Recovery

Yesterday was the big day. I woke up at 5:05am. This is the usual time I get up for work. However, I wasn't going to work that day. I was going to surgery. I have to admit, I didn't sleep well due to the thoughts running through my head about surgery. I deal with this stuff everyday as a nurse. I know that gallbladder surgery isn't a big deal, but being the patient and knowing I had to deal with scared the crap out of me. I knew the procedure, I seen hundred of gallbladder surgeries when I worked in surgery at Deaconess. So, I know what goes on. Still, I hate being the patient.
Anyway, grandma came to pick Lily up at 6am. I gave her millions of kisses before she left. (I have been through surgery before, let me just tell you, this is the first surgery I have since Lily's birth and it scared me more thinking that something could go wrong and I wouldn't get to see my baby girl again. Little dramatic, but still, you never know!!!). Anyway, John took me to the hospital, I got checked in. My surgery was scheduled at 9am. I was in Same Day Surgery til 9:30am. Didn't know what the hold up was, but I was getting more and more nervous. Finally, they came to pick me up to take me to holding. I was placed beside this 90 year lady who was getting her eyes done. I didn't know the exact procedure, but she kept me entertained while I waited. Dr. Kurucz (Marcus is what we call him though) came to visit with me. He said that the water to the hospital got shut off that morning and they couldn't sterilized the scopes they needed for my surgery. So, that is why there was a delay on my surgery. The scopes were being sterilized. He also told me that he went through the ICU department and Vanessa and Ronica harassed him about taking good care of me. He told them that he was going to mess with me and put a colostomy bag and a big dressing on my abdomen to make me think he had to do this extensive surgery. He is so funny! (Thanks Vanessa and Ronica for checking up on me). My nurse came to introduce herself and then the anaesthesia came to talk to me. Marcus told me before he left that he was going to go do a colonscopy real quick while the room was getting ready. So, I waited in holding for about an hour. Finally, the nurse came out and said they were ready for me. I got some "happy juice" before I even got to the room and that is all I can remember. I didn't even get to see the room, I was out. I woke up at 11:45 in PACU. I was sleepy and sore but pretty much alright. I had three nurse taking care of me. (Marcus ratted me out and told everyone that I was an ICU nurse, so they were trying their hardest to take extra care of me) My PACU nurse said that I was the best patient she has had in a long time. I woke up fast and I didn't complain of that much pain. My vitals were great. The only issue I had, which was completely normal, my throat was sore and dry from being without food and water for 16 hrs and having the endotracheal tube for breathing during surgery. I kept coughing, which was not helping the pain situation. Oh! Let's not forget, I was checking my stomach for any unnecessary dressings Marcus may have placed. He didn't do anything like he said he would! I'll have to give him a hard time at my follow up appointment. Anyway, I was out of PACU by noon.
I went back to Same Day Surgery. John was waiting on me when I got there. It was so good to see him. He told me that Marcus came to talk to him. Marcus said that the surgery went great. He went ahead and fixed a hernia that I had. However, he said that I would probably need to get it done again later. He just sutured the hernia down, but later I will need mesh. He couldn't do it now with the risk of infection. I was surprised I had a hernia, but then again, all I do is lift on people. I have noticed a difference where he fixed it though. Well, the nurse came in and gave me a pain pill and told me that I had to walk and use the bathroom before I could go home. Then, she left. I waited for about 30 minutes before she came back in. I immediately told her I wanted to get up and use the bathroom. She was really surprised! I walked down the hall (with my big butt sticking out) and went to the bathroom. I don't know if that hernia was pushing on my bladder or what, but my bladder felt completely different....in a good way! After giving birth, my bladder wasn't the same, but now it's back to normal...too weird.
I was discharged home around 1pm. I was so happy to get home and to relax. We went to CVS to get my pain medication and to McDonald's to get me a sweet tea and John some lunch. I came home and immediately changed clothes and made a spot on the couch. I took about a two hour nap. I felt a little better, but not much. Lily came home not too much later. I was SO SO SO happy to see her. I can't lift her, but I gave her a million more kisses. Marcus said that Lily is the only thing I can lift for two weeks, but for the next couple of days I'm not going to hold her. Especially since I had a hernia along with this.
Last night was a very long and uncomfortable night. I couldn't lay flat because of the gas that they used during surgery it would come up to my shoulders and I felt I couldn't breathe. John brought extra pillows in to lift my head up. I tried that for a couple of hours but it didn't help. About 1 am, John got me up and I laid on the couch. That didn't help either, so 3:30 am John helped me up and I went back to bed. I slept for 4 hrs before Lily woke up. John got up with Lily while I stayed in bed, but I couldn't go back to sleep. Today, I have been really really sore. Not as bad as yesterday, but still sore. I am hoping in the next couple of days I will be back on my feet!
I just wanted to say Thank you for all the well wishes. I really appreciate it. I really appreciate my co-workers who are checking up on me...you guys are the best!

