Friday the 6th brought a new day at home with optimism that the nightmare of pain was over.
BOY WAS I WRONG!!!!!!!!!
The nightmare was only beginning.
I represented to the hospital with severe pain on the other side of my abdomen. Same type of pain...other side. We never figured out what those pains truly were, but whatever the case, I believe that they saved my life because I was being monitored.
I was still under observation Sunday when Dad decided to go home. He flew home with a heavy heart, but needing to get back to his clinic. He called me when he got home to see how I was and I told him fine, but I had started spiking a fever. That evening, things took a turn for the worse when my pulse began racing and didn't slow down. It wasn't terribly high...110-125 give or take, but normal pulse should be 60-100 for me. Well, it kept creeping up.
By morning, the nurses were concerned, the PA that was seeing me was concerned and the decision was made to lifeflight me back to the hospital 2 1/2 hrs away. Lifeflight. Not a word that brings warm fuzzies. They took out my JP drain and away I flew.
The flight was uneventful. The ER admission showed my pulse to be still high, staying in the 120s-130s. About 3:00 in the afternoon, my dad and in-laws each started the 12-hour trek to get up here to be with me.
That night, I almost died.
Friday, May 13, 2011
Oh. My. Lanta. (Part 3)
I met with my surgeon who quickly accessed that it wasn't related to the fact that my gb had been removed. He believed it to be intestinal in nature. I screamed in his office. I screamed in x-ray. For 4 days, I screamed, cried, and begged for help. They gave me Dilaudid, a drug stronger than morphine. It dulled the pain slightly, but didn't take it away and I still cried. They diagnosed me with constipation, much to my disagreement. This part is a bit graphic, but necessary. On Sunday, they did 3 enemas, 2 suppositories, and I drank 2 doses of MiraLax. We worried that perhaps I was having a repeat of the condition that nearly took my life at 4 months of age (intucception).
Standing up, rocking back and forth, helped marginally, but enough that I wanted to stay on my feet at all times. I was already weak from surgery and lack of adequate food intake, but I needed to be up. It was a catch 22, as they say. I needed to stand, but I just couldn't for long periods of time.
FINALLY...much to my great relief...he decided to go back in on Tuesday to scope. I was seriously screaming day and night from Friday afternoon until Tuesday when I went under anesthesia. My poor hospital neighbors.
I again wake up to the normal hospital routines and am told that I have a JP drain coming out of my abdomen. My intestines had adheased to the bottom of my liver and my abdomen was filled with bile. Every time the intestines tried to function, it would tug the liver. Remember the enemas, etc? Yeah, they were forcing my bowels to TRY to function over and over and over, but they couldn't because they were stuck. The injury to the liver was leaking bile into my abdominal cavity as was my cytic duct that once connected my gb to my stomach-ish area.
A lady came in and said, "I just got off of the phone with your insurance and got pre-approval for the ambulance." I was still groggy and very confused as to why I would need an ambulance when I was clearly in a hospital. Long part of the story short, I was transferred to a larger city 2 1/2 hours away (where I currently sit writing this) to have a stent put in that would allow the leaking duct to shut off. It went off without a hitch. I was told no NSAIDs (ibuprofen-type drugs) and was sent on my way back to my home hospital.
The next day I went home and thought all was well...except for those stinkin' gas pains! I had now been inflated with CO2 3 times and let me TELL ya! It was NOT fun!
Standing up, rocking back and forth, helped marginally, but enough that I wanted to stay on my feet at all times. I was already weak from surgery and lack of adequate food intake, but I needed to be up. It was a catch 22, as they say. I needed to stand, but I just couldn't for long periods of time.
FINALLY...much to my great relief...he decided to go back in on Tuesday to scope. I was seriously screaming day and night from Friday afternoon until Tuesday when I went under anesthesia. My poor hospital neighbors.
