Forrest Gump was right, you never know what you're gonna get

So the latest with me isn't a super fun story, but you know what? Life isn't always super fun, and that is okay. Trials are what make us learn, grow and become stronger. I am going to try to make a long story as short as possible, but this may still be a novel...

About 6 months ago I found a little bump on my neck just behind my jaw. At first every dr I saw told me it was nothing. They almost made me feel silly for pointing out this tiny little thing but I couldn't shake the feeling that it wasn't normal. After what felt like a million visits to different doctors and a CAT scan, I finally found a doctor at UCLA who could tell me what was wrong with me. I was extremely relieved to finally have some answers, even though it wasn't exactly the answer I wanted. That little bump was actually a tumor.

I scheduled the surgery asap and tried my best not to talk and/or think about it so I wouldn't stress about it. I mean I haven't ever broken a bone, no ER visits, so the thought of being in a hospital overnight was mildly alarming. Anyways, the surgery went swimmingly according to the dr. (I of course have no memory of any post surgery conversations). He was thrilled to report there was no damage to the facial nerves, and aside from a numb ear lobe (that nerve they did have to cut) I should eventually be good as new! The recovery period has been much worse then I was anticipating, I mean its a small tumor, small cut, a little swelling, no big deal right? But as I told the dr at my follow up appt "Honestly, it felt like I was hit by a bus" to which his response he was, "Oh believe me I know, I was the one driving it." While it may not sound like it, it was actually comforting to hear. I felt like I was being a baby until the dr explained all the gritty details of the surgery like how he had to stretch the muscles from the middle of my neck up in order to fill in the hole where the tumor was. Super fun.

I spent a couple weeks resting, watching Gilmore Girls dvds and enjoying applesauce, smoothies, soup & mashed potatoes (the swelling & soreness did not allow for any chewing). I am so lucky to have best husband to take such good care of me and for these little guys to snuggle me all day.

I have decided that pain killers are both the best & worst invention all in one. They definitely ease the pain but man they mess with just about everything else. I am so grateful for family & friends who brought food and kept me company in my, lets just say, altered state.

But all in all the story has a happy ending. The lab work is back, the tumor was benign (excuse me while I dance around the room Rocky style!) and I am feeling better and better everyday. I am young and healthy and I am going to be just fine. And those that know me will appreciate this, because as soon as my discomfort was under control and my jaw was working well enough for me to eat real food, I'll give you one guess what my first meal was....

That's right, a cheeseburger from in n out. In the weeks following the surgery I think I must have said at least a dozen times in a slurred, sorry sounding voice at the thought of eating pudding for dinner again "I just want a cheeseburger"! It was a very triumphant moment, I almost high-fived the cashier on the way out.

Yeah, and as a side note I have learned something new about myself. I am a lightweight, and while on pain meds I am not allowed to browse the internet. Apparently I did some online shopping while feeling a little loopy, since a package of 12 yes is said 12 bathing suits showed up in the mail today.

Really? 12? Half of them are the wrong size, and some don't even have matching bottoms. Maybe my subconscious is telling me I need to go on a tropical vacation. : )