So I have a body that apparently hates me. I'm always getting these weird aches and pains, and when I go to the doctor (which I always wait to do, as I'm not fond of their profession), they can never figure out what's up.
At the beginning of the year, I was having shooting pains up my left arm (no, it was NOT a heart attack). I've had problems with carpal tunnel in the past, and apparently it was time to go through it again. I would wake up in the middle of the night with my arm completely numb and tingling, and as it would "wake up," the pain would begin. As you can imagine, it was not a fun, sexy time.
Finally, I decided to have surgery. I was a little hesitant on it, as one of the doctors had shot me up with something and I didn't have the pain that I once did. But I was getting married soon (as in a month), so I wanted to get it done as soon as possible. My mom was gracious enough to come up and make sure I didn't die during surgery.
The Monday before my surgery, I woke up with a full-on stomachache. I felt a little bad about calling in sick to work, as I was taking the latter half of the week off for surgery, in addition to the next week. Hoping it was just a stomach flu, I kept a close eye on my temperature (which was a little raised) and drank lots of fluids and slept a lot. Monday night I took a cold bath in hopes of getting my temperature down. It helped a little and I thought I was on the mend.
Tuesday morning, I'm still feeling like shit, so I call in sick again. My mom was due to arrive that night, and I was hoping to kick this flu bug before Wednesday, otherwise I couldn't have the surgery. I spent the day doing the same thing: watching TV, falling asleep while watching TV, then waking up and downing gallons of OJ while watching TV. When my mom finally showed up, I thought I was doing pretty good. But then I got up to get ready to go to dinner, and my temperature shot right up and the pain got even worse.
So I listened to my mom and we went to the hospital. After SEVEN HOURS IN THE EMERGENCY ROOM and several tests later -- including a CAT scan -- the doctors finally figured out what was going on. It was not the flu. It was my appendix. Since I was having pain in a different place then where my appendix is supposed to be (I have malrotated intestines, which means that pretty much all my innards are not where they're supposed to be), the docs were a bit confused. Anyway, I had surgery that night, spent the night in the hospital, and went home to recover.
Two weeks later, I'm still feeling pretty crappy. The incisions hurts quite a bit, and watching me walk was like watching a glacier move. I took a lot of those fantastic pain pills they give you, but the night before I saw the doctor, I didn't. While at the doctor's office, my temp shot way up again (to 103) and the doctor told me I had an infection from the surgery and needed to stay the night. Well, that was the night of one of my bridal showers, so I wasn't too keen on that. I tried to talk him out of it, but he said no. I sent Jared in my place.
Actually, I'm glad I spent that night there. The pain was even more worse than it was before the surgery, so they shot me up with a ton of morphine and antibiotics. By morning, my infection was gone, and they didn't have to do another surgery to drain where the infection was.
So I went home, feeling a ton better. A few days later, on Friday, I drove to Pocatello for a library conference. On the way back, I managed to fall asleep at the wheel, and I flipped my car (by the way, this is a week before the wedding). Fortunately, I only had a small cut and a bruised ankle (which I'm still trying to figure out how that happened -- the bruised ankle, not the flipped car). And luckily, my sister-in-law Alisha was driving by at that time. She and her girls were going to visit my brother Josh in Utah, where he was working. They took care of me until Jared showed up (who I'm pretty sure didn't obey a single speed sign until he got to the crash site. He made it from Jerome to Burley, normal a 50 minute-ish trip in, I kid you not, like 20 minutes).
All throughout this experience, I just marvel at how much I'm blessed. How fortuitous I was that my mom was coming to Twin Falls when my appendix decided to go out on me. How lucky I was to have the antibiotics work on my infection so I didn't have to have another surgery. And how blessed I am to have a family and friends that will help me out no matter when I need them.