I again wake up to the normal hospital routines and am told that I have a JP drain coming out of my abdomen. My intestines had adheased to the bottom of my liver and my abdomen was filled with bile. Every time the intestines tried to function, it would tug the liver. Remember the enemas, etc? Yeah, they were forcing my bowels to TRY to function over and over and over, but they couldn't because they were stuck. The injury to the liver was leaking bile into my abdominal cavity as was my cytic duct that once connected my gb to my stomach-ish area.
A lady came in and said, "I just got off of the phone with your insurance and got pre-approval for the ambulance." I was still groggy and very confused as to why I would need an ambulance when I was clearly in a hospital. Long part of the story short, I was transferred to a larger city 2 1/2 hours away (where I currently sit writing this) to have a stent put in that would allow the leaking duct to shut off. It went off without a hitch. I was told no NSAIDs (ibuprofen-type drugs) and was sent on my way back to my home hospital.
The next day I went home and thought all was well...except for those stinkin' gas pains! I had now been inflated with CO2 3 times and let me TELL ya! It was NOT fun!
Oh. My. Lanta. (Part 2)
Ok. Now the real, less-dramatized story. My parents dropped everything to come up for my surgery. It was nice because we got to spend Easter with them. Monday morning, I kissed my husband and babies good-bye and went under anesthesia. I woke up to people telling me to take a deep breath, tell them my name, etc. They said my surgery went well and that they repaired my umbilical hernia in the process.
Tuesday, I went home.
It was all as routine as that.
I felt that I had just had surgery for the next few days. It was pretty par for the course until the pains started.
I had been having the normal gas pains expected with a laproscopic surgery. Since they don't open you fully up, they inflate you with CO2 gas so that they can see what they're working on. It hurt, but with walking, deep breathing, and my incentive spirometer (a breathing apparatus), they would pass.
My parents had left Wednesday and Mark's parents arrived that night to take over with the kids.
I woke up Friday feeling a little blah. We decided to walk around downtown and I just didn't feel quite right, though I couldn't put my finger on it. Friday afternoon, I talked with my sister on the phone. I was laying down because I had been having those stinkin' gas pains, but walking wasn't helping. They were getting worse and worse and I finally said, "Dani, I need to let you go. I am about to start moaning and screaming from these pains. I won't really scream (I chuckled), but they really do hurt."
Thirty minutes later, Mark was taking me to the hospital because I was screaming with each pain.
Tuesday, I went home.
It was all as routine as that.
I felt that I had just had surgery for the next few days. It was pretty par for the course until the pains started.
I had been having the normal gas pains expected with a laproscopic surgery. Since they don't open you fully up, they inflate you with CO2 gas so that they can see what they're working on. It hurt, but with walking, deep breathing, and my incentive spirometer (a breathing apparatus), they would pass.
My parents had left Wednesday and Mark's parents arrived that night to take over with the kids.
I woke up Friday feeling a little blah. We decided to walk around downtown and I just didn't feel quite right, though I couldn't put my finger on it. Friday afternoon, I talked with my sister on the phone. I was laying down because I had been having those stinkin' gas pains, but walking wasn't helping. They were getting worse and worse and I finally said, "Dani, I need to let you go. I am about to start moaning and screaming from these pains. I won't really scream (I chuckled), but they really do hurt."
Thirty minutes later, Mark was taking me to the hospital because I was screaming with each pain.
Oh. My. Lanta. (Part 1)
I do not know how to begin this epistle. I am going to write it in parts. This is partially because of the enormity of it. Partially so that my readers won't be so overwhelmed by it. Partially because I shouldn't just sit here and type. I need to type some and then get up and walk. Type some and then get up and walk.
I am going to start at the beginning, as any story should. It WILL be long. That's the only way to fully tell the tale. So, if you want to hear it, you can read it. If you'd rather not, well, that's fine too. It is a story of my nightmares in many ways and one that would cause nightmares now if it weren't for my great God above.
Let me be clear from this moment on that I will be shouting His praises and glorifying Him through every high and every low. He. Is. GOOD.
The beginning is really back in Dec 2009 when I had my first gallbladder (gb, as I will refer to it from here on out) attack. Then, I found out in February that I was pregnant with my Keaton and the gb got ignored. I would have attacks off and on over the next year or so, but they were completely random and not dependent upon what I ate.