Updates

Lillian started getting sick last Wednesday (2/10), she started out with a runny nose, cough, and slight temp. As the days went on, her runny nose and cough kept getting worse. She wasn't running a temp or anything. At times, she was getting a little wheezy. I watched her all weekend and finally on Tuesday, I called the doctor to see if I could get her in to get tested for RSV. That has been going around like crazy. Lily would wake up in the middle of the night crying. She wasn't hungry or wet. She just couldn't breathe. Plus, with grandma just getting over a cold, I thought she could have it. The nurse thought it would be a good idea to bring her in. So, John left work early and took Lily to the doctor. To my surprise, Lily has an ear infection. I wasn't really expecting that, which I would take that any day over RSV!! So, Lillian got started on some antibiotics. She still has her cough and runny nose. So we will see how this plays out.


Lillian passed out....she didn't feel good




Kisses for mommy!


Of course you all know that Sunday was Valentine's Day. It was really special this year because Lillian was here to celebrate with us. Sunday, we had planned to go to Evansville as a family and go out to eat. However, with Lillian being sick, our plans got changed. Lily stayed with grandma while John and I ran to Evansville to eat at Red Lobster. It was really good. Then, we came home. It was a short visit, but I really wanted to see my baby girl. When we got home, we had her gift waiting on her. She really enjoyed it. I think she liked the bag it came in more than the actual present. Oh! I can't forget....John treated me like a queen! I got flowers, candy, Bath & Body works lotion, and a DS game. I loved all my gifts!! I got John a massage to True Day Spa in Jasper. He is always complaining about his back and shoulders, so what a good way to relieve the pain. Plus, I don't have enough hand strength to give him one myself. Lily got her Daddy some candy. He loved it!




Lillian got some new clothes, pjs, and a book. I think next year I will just give her a bag...haha!

Our family pic for Valentine's Day!

After giving our gifts to Lily, we just sat around and played. As soon as John turned on the Olympics to figure skating, Lily was memorized! She kept looking at the TV! It was so cute!

In other news, I am having my gallbladder taken out on Monday. I am nervous and excited at the same time. I just want to live a normal life. I carry around zofran all the time in case I get hit with some nausea. Not fun. John is taking off Monday-Thursday to be with me. I told Marcus (my surgeon) that if I had to be admitted, then I wanted to go to ICU to have my co-workers care for me. He said, "if you end up in the ICU, then I really screwed up." Geez...thanks Marcus!!! No, he is a good surgeon. He likes to joke around. We really enjoy getting his patients. So, Monday at 9am, I will be in surgery. Wish me luck!!!

My friend Heather is moving back to Evansville this weekend! I am so so excited for her to be moving back! She moved about 2 years ago to Chicago, I haven't seen her since then. So, her moving back is so exciting to me. She hasn't met Lillian, so I am excited to see her!!

I finally have Lillian's first birthday party planned! I picked out her theme yesterday. It is so cute!! I am very excited about her birthday. I know this means she won't be a baby any more, but I am still excited for her. I can't wait to see her eat her cake and see all her family. She won't remember this party, but I sure will!

