Hurry up...

...and wait.

It was time to employ an army spouses greatest, but most loathed (and practiced) skill.  Waiting. 

I called twice in the first week, then once the next.  I was starting to lose hope after she said to me "oh.  You're the girl who went above me and demanded to speak to the surgeon."  She should have been happy I didn't go above her and talk to patient advocacy, in my opinion.

We were about to leave for Disney and Bella was still having on and off again fevers and was pretty sick (by this point she had missed almost all of school in November and December), and I was about to have my left hand carpal tunnel surgery done.  I just left it to fate, I had way too much on my plate at this point. 

Then one morning I woke up to a polka dotted Bella with another high fever.  Called the appointment line and once again, yay tri care, no appointments for almost 3 weeks. I was told "Take her to the ER if you can't wait that long."  Wonder why our ER wait times are so long...hmm  So that's just what I did.

We were in the Er about 8 hours when finally they came racing in to tell me to get her ready, they were transporting her for admittance at the local children's hospital.  Words no parent wants to hear.

She spent 4 days there where they ran every test under the sun to try to figure out what she had.  In the end, it was mono.  We signed out there and took me immediately to hand surgery.

My parents came down to help and it was wonderful to have them around.  The kids were so upset about missing the Disney trip, but there was no way for Bella to make it.  She was still spiking fevers constantly and just slept all the time.  She would have been cranky and would have missed the whole adventure.  Having my parents show up perked up their mood a bit. 

Still no phone call.

Then, on Christmas Adam (the 23rd, the day before Christmas Eve for those not in the know) my mom and I were going around Hobby Lobby and it came.  A slot opened up.  If I wanted it, my surgery would be on Jan 2.  Certainly a great way to spend the new year.   Pre-op diet would start on the 26th. 

Finally, my time had come!!!