At the start of this year, it seemed that the attacks were increasing in frequency and this annoyed me. Number one, I didn't want to have surgery in the tiny town in which we live. Number two, I have 3 little ones to care for and the logistics seemed impossible. Number 3, who wants to have surgery?!?
I had a particularly fierce attack on April 22 which sent me to the ER prompting a visit with a surgeon the next day. I was shocked when he said, "Let's get you in Monday and get this thing out."
I had 3 days to prepare for surgery. I had to coordinate childcare, Mark's schedule (since he works nights), and a host of other things. This was only the beginning of the "adventure," however. What was supposed to be a 1-night stay after a "simple" laproscopic cholecystectomy (gb removal through 4 small holes) has turned into the nightmare which I am writing about.
Ok. I know that that was dramatic. Give me a break! I've been in a hospital bed for nearly 3 weeks! :)
I am going to start at the beginning, as any story should. It WILL be long. That's the only way to fully tell the tale. So, if you want to hear it, you can read it. If you'd rather not, well, that's fine too. It is a story of my nightmares in many ways and one that would cause nightmares now if it weren't for my great God above.
Let me be clear from this moment on that I will be shouting His praises and glorifying Him through every high and every low. He. Is. GOOD.
The beginning is really back in Dec 2009 when I had my first gallbladder (gb, as I will refer to it from here on out) attack. Then, I found out in February that I was pregnant with my Keaton and the gb got ignored. I would have attacks off and on over the next year or so, but they were completely random and not dependent upon what I ate.
At the start of this year, it seemed that the attacks were increasing in frequency and this annoyed me. Number one, I didn't want to have surgery in the tiny town in which we live. Number two, I have 3 little ones to care for and the logistics seemed impossible. Number 3, who wants to have surgery?!?
I had a particularly fierce attack on April 22 which sent me to the ER prompting a visit with a surgeon the next day. I was shocked when he said, "Let's get you in Monday and get this thing out."
I had 3 days to prepare for surgery. I had to coordinate childcare, Mark's schedule (since he works nights), and a host of other things. This was only the beginning of the "adventure," however. What was supposed to be a 1-night stay after a "simple" laproscopic cholecystectomy (gb removal through 4 small holes) has turned into the nightmare which I am writing about.
Ok. I know that that was dramatic. Give me a break! I've been in a hospital bed for nearly 3 weeks! :)
Friday, March 25, 2011
Cassie Girl
If you've followed my blog since its upstart (actually @ xanga), you know that I fondly called my baby girl Cassie Girl from the moment we found out that we were indeed having a girl. She is most definitely still my sweet Cassie Girl and I just love her sweet little heart. She is QUITE strong-willed and stubborn, but we're working on that.
Anyway, I had a few stories that I wanted to share about her. She is too, too much for me and I kinda worry about the future! :) She has been blessed with an ability to learn things very quickly and vocabulary seems to be one of her strong points.
At church Sunday, I gave her a $5 bill to put in the collection plate. I explained that Abraham Lincoln was a president a long time ago. I then got out a penny and showed her that it was the same. She looked at the penny and said, "OH! I always thought that was GOD! Hmmmm...." Too funny, but made this mommy proud that she knows where the money comes from and who it belongs to! :)
That same day, she said it was a beautiful day to play outside. I agreed. I then said to Mark, "I'm thinking about the P-A-R-K."
She said, "What did that spell?"
I said, "I wouldn't have spelled it if I had wanted you to know!"
Mark said, "I bet you can figure it out."
She was back there in her carseat going, "P-P-P--ah-ah-ah...Pah...rrr..rrr.rr..k.k.k.....Pa---rk. Pa---rk. Pa-rk. Pa-rk. PARK! I wanna go to the park!!!"
Later, when we were AT the park, she comes over to me and says, "It is a lovely day indeed."
Seriously. Where does she get this stuff?!? She is too much.
