Life is always a journey... here is mine!

Tuesday, October 26, 2010

The LONG overdue post!

Hey everyone. It was not until the other day where I realized how long it really has been since I posted something on here. Im not even sure how many people really read my blog still. Anyways, I thought I would update everyone on what had been going on lately.

Today I got my 12 staples out of my stomach! On October 18th, I had yet another surgery! Yes, I know... it must be a hobby of mine. That makes 4 stomach surgeries in about a year. This time it was for an umbilical hernia. It was due to having so many surgeries, opening up the same scar each time. It was kind of a weird but good way I found out about it. I ended up going to the ER for lung pain, breathing problems, back pain, etc. I was discharged with unknown causes to the pain and was told nothing was wrong with me. It was not until a week later when I saw my regular doc when she went over the CT results and told me I had kidney stones along with a hernia. She was irritated that they week before she called the ER and had me go there and to only be discharged with no answers to the problems.

Along with all of those issues, I have gained about 30 pounds in 5 weeks. I was tested for Cushings disease and that turned out to be negative. However, seeing an Endrocinologist yesterday, he wants to do some more testing on that. So, I will be doing those tests this next week. I also have to see a Pulmanologist this week to go over the nodule I have on my lung. Its about 4mm and is on the left side. I also have to see that doc due to my many lung issues along with possibly having sleep apnea. :) Wonderful eh? Next week I also have doc apt with a GI Specialist along with a Colonoscopy. Just want I have always wanted!!!! :)

I have noticed that anytime I go to the doc, all of mine end in -ist... meaning that its $50 just for me to show up! Crazy huh?! I sure do hate it. I can never go to the doc with a minor cold or the flu. It always is something not usual. haha

Ok enough of the stupid health issues. Since I last posted I have also started working at Clear for a part-time job. I wanted to get something I could use the extra money to pay off my student loans. I have not been able to work there much lately due to being sick but hopefully that will start to pick up again. I was able to travel to Grand Canyon and Victoria, Canada for work. That was so cool to be able to get out and be able to travel again. I also was able to fly in a helicopter for my first ride ever and having it be over the Grand Canyon made it even cooler. :) I posted pictures on Facebook and will on here too. In August my roommate Emily got married and I was able to be apart of the wedding along with being the Photographer. It was so much fun! As for anything else happening, nothing too important has happen. I pretty much work and go see doctors! :) I LOVE MY LIFE.

I want everyone to know how thankful I am for the love and support I continue to have! I would never change what has happen to me. Granted the health problems have sure sucked over the last year but I have learned so much about myself!!! I have been able to prioritize my life to a way that will benefit me in the long run. Life is all about what you make of it. :) I will post some more pics on here soon.

Friday, May 14, 2010

Surgery #3

Since my surgery was March 31st I figured I would just add it to the happenings in April.

On March 31st I hope to have had my final surgery throughout this cancer process I have gone through at the wonderful IMC in Murray, UT. I had a 3 third abdominal surgery... this time for a full hysterectomy. This surgery was a little more complicated given that I still have the blood clot in my brain. I had to stop my blood thinners a week before the surgery in order for my blood to be thick enough. I didn't have too much of a problem, I just a minor headaches.

Im happy to say the surgery was a success!!! I had no major issues with the blood clot. I ended up feeling more pain this time due to me not having an epidural. It was a better choice just because I didnt have to transition over to pain meds once the epidural was removed. The pain sure was intense at times.

One thing I remember clear as day was my recovery nurse!!! She was awful! I remember trying to wake up from surgery and her telling me to stop crying. She said if I didnt she would punish me and take away my pain pump... and she did!!! She wouldnt let my mom come be by my side and made me feel like an idiot for being in pain. I heard her call the nurse I was going to have once I got to my room and tell her I was acting like a teenager and so on!!! When she got off the phone I asked who the nurse was and it was MY FRIEND KAYLEE!!! All I could say was, "Oh thats cute" because I knew once I got to my room I was going to talk to Kaylee about her. When I got to my room and saw my mom, the first words out of my mouth were, "My recovery nurse was a B****!!!" I was in tears and it was mostly because I was in pain but also because of that awful nurse. I was so glad to see Kaylee when she came into my room and I asked her about that nurse and what she said. Kaylee could not even believe what the other nurse told her and all she could think about is how that woman had no idea who I was, what I had been through, or that Kaylee and I were friends. (Pics are with Kaylee)

ANYWAYS.. on to better things!!! I really had the best nurses and treatment again! The first couple of days were rough and I dont remember too much. My mom said they would ask how my pain was and I would tell them Im in pain with the biggest smile. hahaha That was probably because I hate having people see me in pain! :) The one thing I hate about being in hospitals is its always so hard to sleep. No matter what I just could not get a good nights sleep. But come think of it, I never sleep well even weeks after surgery... so maybe its not the hospital.

Here are some pics of my stay!

This is what I had to eat on just 1 day!!! :) So much better then the week I had to do before.

Kristee, Jill, and Melissa came to visit me. :)

My mom and my grandma went on walks with me.

Kaylee brought me these cookies. They were fantastic.

Yay for Grandma Loa!!

Ali Thorderson!! :)

I was finally feeling a little better.

IM OUTTA HERE!!!

I got to leave April 3rd, 2010!!!!!

Flowers from the Palick's!!!

Flowers from Ali!

A foot relexology thing Tina showed me to help with my insides. :)

To end my surgery week off... STUPID SNOW!!!!

March 2010

2 dozen daisies and 1 rose from my Mom!!!

March 2010

March was a good month!!! I started to hang out with my friends more and get out of the house. I also met with a new doctor, Dr. Karen Zempolich. She actually listened to me and decided it was best I do the full abdominal hysterectomy. Even though that is a hard decision, it was also the easiest decision for me. I felt so good about the decision and knew that it was what I needed in order to go on with my life and be healthy. The surgery date was set for March 31st!!!

However before surgery, I just wanted to have fun. Not to mention is was MY BIRTHDAY TOO!!!!!

Here are some pictures...

Whitney and I at a party after the WSU Women's final home game! :)

Sarah Conor, Megan Patterson, and I after their game.

Its amazing to see how fast my hair has grown in just 1 month!!!

I went down to Monroe, UT to visit Jen and while I was there I visited my great-grandparents grave. Its amazing to drive around Monroe and know that my family settled a lot of that town.

Zoey will soon be quite the photographer since she loves to take my camera!

I went to the Jazz game with my uncle!!! It is my favorite thing to do with him! :) (I LOVE RAY ALLEN!!)

Pretty much the Jazz Bear got us!!!

This was the start of my 25th birthday morning!!! :)

THANKS MELISSA AND JILL!!!!

Grandma and Uncle Gary took me to El Matador in Ogden and then we came back for my favorite cake.

German Chocolate Cake from Parsons Bakery in Bountiful, Utah!

Emily's parents wanted to take me to Wendover, NV for my birthday!!! So Emily, Richard and I went and had a great couple hours. The best was this old lady that sat right next to Richard and one spin on the slot and she won about $20! Richard... nothing! :)