Hey Now, It’s Your Birthday…
Today is my wife’s birthday. Sue has big things happening today, but it’s not what you might think.
Nope, she’s not going to a spa for the full works. She’s not going out for a celebratory dinner at her favorite Mexican joint. She won’t even be relaxing around the house being waited on hand-and-foot. For her, this birthday — like all the ones since Ryan’s attack — is not about her.
There is no self-indulgence.
For her birthday today, she gets to spend it in the hospital as Ryan undergoes his last surgery; the final one (of three) to get this month-long kidney stone episode behind. For Sue, it is a day of nervous waiting in chairs that are deceptively uncomfortable. First in pre-op for two hours. Then in the surgical waiting room for an hour-and-a-half. Followed by a couple of hours at Ryan’s bedside in the recovery bay. Even given the best case scenario it’s a minimum of six hours. Unfortunately, this never happens. Realistically, it’ll be eight to ten hours… maybe more.
For me to wish her a “happy birthday” seems inappropriate, given what she’ll go through today. Let’s face it, her birthday will suck. It is my goal to make it the least “sucky” possible. It’s safe to say that both of us will be glad when this day is over. It will be long, tiresome, and nerve wracking.
So, to Sue, “Happy Least Sucky Birthday”.
Ryan’s Day…
As bad as it is for my bride, it will be worse for Ryan. There is no man — at least none in their right mind — that likes having a probe inserted in their penis to yank out a piece of tubing (called a “stent”). Never mind that he’ll be under anesthesia, that’s not the problem. It’s the discomfort that follows. Tonight will be rough on him, especially when he urinates.
Oh, and he’ll be peeing a lot because they’ll pump him full of fluids to make him do just that. At first, his urine will be disconcertingly dark with blood. Over the next twenty-four hours it will slowly lighten to just a tinge of blood then back to normal. Well, visually “normal”. It takes several days until it completely heals and there is no trace-blood left.
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Happy Birthday Sue 🙂 May God Bless you all always <3 <3 Praying daily for Ryan and your Family, Love you all
The best gift for Sue today, that is not sucky at all, is that Ryan comes through his procedure with flying colors–and then let the healing begin:). Yes, he will be in discomfort afterward until he’s not, and you will still be sleep-deprived….but the healing part will be a welcome relief in the coming days for Ryan, and for you. Look at what you have done here, Ken! You recognized there was a problem, got right on it……and after today’s procedure, the expectation is that his body can settle down and continue all healing…….It’s been a severely rough time, not knowing if the meds would do their job, or for how long, could Ryan withstand any or all of it…..I get it. SHSP NGA and you guys ROCK. TEAM DIVINEY has got this. Yay Team!!! Ryan loves you ‘kids’ to the moon and back and I know he is grateful for your care, never doubt that. You all have his back. God bless you and keep on keeping on……you can do it and you will do it Love to you all, Annie – kisses and hugs to Ryan forever.
I wanted to take a minute to say that I am thinking of all of you today. I hope Ryan can get this done and move on and Sue….well….I won’t say Happy Birthday because Ken’s right…but I’m thinking of you too 🙂 Ken…I hope everyone in the hospital does their job well today so that you don’t have any added aggravations! Love you all!
Praying all went well!! Happy Birthday to one selfless, incredibly strong Mom!!!!
Prayers of hope and healing for all of you. Xoxoxo
I hope you all have a better than expected day and outcome!
God love you friend.
Hi Ken, I agree, terrible way for Sue to have to spend her birthday. I’m so sorry, and I’m sorry Ryan is going to be in pain tonight — makes me very sad. Thank you for updating us on his surgery. I know neither of you will get much sleep tonight (once again). I’m not really expecting you to post due to extreme sleep deprivation, but — if you are somehow able, please let us know how Ryan is doing. Please give him big hugs from all of us, and tell him we are praying for him and we care so much about him. Please give Sue some hugs for us too and tell them both we love them. Love you too. Hugs, Paula
Sending extra love and prayers for all of you today, and a big birthday hug for Sue. We know that you, Ryan and Kari will make her feel appreciated and as special as she is <3
Hope all goes well with Ryan’s surgery & hope sue has an OK day
happy least sucky bday!
When Ryan is back on more solid ground, please do get out for a Mexican dinner. You know he’d want that for you. Happy Birthday, Sue.
Happy Birthday sue!! You are a incredible n amazing women!!!
Wishing Sue the best birthday possible, and hoping that Ryan goes through as little discomfort as possible. Wishing you all some happy days ahead.
Happy Birthday.m
Happy Birthday Sue!! Praying for recovery for Ryan.
Praying for good results for Ryan as he goes through this surgery. It’s really tough when they can’t say how they feel or hurt. If we could, we would take that pain in their place–we can’t, so we just do what we do and be there for them. ALWAYS. Hope Sue has a good day– HAPPY sometimes seems far away. Praying for your family .
Sue… Sending HAPPY “least sucky” BIRTHDAY WISHES!!! Including a {{{{{BIG HUG}}}}}
Happy Birthday!!!!!
Happy birthday, Sue. I hope it ISN’T “sucky!” You all do what you do for Ryan out of LOVE. It would be easy to institutionalize him. There are facilities that specialize in caring for young adults with head injuries & other serious disabilities. Know that God is with you in this journey, as He is with Ryan in his pain. I added Ryan & his family to our weekly Prayer Table, yesterday. Nice to have it back after a long, arduous winter complicated by unexpected invisibility due a Cathedral door shattered by the extreme cold. Deacon Sue uploads the list to the Worldwide Anglican Communion. God be with you, Ken & Sue & Ryan. He is with you in your pain. And He acknowledges your LOVE.
Sue, sending you special thoughts today! 🙂
Happy B-Day!!
Sad to hear Sue has to spend B-day in hospital, but know she couldn’t be anywhere else.
Hoping and praying Ryan feels better and your night isn’t too bad. Hope Sue does have a little cake though:) Stay strong Divineys. Love gail