Oh!!! Yesterday, I get a bill in the mail from Jasper Pediatrics for $405. I was shocked to say the least. I looked at the bill (from Sept/Nov 2009) and insurance didn't cover a penny. Lily is covered under both John and my insurance. So, she is double insured. Needless to say, I was pissed!!! I was hot last night. I had the bill, the insurance cards, and the phone in my hand to yell at someone. Well, of course, it was 8:30 at night, nobody was going to be there. I was hot....did I mention that? John was doing his best to calm me down. I don't think John has ever seen me this upset. I mean seriously, I have a lot to do during my day (just like most ppl) and having to deal with this on top of everything else....come on!!! So today, John called both insurance companies to straighten this mess out. John didn't want me to call....1) he didn't want me to stroke out 2) he didn't want our insurance cancelled from me screaming at them 3) he didn't want me to make a fool out of myself. So, it all worked out in the end. They will be picking up the bill.

Well, I better go. Wish me luck on Monday!!

It's a boy!

Well, we just found out yesterday that John and I are going to have another nephew in July! My sister Carrie is having another boy! Her c-section is scheduled for July 9, 2010, that is if she doesn't go into labor before then. I am very excited for her. However, I just knew she would have another boy! I hope Dillon is ready for a little brother!

In other news, Lily is now sick :( She got her cold from grandma. I'm a little upset with the situation because grandma was sick for a week before she bothered to tell us she wasn't feeling good. I don't see grandma, John drops her off and picks her up, so I had no idea she was sick. The whole time she was watching Lily. I about had a fit when I found out. Seriously, if you don't feel good....say something! Don't feel like you have to watch my daughter and get her sick in the process. I'm so upset because I work in the hospital.....I know what is going around. The peds unit has been packed with RSV and flu. I don't want that for my daughter. Poor Lily has been sneezing and coughing like crazy. She doesn't sleep very good because she can't breathe out of her sweet little nose. I feel so bad for her. I would be more than happy to have this than her. Poor baby!

Congratulations to Ryan and Chelsa Knepp on the arrival of baby Corbin! He is a doll! I can't wait to meet him! Glad everyone is well! Keep us updated!

Happy 9 Months Lillian!

I can't believe my baby girl turned 9 months yesterday. Wow! That is really crazy to me. I really enjoy seeing her learn new things. She is just so much fun at this stage! Everyday is something new!! I love you Lillian! Mommy and daddy are so proud of you!












Pretty Girl!












Mommy stop singing...you aren't that good!




















Look Mommy...I can do it by myself

Now if I can only get that remote


Let's see.....last Friday, Lillian came home from grandma's. She learned a new trick....Lillian knows how to clap now. She did it all day long on Friday. Yesterday, I was off and she was still clapping!! Maybe this is a sign that she is going to be a cheerleader like her mommy was!!!! Lillian is trying to stand. If she holds on to something, she can stand for a few minutes. Yesterday, she even took a step by herself holding on to the couch. I'm so not ready for her to walk!!! Lily loves cords......the lamp cord and the radio cord....yeah, she is all over them. I have to watch her more closely now. She wants to pull at them and of course...put them in her mouth. I can't keep up with her sometimes!!

My hubby and I

Lillian's first Valentine's from Nana

She LOVED it!!

Ok, so I know I shouldn't be like this, but I have to get on my soap box. We have these neighbors that live right next to us. They don't have a whole lot of yard, so their kids have asked us if they could play in our yard a couple of times. Honestly, I don't care if they play in our yard. Last month, they knocked on our door and asked if they could go sledding down the hill in our back yard. That's fine, we just told them to be careful. Again, I don't care if they play in our yard....what gets me is that they leave all their toys in our yard. I'm a little OCD....I can't handle their stuff in our yard 24/7. We have balls, bikes, and a sled in our yard that isn't ours. This is winter too. Can you imagine how summer is going to be? John and I take a lot of pride in our home and yard. We really try hard to keep everything looking nice. They don't care...they have crap all over their yard, front porch, and now our yard. I don't think that is very respectful. I would NEVER let Lillian do that to our home, let alone someone else's. I don't think that is a whole lot to ask for...you play in our yard, you pick up your toys. Am I wrong?

I hope everyone is enjoying the snow day! It looks so pretty outside, I just don't want to go outside to see it. Again, I'm not feeling that well. I can't wait to get my gallbladder out. I have lost a lot of time and money from work and I can't afford to keep this up. I know I will be out another 2 weeks after my surgery....that is a real bummer. I was hopefully for a week. I can't wait to go see the surgeon and get this planned out! John is planning on taking the day off and go with me to my appointment. I was really surprised because he never goes to doctor appointments with me. Even when I was pregnant, he went to 2-3 appointments at the most. So, I was really suprised when he said that he wanted to go with me.

