Sarah Noelle

Saturday, June 01, 2002


Sarah Noelle

Four years ago today a very special little girl came into this world earlier than she should have. We're guessing that she was a feisty little thing and was ready to meet her family.

Because she was 4 months premature, she and her mommy almost died during delivery. Jackie had pre-eclampsia. I read up on this as much as I could and still have trouble understanding why this would happen.

I was lucky enough to be one of the very first people to see little 1 lb, 1 oz Sarah. She was so tiny and red in her little incubator. The next day less than 24 hours later, I was actually able to go into NICU and see her up close. She stuck her tongue out at me, so it's obvious she was just like her mother!

I had to go home, I lived six hours away, two states away and it hurt me to have to leave my friend and my new "niece" and their families. I knew, however, that she would be in great hands.

In August I went back down and Sarah had put on some weight, but was still in NICU. Still on machines to help her breathe. Of course, I talked to her and said I was her Auntie Lisa and of course...she stuck her tongue out at me. Her mother, Jackie, just thought this was the funniest thing she would ever experience.
I was also lucky enough to be there when Sarah got to put on her first little pjs AND she was held by her mommy and daddy for the very first time. I took TONS of pictures. Jackie took one of me, over little Sarah, with my hand on her back...the span of my hand was just a little shorter than the length of her body.

November came around and I had a phone message that Sarah would be home for Thanksgiving. She was off the vent and getting stronger. Sadly, that didn't happen. She was put back on the vent and other machinery.

My heart dropped when I got a call in January that little Sarah Noelle died. She was with her daddy when she died and her little body just couldn't take it anymore.

Steve (David's brother) and I, who just over a year before were in that same church as Best Man and Matron of Honor for this wonderful couple were now given the task of being pallbearers and burying their most beautiful daughter.

Sadly, Dave and Jackie weren't the only parents who lost a child that year. The month earlier my friend Gina's son died after battling to heal after a car accident that he was in several months before. He was a teenager. A few years before that Nina died. She was in her 20s. I thought she'd be the youngest person I'd ever know to die. Then Chris. Then Sarah.

Each family reacted differently to the death of their respective children. Jackie now works at her church. She is a teacher to the 2 year olds. THEY love her almost as much as she loves them. The sweetest part is they all know Sarah. Sure, none of them ever met her, but Jackie keeps her memory alive. This Sunday there will be flowers on the altar at their church in memory of Sarah Noelle. I'm sure Sarah will be smiling down on all of them.

I tell everyone that although this story of Sarah is a sad one, she taught many people, including me, the true meaning of unconditional love.

I have her picture close to me. She was not my child, but she watches over me every day. My sweet Sarah. My guardian angel.

smiles, Lulu
- Lulupallooza - 6/1/2002 10:36:02 AM

Finally!

Ok ok ok!

I'm sorry, I haven't updated. I'm a terrible person! :-)

Things have been hectic since I've recuperated and returned to work.

Tuesday nights we've got softball (PEM plays, I cheerlead...lol), Wednesday nights is darts (we finally won a couple of games!!), Thursdays-Saturday, I'm typically working. So, Sunday is clean house day and Monday is the only day that I can rest...or more often than not...meet the girls for dinner or something.

Work is busy but good. I've been trying to get used to my new smaller space and extra workload. I have an office-mate, and will continue to do so until we move to a larger office building (not holding my breath). We merged with another small company, so we are squished in once again. It's annoying, but we are making the best of it and forming new and different relationships.

This Friday we are having a staff meeting, followed by a cocktail/meet-greet hour. Time to get to know our co-workers - particularly the new ones that work in a separate building from some of us.

It's going to be interesting. We have a new company name, that will be pushed to the public at the beginning of the year.

PEM is doing well. Working too much as usual. Add to the schedule I put out there for myself...on Mondays and Thursdays he umpires. So, we're pooped a lot. BUT, we get to enjoy each other when we can and we take full advantage of our down time.

Hope all is well.

Smiles, lulu

Back in the saddle...ok...not quite

I'm feeling so much better.

I'm back at work (part time) and am glad I was given the ok to get out of the house and go be productive.

I promised the doc I wouldn't over do it and I haven't. I've been good. :-)

My little incisions are cool. I can't believe so much was done with three tiny little holes. I have two little scars on each side and you can't really see the third one, in my belly button.

Everyone has been so wonderful. My family, my friends, my coworkers have all been keeping tabs on me, making sure I'm not doing too much. And if they think I am...I get scolded. :-)


On Oct 1, I go to the doc for the much anticipated 6 week check up. I can only HOPE that she gives me to the ok to get back to "normal" again.


Like I said, things are better. And getting back to "normal".

Smiles, lulu

Surgery is done

Surgery went just as the doc expected. She was able to do it laprascopically, so I have three little "holes" in my tummy. One at my belly button and two a little lower on each side of me.

I was home the next day by 1pm and have been up and about (to from bathroom, kitchen, etc) since that day. They pain is definitely there, but bearable. The pain meds help A LOT. Strong pain meds tend to make me sick to my stomach, so she prescribed me something for that too, but I really haven't needed it.

Basically, I'm awake for two hours or so, then sleep for two hours or so. I actually slept for about 6 hours tonight (it's 4:40 am right now) and I'll probably be heading back to bed in 20 mins or so.

My friends have all been wonderful. I've gotten phone calls and texts from most everyone who is important to me and I've been well taken care of at home by PEM and various friends. Sonia stayed with me Wednesday night for a couple of hours and today PEM goes back to work, so both Robins are taking a shift today. :-) We had made the plans to have them here, since we weren't sure how I'd be healing, but I think I could actually be on my own today if needed. Still nice to have someone here during my waking hours. :-)

So, thanks for all of your thoughts, I really truly appreciate it.

Smiles, lulu

Tomorrow's the day

Less than 24 hours until D-day. Or H-Day. Or more accurate LAVH day. :-)

I'm anxious and happy all at the same time.

I'm just ready for it. I'm tired I'm worn out and I'm annoyed. So let's get this done!

I'll try to update my progress in a few days.

Thanks for your thoughts!

Smiles, lulu

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My new weight loss program.

I was reading up on Fibroids and found that some of them weigh up to 50lbs. And the heaviest one weighed 140lbs!!!

So, here's the deal. I'm thinking, my two fibroids should weight a good 20-30lbs each. ;-)

This is an AWESOME weight loss program. I'll bank on being 40-60lbs lighter on the 20th of August!

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Smiles, lulu

12 more days

12 days until surgery. I'm anxious for it.

I've had ups and downs. I had bleeding so bad for a while again, that I thought I could be hemorrhaging. I had pain bad enough one day that I stayed home from work. It's just a day by day thing. Some days are good some are bad.

I'm still hoping for a LAVH, but I guess I'll know more on Tuesday at my pre-op appointment. Of course we won't know anything for sure until I'm actually in surgery. *sigh*

I'm very tired all the time. I'm taking iron pills and B12 and am still dragging most days. Can't imagine how bad it would be if I didn't have the supplements.

I know I'm not the only one who has gone through this and thanks to www.hystersisters.com I'm able to see that in writing. The experience of other women has helped me cope quite a bit better.

12 more days. :-)

Smiles, lulu