She is sounding things out everywhere. She read an exit sign yesterday and then asked what "exit" meant. We have been talking about logic, things "making sense," and doing things in the proper order. As I am clipping her toenails tonight, she says, "Remember how we were talking about doing things so that they make sense? Well, it wouldn't make sense for me to put socks on right before you're ready to clip my toenails."
Final story: We work on the concept of grace a lot. I think that it is huge to grasp the concept so that as her faith develops, she understands what an amazing gift grace is. Yesterday when I did her hair, I put some clips in and she didn't like them. So, I changed them to what she thought that she wanted. I went to dress Keaton and she decided that the ones I put in originally were better. Well, I wasn't playing switch the clips and told her so. Typically at this point, she would throw herself on the ground and start to throw a fit. We've been struggling with this recently. Anyway, I quickly reminded her that consequences are no fun. She gave a disgruntled grunty noise and left the room. I would later discover that she went and put the clips back where they belong. So, I took them into the bathroom to brush teeth and as she is brushing her teeth, I told her that sometimes when you make a good choice, there are GOOD consequences (not always, but sometimes). I switched her hair clips to the one she wanted and she had a huge grin on her face. She said, "Momma? Is that kinda like grace?" My heart leapt for joy.
It is not even remotely close to understanding the grace of God, but she understood the concept in a small, simple example. To me, God's grace is one of the greatest examples that He loves me unconditionally. While we were still sinners, Christ DIED for us...for me. He is perfectly just and therefore, I deserve nothing but death. However, because of His grace I have hope. I know that I am going to screw up no matter how hard I try. I know that I'm going to lose my temper and yell at my children. I know that I'm going to let people down. However, I know that God knows my heart and His grace is sufficient for even me.
My prayer for my sweet Cassie Girl is 2-fold. First, I pray that she understands that nothing...NOTHING can separate her from the love of her mommy and daddy OR from the love of God. Secondly, I pray that she understands the principle of extending grace to others. I pray that she looks at situations objectively so that she can be graceful to others...especially this mommy who will fail her more than I can bear to think. Those are the concepts that I am currently working on with her...trying to show her in everyday life and everyday situations.
I pray that as Cassie understands grace a little more each time we talk about it, that her understanding of God deepens and roots a little deeper in her sweet little heart.
That is what this motherhood thing is all about...making sure that those roots are nice and deep!
Anyway, I had a few stories that I wanted to share about her. She is too, too much for me and I kinda worry about the future! :) She has been blessed with an ability to learn things very quickly and vocabulary seems to be one of her strong points.
At church Sunday, I gave her a $5 bill to put in the collection plate. I explained that Abraham Lincoln was a president a long time ago. I then got out a penny and showed her that it was the same. She looked at the penny and said, "OH! I always thought that was GOD! Hmmmm...." Too funny, but made this mommy proud that she knows where the money comes from and who it belongs to! :)
That same day, she said it was a beautiful day to play outside. I agreed. I then said to Mark, "I'm thinking about the P-A-R-K."
She said, "What did that spell?"
I said, "I wouldn't have spelled it if I had wanted you to know!"
Mark said, "I bet you can figure it out."
She was back there in her carseat going, "P-P-P--ah-ah-ah...Pah...rrr..rrr.rr..k.k.k.....Pa---rk. Pa---rk. Pa-rk. Pa-rk. PARK! I wanna go to the park!!!"
Later, when we were AT the park, she comes over to me and says, "It is a lovely day indeed."
Seriously. Where does she get this stuff?!? She is too much.
She is sounding things out everywhere. She read an exit sign yesterday and then asked what "exit" meant. We have been talking about logic, things "making sense," and doing things in the proper order. As I am clipping her toenails tonight, she says, "Remember how we were talking about doing things so that they make sense? Well, it wouldn't make sense for me to put socks on right before you're ready to clip my toenails."