Lily Pie

Lily in her new outfit that Aunt Jen and Uncle Aaron got her for Christmas.

Playing in her Pack N Play....she looks like a caged animal. She didn't like it too well.

This is usually what my house looks like at the end of the day!

FINALLY.....I got some answers!

Today, I went for my gallbladder ultrasound. I wasn't really expecting anything. Everything that I heard was that the ultrasound isn't a good test. I had numerous people ask me why the doctor didn't order a HIDA scan first. I had to explain the cheaper/less invasive procedures first. Well, anyway, I was laying on the table uncomfortable with all the pressure from the ultrasound probe on my stomach. I wasn't moving or saying anything. Whatever I needed to do to get the test done right!!! After 15 minutes, she was done. I asked her if she saw anything. She looked at me and said,"Well, I'm not allowed to discuss results with anyone." I said, "that's fine, I completely understand. I just wanted to know if anything showed up. I have been going crazy about this for a month now." She said,"Unofficially, you have a gallstone. There is something there." So, I immediately felt relieved for many reasons....1) I'm not crazy. There is actually something wrong with me 2) Now I know what is causing my pain and nausea/vomiting. 3) I don't have to go through any more tests! Well, the rad tech said that the radiologist would read the test today and then pass it along to my family doc. She would then call me either Thursday or Friday with the results.

Well, today around 3, the doctor's office called me to confirm that I have gallstones. Dr. Burgeson wanted to refer me to a surgeon. They asked me if I had a preference (uh, yeah). So, I'm going to see Dr. Kurucz on Feb 17th at 3pm. So, hopefully, I will find out more then.

In other news, Lily had a massive blow out today. Yes, it's news to me because she hasn't done this but twice in her whole lifetime. Needless to say, Lily got a bath and our sheets on our bed got wash. I don't know how it came out of that diaper, but it did.

Well, I'm starting to plan Lillian's first birthday party. I have no idea about the theme of the party yet. I have some ideas in mind. I just can't believe that I'm already starting to think about this. Next week, Lillian will be 9 months. I can't believe it!

Next week, I should be finding out if I am going to have a new niece or new nephew. That is if my sister can decide if she is going to find out or not. One minute she wants to go and then the next she wants to be surprised. I can't keep up with her.

Oh!! Saturday, John and I had a scare. See, we were getting ready to go out with Jen and Aaron. I was in the bathroom fixing my makeup and John was in the bedroom with Lillian. He was changing clothes. All of a sudden, I heard this thump and Lillian screaming. I went running and John was holding Lillian freaking out. I immediately knew what happened. John put Lily on the bed while he was changing clothes. When he turned his head to get a shirt, Lily fell off the bed. I knew this day would come, but I didn't think it would be this soon. John was crying and holding Lily so tight I couldn't see her. John kept saying, "is she alright?" He would not let me touch her. Finally, I had to scream at him just to look at her. The nurse in me came out.....Of course I started looking for any broken bones, bruises, redness, etc. Then, I started doing a neuro check. Lily seem to be fine, just scared. John was so freaked out!!!! He bugged me all night long about her. He almost had me worked up. I kept telling him I would page the dr. on call or we could go to the hospital and get a CT of her head. He kept saying, "is she alright?" Lily ended up sleeping in our room that night. She is absolutely fine. John would not make a good nurse....he gets too worked up. That boy needs some xanax sometimes!

The other day, we finally had to take the mobile off of Lillian's bed. She was trying to pull herself up with it. So, we had to say goodbye to it. Her bed looks so weird without it. It really made me sad to take it off. I used to go in her room before she was born and just play her mobile and imagine a baby in the bed. Now look at her. Wow! I can't believe how big she is!

I also want to say one last thing......Chelsa, I think you are the strongest person I know! You have been through so much this past year. What would usually bring someone down into depression, you find the strength to keep going and to praise GOD for all your blessings. I look up to you. I read your blogs about Andon and every time I cry. I cry for you, your family, and for Andon. I know one day you will see him again! Happy Birthday Andon!!! I will be praying for you and Corbin....healthy baby & mommy and easy delivery!