2. I was forced to slow down and hang out with a cousin and good buddy, who I love very much, but at the same time, its hard to remember to spend time with him. You see, he's got cerebal paulsy in the worst way. That means, no talking(or the kind we are used to), no eating real food, and no real control over any motor skills. Yeah, that means walking is out of the question. Anyways, that translates into usually having to be creative to keep him (hes a couple months younger than me, so its not like hes a lil kid who can be easily entertained with peek-a-boo) to keep everyone included and having fun at the same time. Recently, due to my little experience, I ended up along the sidelines, watching everyone else work, and play, and do normal things, so I got to experience, sort of, what he has to go through every day of his life. It was a little more of an understanding, even though I grew up with him. It also went both ways I think, since he yelled as loud as he could to get someone to drive him to the hospital to see me, because he knows all too well what it feels like. So me and Ryan hung out a bit, and that was a cool feeling.

3. I' on the better half of my first recovery("first?!" you say? see: Bad news)

Bad:

1. This is the side that sucks. Friday I woke up at 5am(first clue. usually im up at noon ;) ) with a belly ache. By noon I was sick beyond sick and my family didnt know what was wrong with me. I wont go into detail. Just believe me when I say sick. Finally I'm driven crosstown (down the roller coaster 2-lane road out of the mountain first) to the ER and Im in surgery by 9pmish. The surgeon yanks out the biggest appendix hes ever seen, about ready to explode, then staples my belly button to cover his tracks.

2. During his yanking the appendix procedure he notices I have a big hernia on one side.  According to him and my parents, Im going to see another surgery room in the near future.

3. During the yanking the appendix and spotting a big hernia, the doctor notices a spot on the other side opposite the hernia where he figures I'll eventually have another hernia.

4. Being told by the doctor, then reminded in 5 minute intervals since then, that I cant lift anything larger than a milk carton(apparently my family took that to mean a pint sized version), and I can't swim, among other things. Although they didn't need to tell me twice since getting out of bed took more energy and pain than sprinting 10 miles.      Anyone who tells me being stuck in bed is better than helping my grandmother move is sadly mistaken. You have no idea.

5. Getting the freaking staples out on Wednesday.

6. No work til August 2nd. Another point in the bad that I'm sure some would put in the good, but seriously, work is the only thing that keeps me sane when I'm home with family.  :-)

Other:

Felt like I needed to add the above word so this part didnt seem like part of the bad news. :)