from the hospital...

I feel silly blogging about my own health situation. But if one of my friends were going through this, I would want to know all the gory details, so here are some of mine:


Wednesday: I noticed a stomachache; thought nothing of it. It got worse during my day of babysitting 2 toddlers, so by late afternoon I hadn't eaten anything and was in pretty severe pain. I forced down some Saltines to have the energy to put Carson to bed, and then I crawled into my own bed, hoping to sleep it off. That night was horrible; I woke up every half hour in pain, or with a dry mouth, or to go dry-heave in the bathroom. Pain was belly-button level, all around the abdomen. If you guess the diagnosis early, you get a prize.


Thursday morning: I called and went to see my doctor. This is highly unusual for me, as I would usually tough it out for a few days. However, I was very worried about... drum roll, please... our baby #2, 16-week-old Mr. Fetus. (Sorry for the abrupt announcement, but it's necessary for the story here.) So, I told kind Julie that I would only leave Carson for an hour or so, and headed off to the doctor, hunched over in pain. I assured the doctor that it was probably a stomach flu, but that I just wanted to make sure my baby was ok. Wise doc took labs and decided (lots of leukocytes) that there was an infection somewhere. She pressed on the left side of my abdomen--fine. She pressed on the right side-- ouch!! So, I was sent directly to the hospital.


Thursday afternoon: The ultrasound (would be a CT scan, but due to pregnancy had to be ultrasound) definitely showed an inflamed appendix. The ultrasound tech officially added me to his list of "interesting cases." So interesting, in fact, that the whole crew of radiologists came in to take turns poking and prodding me to find my nice big appendix, squished by little baby. So, they sent me over to the Emergency Department, where they said I would be sent right to surgery. I sat in that sinkin' ED for 6 hours, on an uncomfortable bed, in pain. I was visited by many doctors, all assuring me that they were meeting with a team to figure out the best plan to do this surgery and protect the baby. Rick called a friend who works as a surgeon here, and he was SO kind to call and help me get in a little quicker. THANK YOU!! As they wheeled me up to surgery, I spotted another friend from our church. He turned out to be my anesthesiologist! At this point, I was all alone, as I had forecefully sent Rick home to study for Friday's test. The anesthesiology residents all found it hilarious that I had sent him home. So, it was a special miracle to have a friend with me throughout the entire surgery, taking care of me and baby. I think, at one point I told him, "don't let anyone touch my baby!" Surgery was from about 8 p.m. til midnight.


the wee hours of Friday morning: Surgery was successful. My appendix was apparantly "nasty," oozing with puss, as it had burst some. (good thing we didn't wait any longer to take it out, ehh?) As usual, I woke up from the anesthesia a little crazy, crying some and screaming for Rick and my friend Carrie, who was coming to be with me. They put Rick on the phone, and I got a little loopy, cheering him on to, "Go study, honey!!" That loopiness lasted a couple more hours, and Carrie and my recently-arrived parents got to see quite a show. Finally, I slept some, with Carrie being a wonderful friend and nurse throughout the night.


Friday: was quite painful. I thought recovery would go a lot smoother. I guess the anesthesia fills you up with CO2, which results in intense pain all in your abdomen, shoulders and neck afterwards. Breathing is very painful! I didn't eat much, just tried to sip fluids and walk around a tiny bit and deal with the pain. Carrie is so amazing for staying all night and then putting up with me half that day. (During stage loopy, I kept gushing, "Isn't Carrie just so great??" Funny, but true.) Finally, Rick finished his test and came to be with me. This night was especially painful for me, and I was so grateful to have a loving husband there to pray for and with me.


Saturday morning: I was discharged and loved going home to watch Carson laugh and play. He follows my mom around like she is his own! However, my pain wasn't doing too well, and lots of nausea set in. Rick came in to chat with me after eating a burger, and I nearly threw him off the couch for his nauseating smell.


the wee hours of Sunday morning: The nausea progressed to... vomit, vomit, and more vomit. I went back to the hospital in a daze at 3 a.m. After impressing the ER nurse with my ability to continue vomiting at her desk, she admitted me right away. This is the point where I told Rick I was sure I was going to die. I kept sort of fading in and out, and when I was "out," I had the most vivid, pleasant dreams, sometimes like I was re-living my life! Sort of cool, now that it's over. In the ER, a doctor came in and introduced himself as a friend-of-a-friend. He took such good care of me, and once again, I'm so grateful. So, they gave me lots of IV fluid and I started feeling a lot better.


Sunday: I actually felt great once re-hydrated. The only issue was getting my bowels to work correctly... which we're still working on today, Monday, at the hospital. Let's just say, ew.


Sorry for the lengthy post. I hope to be discharged soon and able to take care of my sweet baby(ies) soon after that. I just want to say that I am so grateful for modern medicine, caring friends, my growing faith, prayer, and my wonderfully helpful family.