Unbeknownst to me, Glen's right thumb has been numb for days--nay!--for weeks--nay!--for MONTHS, many months, and he has not bothered to mention it.
When he started experiencing sharp shooting pains in his palm going down into his first and second fingers, he decided it was time to see a doctor where he mentioned the numb thumb to both the doctor and me.
The doctor pressed Glen's wrist as he was talking to Glen and after a bit asked Glen if that hurt. Glen was enduring the pain and was wishing the doctor would stop. He exclaimed, "YES, that hurt!!!!
Carpal tunnel was the diagnosis and the doctor said the surgery needs to be done sooner than later, but then the first open day on the doctor's schedule was not for 2 weeks. UGH!!!
That was both good and bad. Good because we were leaving soon for our upcoming trip, with another trip on the schedule several weeks after that. So the timing for surgery happening between the trips was good.
Bad because Glen was already in pain and that meant he had a couple more weeks of pain to endure--which he is finding is getting continually more painful as the days go on.
Surgery is set for February 20th. The doctor gave Glen two options for surgery. He could either be put totally out, or he could opt for a local anesthetic and be awake for the whole thing. Glen has an iron stomach and definitely opted for the latter.
Now let me tell you about how we celebrated our 45th wedding anniversary and Valentine's Day.
Usually this photo would show the definition of romance according to my husband--eating at HIS favorite restaurant, Chick-fil-A. I was admiring the live flowers that were on every table, though.
Yes, this is truly the photo taken of the two of us on our anniversary. At Chick-fil-A. And look at us all dressed up for the occasion.
I know, I know, I know!! To all those reading this who are just dying about this location--just know I was dying about it, too!!
But, in my husband's defense, we didn't have much time and had to choose a speedy restaurant. We had spent the morning at my parents' home with Glen helping Dad with his finances. We had to be back in Bountiful to work our shift 3 ordinance work assignment, so there wasn't much time in between.
And, as I have mentioned in a previous post, not only does Glen love Chick-fil-A, but my mother loves it as well. So that is where we all went for lunch.
It was fine. During the meal, I kept thinking about the REAL anniversary/Valentine's Day celebration we would be having together in a couple of days.
We left on Saturday with a destination of going somewhere warmer than here. We chose Las Vegas and stayed at the Orleans Casino. From our window, we could see the Strip off in the distance.
We went to the Luxor where we had tickets that evening to the show "America's Got Talent Live!"
We ate at Public House Restaurant before the show.
Glen and I really like to watch America's Got Talent together at home, so we thought it would be fun to go to the Vegas show and see some of the acts we had watched on TV perform in real life.
One of the comedians we enjoyed was the MC for the show.
This guy was an aerialist. He is so limber he can bend in half backwards. CRAZY!
A silhouette company moved their bodies in such a way to make beautiful and unique shadows all throughout their act. The dog is actually two people.
There was an opera-singing ventriloquist who was performing a seance. She didn't use a dummy, but had her voice project from various objects.
There was a marching drums act, and many more acts to keep us entertained.
Sunday morning we had breakfast at the Copper Whisk restaurant in our hotel. We are so bummed that the buffet is no longer up and running in lots of casinos that we used to like to eat at, and this casino is no exception. It used to be so convenient to get a quick buffet breakfast before heading out for the day.
We attended a 10:30 sacrament meeting and stayed for their priesthood/Relief Society meetings.
After we changed our clothes, we took a little drive ten miles south of Las Vegas to see Seven Magic Mountains, a large-scale desert artwork.
These are the "mountains." I do not get what is so "magic" about them at all!!! Or why this is considered "art." I guess I am not cultured enough to appreciate the artisticness of this presentation.
It was sure windy out there!!!
I would change the name to Seven Neon Boulder Stacks if I were in charge of naming this artwork.
The boulders were fun to see for a little diversion in our day. Or should I say as a time place holder until it was time for us to go to our buffet dinner at the Wynn.
Glen loved filling up on all the meat and shrimp he could eat. My favorite part of the meal was the dessert. I am glad I got three, because they were the only desserts I ate the whole trip. This was the only buffet we went to all week.
It was CRAZY how busy the casinos were that weekend because it was Super Bowl Sunday. There were viewing rooms set up at the fancy Wynn buffet so people could watch the game while they ate.
We watched the last half of the game in our room.
Funny story about the Super Bowl.
I wanted to plan our trip to Arizona. When Glen was looking up hotels in Phoenix, he was appalled that the hotel room prices were outrageous--$900 a night. He wondered what in the world was going on to cause that much price increase. Then he figured out it was because of the Super Bowl being played in Phoenix.
Since it has been announced that the Super Bowl will be in Las Vegas next year, we will definitely not be planning another anniversary trip to that location in a year.
Monday morning we were back at the Copper Whisk. I did not feel like eggs again because mine the day before were very undercooked and watery.
So, instead, I ordered a BLT thinking that could be breakfasty with the bacon and toast and minus the egg. Little did I know they had put 20+ strips of bacon in the sandwich. Also, there was half a head of lettuce on each half of the sandwich. So much food!!!! I shared over half my bacon with Glen.
I was so intrigued with the brass instruments lighting fixtures in the restaurant. So cool!
Off we went with our bacon-filled tummies to Springs Preserve.
We took a wander around the grounds.
This building was an optical illusion. From a distance it looked like a glass house. Upon closer view, it became apparent that it was an open-air gathering place with no glass in it whatsoever.
After walking the grounds, we went in a museum.
This is a simulation of a flash flood. There was LOTS of water that appeared instantly!!!
The Las Vegas Strip was visible off in the distance.
That evening we had dinner at the America Restaurant.
I loved the huge map of the United States hanging at an angle over part of the restaurant.
As we walked into the restaurant, there were pastries to tempt people to pick up a dessert when they were hungry before they ordered and ate their meal. It was sure a beautiful display of sweet treats.
We took a walk to the Bellagio to see the conservatory and botanical gardens which changes every few months. There was a display celebrating the Chinese New Year, the year of the rabbit.
As we were walking out of the Bellagio, it was perfect timing for us to watch the water show.
We were walking a lot that day as we took a long walk to New York, New York to watch the Terry Fator show.
He is a ventriloquist who can do over 200 impersonations. That is crazy good! He is also an excellent singer both in his own voice and in all his impersonation voices. What talent!
There was one point where he was singing for two of his puppets at the same time! How is that done??
Despite the talent of the man, we were disappointed it had so much distasteful humor throughout the show. It was very unexpected because it was not touted as a show for a mature audience. The age requirements said 5 years and older. HELLO!!??!! That should mean a family show!
We were not very thrilled with the venue. It was held in what looked like a hotel conference room with very uncomfortable chairs placed very close to each other. Unfortunately, we would not recommend this show.
It appeared Terry was ill because he was drinking water all throughout the show. He would also turn his back to the audience frequently, which I kept wondering what he was doing. Glen said he could see that he kept wiping his nose. Poor guy!
Knowing he was sick, I would have to say he was quite amazing. The show must go on!!!!
