It’s a journey: Part 2…. A day of rest

Hospitals are hitting the snooze button this weekend, so today was a chill day before the test frenzy kicks off tomorrow at Mayo Clinic. The morning was as leisurely as a sloth on vacation, which was perfect because I feel like a giant, lethargic balloon just waiting for someone to pop me…. Oh and the seal cough on the side is real attractive. 🤦🏻‍♀️

Our hotel has a Starbucks, which is like finding a pot of gold at the end of a rainbow for me. I’m taking that as a good omen! Plus, I got to enjoy some fresh oatmeal with blueberries—easy on the stomach and mouth/throat full of beautiful blisters. I was able to find the same mouthwash I have at home, here in MN, which is taking away some of the disgusting symptoms, won’t get into the gritty details!

We finally broke out of the hotel prison this afternoon to visit Tom’s cousins up in the land of 10,000 lakes, aka Minnesota. We hardly ever see them, so it was a blast to swap stories and dive into the family drama.

Honestly, I almost skipped it because, well, my reflection has been giving me some serious identity crisis vibes lately. I swear, I looked in the mirror and thought, "Who is this stranger with a swollen eyes, a round ass face and clearly struggling with doubt?" But hey, they're family—they know my situation better than anyone, and you know what they say: embrace the chaos! I might not win the "Miss Confident" pageant anytime soon, but I'm not about to let my inner critic steal the current moments from me!

My brain is having a wild emotional rollercoaster ride tonight as I prepare to dive into the process tomorrow. I feel like I've been run over by a truck, so it's a bit of a twist that all these tests and doctor visits are coinciding with my flare-up. I can tell this is probably snooze-worthy for Tom, but bless his heart for sticking around to help me sift through this chaos! If you know Tom, he’s cooler than a polar bear wearing sunglasses—always managing to pull me off the fiery ladder of drama and back down to solid ground, it’s another full time job for this man!

I'm thankful for my parents for keeping the kiddo crew in line while we are away with so much patience and love. And let’s not forget my friends! Their constant calls and texts to check in are like little happiness bombs going throughout my day. Extra thanks to everyone who’s stepped up to play chauffeur and babysitter while we’re working to get answers, especially with Ella’s softball schedule—you mamas are awesome and deserve Starbucks or tequila on me! Tomorrow is Day 3….. stay tuned.