Final story: We work on the concept of grace a lot. I think that it is huge to grasp the concept so that as her faith develops, she understands what an amazing gift grace is. Yesterday when I did her hair, I put some clips in and she didn't like them. So, I changed them to what she thought that she wanted. I went to dress Keaton and she decided that the ones I put in originally were better. Well, I wasn't playing switch the clips and told her so. Typically at this point, she would throw herself on the ground and start to throw a fit. We've been struggling with this recently. Anyway, I quickly reminded her that consequences are no fun. She gave a disgruntled grunty noise and left the room. I would later discover that she went and put the clips back where they belong. So, I took them into the bathroom to brush teeth and as she is brushing her teeth, I told her that sometimes when you make a good choice, there are GOOD consequences (not always, but sometimes). I switched her hair clips to the one she wanted and she had a huge grin on her face. She said, "Momma? Is that kinda like grace?" My heart leapt for joy.
It is not even remotely close to understanding the grace of God, but she understood the concept in a small, simple example. To me, God's grace is one of the greatest examples that He loves me unconditionally. While we were still sinners, Christ DIED for us...for me. He is perfectly just and therefore, I deserve nothing but death. However, because of His grace I have hope. I know that I am going to screw up no matter how hard I try. I know that I'm going to lose my temper and yell at my children. I know that I'm going to let people down. However, I know that God knows my heart and His grace is sufficient for even me.
My prayer for my sweet Cassie Girl is 2-fold. First, I pray that she understands that nothing...NOTHING can separate her from the love of her mommy and daddy OR from the love of God. Secondly, I pray that she understands the principle of extending grace to others. I pray that she looks at situations objectively so that she can be graceful to others...especially this mommy who will fail her more than I can bear to think. Those are the concepts that I am currently working on with her...trying to show her in everyday life and everyday situations.
I pray that as Cassie understands grace a little more each time we talk about it, that her understanding of God deepens and roots a little deeper in her sweet little heart.
That is what this motherhood thing is all about...making sure that those roots are nice and deep!
Saturday, March 12, 2011
KEATERS!
Wow! I have a ton to say about this kid. What a week this has been for his development! Let's see...first of all, I think that I have mentioned that he sits alone. So far, it is only for a minute or 2 before he gets distracted and falls over. Anyway, he had never rolled over. I found this highly amusing that he would sit before rolling.
Well, he has rolled AND rolled AND rolled some more. He loves it. This has made for some ANGRY awakenings in his crib, but overall, he loves rolling. I went to change over laundry yesterday and found him 180 degrees turned and rolled over from how I had left him.
He has started scooting. He's scary good at it. His older siblings didn't crawl (either of them) until the day after their 1st birthday. They both waited to walk until just before 15 months. I think that he might be wanting to get in on the action!
Now, for the thing that I wanted to get chronicled most of all. He responds to questions. I'm not even joking. If you ask him if he wants something, he will do 1 of 2 things. He will either reach for it OR....HE WILL SHAKE HIS HEAD NO! I'm not even joking. I got it on video on my phone. He did it twice on my video. Mark and the kids have all seen it. I don't know what to make of it, but it is truly amazing. In the middle of the night last night, I offered him his paci and he shook his head no and pursed his lips. It isn't a fluke, it is a real response. Pretty crazy.
Still no teeth. I'm going nutso with this teething. I'm not sure that they will never break through. They've been SO close forever, it seems. Oh, well, they'll come eventually!
Well, that is it. Just wanted to get some stuff written down. Thanks for stopping by!
Well, he has rolled AND rolled AND rolled some more. He loves it. This has made for some ANGRY awakenings in his crib, but overall, he loves rolling. I went to change over laundry yesterday and found him 180 degrees turned and rolled over from how I had left him.
He has started scooting. He's scary good at it. His older siblings didn't crawl (either of them) until the day after their 1st birthday. They both waited to walk until just before 15 months. I think that he might be wanting to get in on the action!
Now, for the thing that I wanted to get chronicled most of all. He responds to questions. I'm not even joking. If you ask him if he wants something, he will do 1 of 2 things. He will either reach for it OR....HE WILL SHAKE HIS HEAD NO! I'm not even joking. I got it on video on my phone. He did it twice on my video. Mark and the kids have all seen it. I don't know what to make of it, but it is truly amazing. In the middle of the night last night, I offered him his paci and he shook his head no and pursed his lips. It isn't a fluke, it is a real response. Pretty crazy.
