both of them could watch Niel and Erika playing.