Saturday, September 12, 2009
Life Gets in the Way
It's true. Life gets in the way of everything: my TV watching, my blogging, my Facebook time. That's a major reason why I haven't blogged in a while. Well, that and I'm lazy. And Jared keeps hogging the computer (even as I type this he's kind of hovering, just waiting for the chance that I need to step away to pee or eat so he can swoop in and take over. Not going to happen, honey). But mostly it's because I'm lazy.
So, to recap since I last blogged... Um, pretty much nothing major has gone on. Jared and I did go to the fair, and he won me this really cute duck (I had to help). It was pretty fun. Jared was working the Best Buy booth, so I just wandered around the merchants buildings until I got bored and then walked the mile and a half out to my car.
See? Isn't he cute? I love the way he just STARES AT YOU.
Another reason it's been awhile since I've blogged is because my wrists and hands are getting worse. I finally went to the doctor, and I have some weird cysts on the backs of my hand. He says it's because I do a lot of repetitive movements-- the major culprit being typing. So I've been trying to cut back, especially at work. :) I'm supposed to ice them and hope that helps. If not, I get cortisone shots. And if that doesn't work, then surgery. Since I've had my quota of surgery for the year (you know what? That's going to be the next blog!), I'm doing all I can to avoid it.
Life just stays busy, which is good, since it keeps me off the streets and out of trouble. I just wish I had more hours in the day! But, you know what, I'd probably use those to sleep.
So, to recap since I last blogged... Um, pretty much nothing major has gone on. Jared and I did go to the fair, and he won me this really cute duck (I had to help). It was pretty fun. Jared was working the Best Buy booth, so I just wandered around the merchants buildings until I got bored and then walked the mile and a half out to my car.
See? Isn't he cute? I love the way he just STARES AT YOU.Another reason it's been awhile since I've blogged is because my wrists and hands are getting worse. I finally went to the doctor, and I have some weird cysts on the backs of my hand. He says it's because I do a lot of repetitive movements-- the major culprit being typing. So I've been trying to cut back, especially at work. :) I'm supposed to ice them and hope that helps. If not, I get cortisone shots. And if that doesn't work, then surgery. Since I've had my quota of surgery for the year (you know what? That's going to be the next blog!), I'm doing all I can to avoid it.
Life just stays busy, which is good, since it keeps me off the streets and out of trouble. I just wish I had more hours in the day! But, you know what, I'd probably use those to sleep.
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Trippin'
Today, as I was going to and from Burley for a library conference planning meeting, I spazzed out a little on the road. You see, it's been almost 4 months to the day (April 24, 2009) that I had my little accident, and by little, I mean, flipping my car. It was kinda traumatizing at the time (as one could imagine; hopefully you've never experienced it).
Earlier that month, I had my appendix out (it's an entertaining story -- well, except for the surgery part, which I'LL BE PAYING FOR UNTIL THE DAY I DIE -- but there are some funny things too. I'll blog about it later) and earlier in the week, I had another emergency stay for an abcess that developed (that was a pretty horrific night). Anyway, on that day, April 24, I was giving a presentation with my coworker in Pocatello. Stupidly I thought I was well enough to go. Well, on the way back, I fell asleep at the wheel (I'm blaming it on the good painkillers I had). Fortunately I only flipped my car once. I was wearing my seat belt (thankfully) and I only walked away with one small scratch on my arm and a bruise on my shin. Oh, and a completely totalled car (I busted out the passenger side windows and the back window, crunched the top of the car, and lost a wheel or two. Oh, and my rear view mirror came off too).
As I was traveling to Burley and getting closer to the accident site, the following thoughts began rambling in my head, over and over and over again: "I could have hit a pole." "I could have gone over that bridge, had I crashed just 30 seconds later." "I could have gone into the other lane of traffic." And so on and etc. Of course, that freaked me out a little bit, especially since I had a hard time ignoring the thoughts.
But here was one of the final thoughts I had: "You are so lucky to be alive." And I am. I don't know why I lived through it, but I sure am glad I did (as is Jared; the accident was a week before our wedding and I'm pretty sure he wouldn't have liked being a widower before he was a husband). For whatever reason, God let me live that day, and for that, I will always be thankful.