Still no teeth. I'm going nutso with this teething. I'm not sure that they will never break through. They've been SO close forever, it seems. Oh, well, they'll come eventually!
Well, that is it. Just wanted to get some stuff written down. Thanks for stopping by!
Friday, March 4, 2011
Topsy Turvy Upside Down!
Wow. Life has been blowing by at top speed and I'm never sure as to what day it is. We're in our new house. It's not yet a home, but it is looking more that way each day.
Mark is on a new schedule at work, working midnights. He just started last night. He then texted me at 8:00 and said that they had forced him overtime of 4 hours. Lovely. He worked from 11:30 pm to 11:30 am. He was less than thrilled.
Keaton is now sitting up for minutes at a time. He prefers being upright, specifically standing, but he'll take sitting if that's all he can get. He even prefers going to sleep sitting up. Crazy kid. He won't roll over...AT ALL. He could care less about rolling, but he wants to be upright!
My friend, Holly, has started a foundation, The KAJ Foundation, along with her husband and another family. It is to provide much-needed equipment for the NICU at the hospital where their babies stayed when more extremely prematurely. They go without a lot due to budgets and such. I wanted to do a shout-out in case anyone is interested in supporting this great foundation. If anyone is interested, I can get you in touch with them. 100% of the money that comes in will go to help premies and babies with difficulty at birth have a fighting chance! Holly is my friend that I asked for prayers 2 1/2 years ago when her daughter was born at 27 weeks, 5 days. What an incredible 2 1/2 years they have had as they have watched their sweet girl blossom into a healthy, active, strong-willed little firecracker! The "A" of KAJ is for her. The K and J are for twins. Sadly, the little girl was not on this earth very long before going to be with Jesus. The little boy, however, is about 3 1/2 and is thriving. Anyway, just a little background. They are obviously passionate about this cause and are hoping to raise $50,000 @ a benefit concert in April. I just thought that I would spread the word to my readers. If you feel moved to help the littlest babies have a fighting chance at life, let me know and I'll hook you up with Holly.
I guess that's about it. Life is crazy, but good. We thank God for being Jehovah Jireh...the God that always provides. I hope that you all feel His presence and His blessings every day!
Mark is on a new schedule at work, working midnights. He just started last night. He then texted me at 8:00 and said that they had forced him overtime of 4 hours. Lovely. He worked from 11:30 pm to 11:30 am. He was less than thrilled.
Keaton is now sitting up for minutes at a time. He prefers being upright, specifically standing, but he'll take sitting if that's all he can get. He even prefers going to sleep sitting up. Crazy kid. He won't roll over...AT ALL. He could care less about rolling, but he wants to be upright!
My friend, Holly, has started a foundation, The KAJ Foundation, along with her husband and another family. It is to provide much-needed equipment for the NICU at the hospital where their babies stayed when more extremely prematurely. They go without a lot due to budgets and such. I wanted to do a shout-out in case anyone is interested in supporting this great foundation. If anyone is interested, I can get you in touch with them. 100% of the money that comes in will go to help premies and babies with difficulty at birth have a fighting chance! Holly is my friend that I asked for prayers 2 1/2 years ago when her daughter was born at 27 weeks, 5 days. What an incredible 2 1/2 years they have had as they have watched their sweet girl blossom into a healthy, active, strong-willed little firecracker! The "A" of KAJ is for her. The K and J are for twins. Sadly, the little girl was not on this earth very long before going to be with Jesus. The little boy, however, is about 3 1/2 and is thriving. Anyway, just a little background. They are obviously passionate about this cause and are hoping to raise $50,000 @ a benefit concert in April. I just thought that I would spread the word to my readers. If you feel moved to help the littlest babies have a fighting chance at life, let me know and I'll hook you up with Holly.
I guess that's about it. Life is crazy, but good. We thank God for being Jehovah Jireh...the God that always provides. I hope that you all feel His presence and His blessings every day!
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