Fell again...

Well yes, I fell... again! Not bad, but bad enough to cause more bleeding internally! 

We had some amazing friends that came over last night and wanted us (Carla & I) to go on a date. Being that we haven't actually been on a date for Four months or so we agreed that was a GREAT idea! Carla was really concerned about the way I was feeling physically and weather or not I could handle going out. Funny thing was, I was worried about weather or not she could handle it! She has been over-extending herself daily and I wasn't sure if this was the wised choice for her or not. But, it was so long since we have had a babysitter, that I wasn't about to pass up this generous opportunity! 

Times like these just aren't the same these days. Don't get me wrong we had a very good time, but they are very different then our past romantic adventures. We hated to spend the money because things have been so tight, but its been about four months since our last date and it was a good idea. We went to Sake Cafe since that is one of Carla's favorite places to eat. They have a roll called the "Covington Roll" that is not on the menu and is COMPLETELY different than anything else in town. Its a little bigger than a silver dollar, very little rice, crawfish, snow crab, and a whole lot of other goodness, AND very light crunchy ever so slightly and delicately fried on the outside (not heavy like normal fried rolls. Not even as thick as a normal tempura... very light). Only problem is that is about the "only" roll that's good there. So you have to go just for that roll. Carla craves it, but we hardly ever go. So, we went there to get that and it was SUCH  a treat! 

Then we tried to decide where we were going to go from there. By this time my ankle was hurting and Carla was in pain too, but there was NO way we were going home yet! So we thought about going to the movies since it was something that we could do without walking or exerting energy, but neither one of us felt like we could sit in a theater for a couple of hours. There is only so many ways you can prop up your ankles, and having them down that whole time was definitely out of the question! So we did what every other couple in St Tammany parish does on their date nights... we went to Target! We needed a couple things for the baby AND they had a cart. Can't just shop anywhere, because Carla can't walk very far either at this point. So, Target it was!

We got their and Carla got in her scooter, and I was in mine! What a pair! By this time, I was running out of steam, but even though we were in wheel chairs, we were going to keep moving forward, enjoy our time together, and try to be as normal as possible (whatever that is). I splurged and got a coffee (I felt like I was on vacation!), and she made a "B" line for the house wares section. Two things we NEVER get to do with kids, not that we get to do them period, because we can't get to the store much anyway! Then we met back up and had a couple of deep meaningful conversations along the way, and we then closed them down. We wanted to make sure we said goodnight to all those hardworking people that stock our shelves and keep our shopping experiences clean and happy! 

Then we were convinced that we were going to make the most of this evening since it may be another 6 months before we get to do it again (it is so hard to find babysitters for three, I am not looking forward to trying to find someone for four kids). Anyway, we left there and by the time we got in the car it was about 10:30pm. We realized that our clock was ticking and since EVERYTHING in St Tammany parish closes at 10:00pm except Chili's and Copeland's, we only had 30 minutes to go somewhere else for desert. So, we start heading toward Chili's because the last three times we went to Copeland's, which was a while ago, we said we would never go back. Bad service, poor food preparation. And don't get me wrong, I love some of their dishes, especially their cheesecake, but sometimes you just have to cut the cord! Anyway, by the time we got to Chili's it was already 10:45 and you don't want to go to Chili's right when they are closing! Big mistake! Let's just say, three bouts of food poisoning, and all about the time they were closing! 

So, we decided to do what every good American would do in our predicament, and go through the drive through at Wendy's and get frosties and park at the lakefront! Of course we didn't get out because it is such a hassle to load and unload the wheelchair for Carla at this stage of the pregnancy. Not to mention that I could have gotten out, but then she couldn't have walked, so we just sat in the car, me in the back seat (because I have to keep my foot elevated), and her in the front, eating frosties with our windows down. It was really nice! We talked for probably about an hour. But somewhere in that hour I was so consumed in our "uninterrupted" conversations (and parents, you know exactly what I mean), that I had not realized that my pain was getting worse and worse very quickly. It seemed that all of a sudden my left foot started swelling up really big and started hurting something terrible. We realized that I was almost out of medicine so we rushed over to the 24 hour Walgreen's (thank you God for 24 hour Walgreen's) and got medicine. But by this time I was hurting so bad my other leg was shaking uncontrollably. 

We got home and came inside and I was headed straight to bed while Carla was unloading the other stuff, and I leaned over to get a pillow off the couch to take with me, and I fell. I fell half way, not all the way, out of my chair. The worst part was I caught myself with my left (surgery) ankle. NOT FUN!!! So, then it REALLY started swelling and started bleeding internally very quickly. I very quickly got in bed, and took a shot. But, as you could imagine, I couldn't get to sleep, because of the pain, until around 4:00am. 

I really had a hard time after that not being angry! I really wanted to be really angry! I was already frustrated that I couldn't have a normal date with my wife, along with all the other "special" situation stuff that we have to deal with, and then I fell! I knew that this meant that it was going to take even longer to heal, possibly another hematoma, and delay me walking even more! Carla calls me the "eternal optimist", but at that moment I REALLY didn't "feel" very optimistic. As a matter of fact, my honest thoughts started to go to "how can I just cut off my left leg, and then my right arm. Get it over with! I'll have two less limbs, and be in a wheelchair for the rest of my life, but at least I won't always be in pain..." Then Somewhere in there I stopped myself and just started praying! Its amazing how, no matter how angry you are the peace of God CAN surpass all understanding. 

There is no point in being frustrated and angry! There is only enough time to be grateful and look forward to better days ahead and believe that what the enemy would like to use to kill, steal, and destroy me... the Lord wants to use for my good! The only way that we will receive full benefit of the "Good" the Lord wants to do in us in the timing He wants to do it in, is if we are quick to forgive, repent, and listen! Lord help me to do so!

Carla has two weeks and two days left before her C Section! Praise God! 

Please pray for extra peace, joy, and grace through these last days!