My 25th Birthday Party

the left knee is very swollen

My knee surgery was on August 7th

My Knee Surgery

I am doing OK.

The surgery was a success, according to the doctor. He did not follow the original plan though. When he opened up my knee, he found a hernia sack inside. So he cut out that bad, yellow tissue instead of fixing my tendon. The doctor believes that will relieve pressure and pain. While I was asleep during the surgery, I had an alergic reaction to some pain medicine, and a large raised rash formed all over my body, so they pumped me full of even more medicine.

I was put to sleep for the surgery, by choice, and I had a strong reaction to the anesthesia. It was hard for me to wake up and then I fainted when the first put me in the wheel chair after my hour of recovery time. Thus, I had to wait two more hours before they released me from the hospital.

I am so thankful for Jimmys mother because she was with me the whole time, since she is a nurse at that hospital. She took very good care of me! The first thing I heard when I woke up was her voice. She changed my clothes. She caught my head when I fainted. She lifted me back onto the bed. She spoon-fed me tea. She held my hand and prayed with me.

I threw-up tea the whole taxi ride home in Jimmys arms.

I am very grateful for Jimmy and my dear friend Patricia for taking such good care of me over the past few days. They cooked good for me, kept fresh ice on my knee, carried me to the bathroom and watched movies with me. I do not know what I would have done without them.

So now the physical therapy part begins. I just started to walk today, slowly. I go back to the doctor on Tuesday to get my stitches taken out, and then I will start to go to the gym everyday for PT.

I am OK. My knee is very swollen and the surgery video showed the large amount of work and cutting that was done inside.

Slowly but surerly.

Family and Baby Thomas, Grandmas and Grandpas and Fathers

Aunt Susan and Baby Thomas

Baby Thomas

Baby Thomas

Baby Thomas

Goodbye

My dream come true will end tomorrow when Jimmy and I return to Costa Rica. We have had the most WONDERFUL time over the past 6 weeks exploring this country by land from San Francisco to Colorado to North Carolina because we did everything that I wanted to do and we saw sooooo many important people to me. Both Jimmy and I have learned so much individually and as a couple, and we are thinking about moving to the United States in about one year so that I can replicate Intercambio in either San Francisco, Ft Collins or Chapel Hill.

This past week has been so relaxing with my brother Patrick and his family in their new house. Baby Thomas is a beautiful and healthy baby, and our family is blessed to have such a special new addition. My 9 year old niece Elvita is so smart and we seem to grow closer every time we see each other because she is very curious and asks a lot of questions, and I am honest and playful with her. I am thankful for my time here because as our family grows in size, our love expands in new directions.

So, what am I looking forward to in Costa Rica? I am having knee surgery on Monday, August 7th at 7:00. I return to work on the 14th, hopeful, and eventually I will start teaching yoga again soon. And my 25th birthday is on August 12.

Thank you for reading along with all over our adventures. Even though it may seem like everyday, normal, routine activities, this really was a dream come true for me. I showed Jimmy the best of this country, and he liked it, and we’ll be back. I feel melancholic as I write this final email that concludes our vacation here in my home country, because I am so happy for our great experiences and so sad to leave. I love my family so much and I am so grateful for my friends.

Thank you. Until next time, peace