Though I still wish I had my car Lucas.
Earlier that month, I had my appendix out (it's an entertaining story -- well, except for the surgery part, which I'LL BE PAYING FOR UNTIL THE DAY I DIE -- but there are some funny things too. I'll blog about it later) and earlier in the week, I had another emergency stay for an abcess that developed (that was a pretty horrific night). Anyway, on that day, April 24, I was giving a presentation with my coworker in Pocatello. Stupidly I thought I was well enough to go. Well, on the way back, I fell asleep at the wheel (I'm blaming it on the good painkillers I had). Fortunately I only flipped my car once. I was wearing my seat belt (thankfully) and I only walked away with one small scratch on my arm and a bruise on my shin. Oh, and a completely totalled car (I busted out the passenger side windows and the back window, crunched the top of the car, and lost a wheel or two. Oh, and my rear view mirror came off too).
As I was traveling to Burley and getting closer to the accident site, the following thoughts began rambling in my head, over and over and over again: "I could have hit a pole." "I could have gone over that bridge, had I crashed just 30 seconds later." "I could have gone into the other lane of traffic." And so on and etc. Of course, that freaked me out a little bit, especially since I had a hard time ignoring the thoughts.
But here was one of the final thoughts I had: "You are so lucky to be alive." And I am. I don't know why I lived through it, but I sure am glad I did (as is Jared; the accident was a week before our wedding and I'm pretty sure he wouldn't have liked being a widower before he was a husband). For whatever reason, God let me live that day, and for that, I will always be thankful.
Though I still wish I had my car Lucas.
Monday, August 17, 2009
An Interesting Prayer
So yesterday, Jared and I were fulfilling our calling as Sunbeam teachers. Some Sundays it's a little tiring, as we can have up to 8 rambunctious 3-4 year-olds. I've got to tell you, this is probably one of the best forms of birth control out there; at least it will dissuade us for having multiple children all the same age. Anyway, yesterday was SO nice as we only had 4 kids, and they were mostly our mellow ones. We did have Jane, who is a sweet and cute kid, but has a tendency to run around and be more vocal than the others. Unfortunately for her (but fortunately for us), she broke her femur while jumping on the couch and is now in a wheelchair. While I do feel bad for the kid (I do! I really do! That can't be fun, especially in summer!), it's nice not having to worry where Jane is and what she's into.
Anyway, so we were getting ready for closing prayer. We asked for a volunteer and Ellie, this cute little blonde girl, said she would say it. Jared asked if she needed any help and she said that no, she can do it. This is kind of how the prayer went:
"Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for this day, please bless Mommy and Daddy that they may get home, please bless that we may be able to get up and get dressed for church, please bless this food..." And then she opened her eyes and loudly whispered, "Okay, I need some help!" Jared had to help her as I was trying to control my giggles. It's was pretty much the funniest thing I'd seen this week.
Anyway, so we were getting ready for closing prayer. We asked for a volunteer and Ellie, this cute little blonde girl, said she would say it. Jared asked if she needed any help and she said that no, she can do it. This is kind of how the prayer went:
"Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for this day, please bless Mommy and Daddy that they may get home, please bless that we may be able to get up and get dressed for church, please bless this food..." And then she opened her eyes and loudly whispered, "Okay, I need some help!" Jared had to help her as I was trying to control my giggles. It's was pretty much the funniest thing I'd seen this week.
Saturday, August 15, 2009
Bethred the Destroyer!
So I woke up early this morning (and by early I mean before noon) and thought, Hey, I need to do a blog. Why? Because everyone else is doing it. Plus, I feel a little bad for not keeping in touch as much as I should. I'm horrible with letter writing and emails, and I don't really like to talk on the phone. Yeah, I know. I like to make things difficult for friends and family. So anyway, I woke up and started thinking about my first post. When I was finally free from my husband's grasp (he can be quite the octopus in the morning, especially if we don't have to work), I wandered to the computer.
