30 Day invisible illness challenge: Day 28

Day Twenty Eight: 

The nicest thing someone did for me when I wasn't feeling well is... 

David gave me a stuffed Koala Bear.

 I have been a very lucky girl, and I have been spoiled. Endometriosis is gloomy and lonely, so it's nice when my loved ones show their support. I'm blessed with their patience, words of encouragement, and, occasionally, gifts. One thing that people do that I love is send flowers. I love flowers. They are so bright and beautiful, and they bring joy. You feel loved when you receive flowers. 

Just recently, after my appointment with my surgeon, I became depressed. She suggested having children now, and the whole appointment acknowledged and confirmed that I was quite sick and surgery is necessary for both feeling better and having children. It was a rough appointment, and the next day I spent with the lights off in the house, the curtains closed, and I just wanted to sleep. I felt awful. I called my mother for support, then called my dear friend Steph. I bawled my eyes out on the phone with her. I cried and I cried and she listened and spoke. She offered fantastic advice, and I felt a bit better after our talk, but I didn't feel cheery. You may imagine my surprise, then, while I was making dinner and heard a knock at the door. A lady stood on my doorstep, but I couldn't see her behind this giant bouquet of beautiful flowers. They were a gift from Steph (and of course from Brad too). These beautiful, joyful flowers were so cheery. I suddenly became excited about the dinner I was cooking, I pulled open the curtains, and felt better. Don't underestimate the healing power of flowers!

The bouquet from Steph & Brad

The bouquet brought a lot of joy and cheer into our home!

#FlowerPower

I was very fortunate in my previous job at Pet Land. I had such wonderful, supportive staff. All my coworkers were so supportive and kind. Before my surgery in August 2013, Niina and the other girls at work pitched in and bought me a beautiful bouquet of pink roses. Even after surgery, if I was having a pain day, my dear Shaun was always so nice and he always said to me, "Danie, go home. You're not feeling well, let's see if we can get you home." Though I worked with puppies, so Shaun was rarely able to convince me to go home!

My old job had some serious perks!

I didn't choose the scrub life. The scrub life chose me. Just kidding. I chose the scrub life. And it's awesome.

After my first surgery in October 2011, my then-boyfriend flew from Ontario to Calgary to visit me two days after my surgery. I had to stay overnight at the hospital after that surgery, and I was very drugged and out of it for his visit. While I was sleeping upstairs, he and my father watched hockey downstairs. Even though I didn't have immediate company, I felt so much love and support. It really helps in the healing. 

My mother brought me roses and chocolates post op, which was very sweet. It's nice to feel doted on every once and a while. Everyone wants to take care of you after you've had surgery. You can get away with just about anything. And eat whatever you want. Ginger ale, soda crackers, and ice cream are post surgery staples. It's kind of awesome.

I come out of surgery and I'm like:

 More than anything, my Davey Boy knows how to make me feel loved and doted on.

For my surgery in 2013, my beloved David woke me up at 4 in the morning. He made sure my hospital bag was packed with the essentials: jammies, clean undies, and a stuffed bunny. But then he revealed something special to me: the cutest stuffed Koala Bear. I love that thing. I still have it. I have a thing for stuffed animals, and koalas are one of my most favorite critters. The koala was a perfect present and it accompanied me to the hospital. Thank you, David. 

ITS SO CUTE AND FLUFFY OMG.

Obviously I'll get well soon with this cute thing hanging around.

While the gifts are all so nice and sweet and unforgettable, the nicest thing is the way David treats me every damn day. He always listens to how I'm feeling, he always asks, and he always knows when I'm hurting. Some days he carries me to bed, he always helps me to my feet, and he sometimes makes my hot water bottle for me. David is amazing. He makes this disease bearable.