I feel if I have to explain something here: Jared loves his computer more than life. It's true. When he gets up in the morning, it's the first thing he goes to, and it's the last thing he's doing before going to bed. I really don't mind too much, but we only have internet on one computer, so you can imagine how hard it is for me to get on it.
So I got to the computer first (the joys of waking up early on Saturdays) and started typing, only to be attacked by our kitten Primal Fury Destroyer of Worlds. Yes, that's her name. Jared named her. Apparently she missed us in the few hours we were sleeping (how dare we!) and she needed some attention RIGHT NOW. It's very hard to blog and distract a cat at the same time, just in case you're wondering. Fortunately for you, I have learned the great art of typing one handed. I finally got her calmed down and realized...
I HAVE NOTHING TO SAY. Well, that's not entirely true. I've already babbled on about nothing for the last few minutes, so apparently I can talk about just anything. But I've got nothing entertaining or pertinent to say about anything.... Oh wait. I can totally explain the "Bethred the Destroyer" thing.
OK, so here's the thing: When Jared and I started to get serious, his family decided that we needed a nickname. Jared's brother Jacob and his wife Emma have a nickname -- Jemma -- so they needed something for us, as "Beth and Jared" and "Jared and Beth" are too long to say. So we had too choices: Jarbeth, which sounded like some character off of Star Wars, or Bethred. We opted for the later. And then Jared added "the Destroyer" after Bethred, just because it flowed really well. I think he just likes to add "the Destroyer" to names (see our cat's name). With my luck, I'll probably end up with a son named Samuel the Destroyer Swenson. Don't worry. I'll talk him out of it. I hope. But just in case, someone needs to be there when I give birth to make sure Jared fills out the birth certificate right. You never know what condition I'll be in, what with all those drugs and all.
So there we go. My first post on this blog. Woo hoo! I'll try to do something every couple of days, and I apologize if I don't. I'll just blame it on the husband or the cat (who thankfully is now asleep, but that means I can't move as she's asleep on my lap).
I feel if I have to explain something here: Jared loves his computer more than life. It's true. When he gets up in the morning, it's the first thing he goes to, and it's the last thing he's doing before going to bed. I really don't mind too much, but we only have internet on one computer, so you can imagine how hard it is for me to get on it.
So I got to the computer first (the joys of waking up early on Saturdays) and started typing, only to be attacked by our kitten Primal Fury Destroyer of Worlds. Yes, that's her name. Jared named her. Apparently she missed us in the few hours we were sleeping (how dare we!) and she needed some attention RIGHT NOW. It's very hard to blog and distract a cat at the same time, just in case you're wondering. Fortunately for you, I have learned the great art of typing one handed. I finally got her calmed down and realized...
I HAVE NOTHING TO SAY. Well, that's not entirely true. I've already babbled on about nothing for the last few minutes, so apparently I can talk about just anything. But I've got nothing entertaining or pertinent to say about anything.... Oh wait. I can totally explain the "Bethred the Destroyer" thing.
OK, so here's the thing: When Jared and I started to get serious, his family decided that we needed a nickname. Jared's brother Jacob and his wife Emma have a nickname -- Jemma -- so they needed something for us, as "Beth and Jared" and "Jared and Beth" are too long to say. So we had too choices: Jarbeth, which sounded like some character off of Star Wars, or Bethred. We opted for the later. And then Jared added "the Destroyer" after Bethred, just because it flowed really well. I think he just likes to add "the Destroyer" to names (see our cat's name). With my luck, I'll probably end up with a son named Samuel the Destroyer Swenson. Don't worry. I'll talk him out of it. I hope. But just in case, someone needs to be there when I give birth to make sure Jared fills out the birth certificate right. You never know what condition I'll be in, what with all those drugs and all.
So there we go. My first post on this blog. Woo hoo! I'll try to do something every couple of days, and I apologize if I don't. I'll just blame it on the husband or the cat (who thankfully is now asleep, but that means I can't move as she's asleep on my lap).
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