My night at the ER...

again.

So - I was so busy in early Feb. that I didn't get around to posting about my poor BJ's trip to the ER. So, lets go relive that day, then I'll tell you about last night. Don't worry - it'll all make sense in a bit.

After fussing about a sore tummy for a day or two, BJ complains that he doesn't feel up for going to school. His pain is too bad to concentrate and has been growing worse. He doesn't feel like eating breakfast. Isn't really nauseous, it just hurts really bad. I ask the general questions: When did you poop last? this morning? ok - solid, watery? details boy! "That's gross mom!". Well, I know - but still - you have to ask. I have him lay out on the floor and point out the pain...it's all over, but if he had to pick a spot it would be lower right. *sigh* So, I call the doc's office to make an appointment. They ask why. I say so. Turns out they won't give out appointments for that, you have to go right to the ER. (I'm less than a week out of my thyroid surgery mind you at this point (and still look like Frankenstein) and don't really WANT to go to the ER). I hang up with the appointment center. I call right back and hope for a different operator. (yes, I'm sneaky like that) I tell them he has tummy pain (rather than the more scary "abdominal pain"). Turns out they don't have any appointments for about a week anyway. Long story short, pain gets worse, we go to the ER. They immediately guess appendicitis, have to get a blood draw so they just do an IV in prep for surgery so they don't have to stick him twice. They also want a ultrasound. Again, long story short, the blood work came back fine. No elevated white blood count, which means no infection. Ok, weird. The ultrasound also came back "fine" (although the tech and the radiologist straight out said they weren't sure they FOUND the appendix (which is normal, as it is small and hard to find if it is not inflamed) but the doc cam back and said they had a fine view and it looked great.) (dumb head!) So, they sent us home. Gave BJ some meds for tummy spasms and called it good. I was still unsure of things, but figured I'd watch him and see how he did. The pain ended up improving little by little over about a week and a half or so, and we haven't had any problems since.

I actually have pictures - ready to post! - of that lovely event. Isn't he just SO cute?? (how in the heck do I get them to post side by side??? ARGGGGHHHHH! SOMEONE has GOT to SHOW me how to do the picture thing.)





So, fast forward to the present. Last night. After dinner. BJ is upset about tummy pain. Pretty bad. I ask if he ate too much. I asked the general pooping questions. Told him to let me know if it got worse. Bed time comes - it's worse. He doesn't feel good. I suggest going to bed, taking some deep breaths and going to sleep, come and get me if it gets worse, or if he gets nauseous or any of that good stuff. Long story short (which it looks like I'm not all that good at...) he's up a few times and is crying and nauseous, wanting to go the ER - even knowing what they will do to him when we get there. Poor baby!

Again, another long story short, they are baffled. They don't think it's appendicitis - the blood count is fine, the pee test is fine. The pain reliever they put in his IV helped him out (he slept most of the time we were in the hospital). They say it didn't make him sleepy, but everything I find online about med suggests that drowsiness is a side effect. (have I mentioned how much I love doctors?) The ER doc doesn't feel that what we are dealing with is a emergent situation, doesn't want to put him through all the testing tonight (CT scan, ultrasound etc) but wants us to follow up in the morning with our regular doc. Apparently they hold out next day appointments for the ER patients, and they'll call me with an appointment time. As I write this, it is 10 am and I haven't heard a peep from them yet. I've tried calling them once, only to get the "we're busy" message. I will try again in a few minutes.

A side note, and the one that actually has me concerned - my brother had what they call "chronic appendicitis" where you have appendicitis symptoms, although not quite as severe, that pass after a few days to a week, and then come back randomly. I have mentioned this to the (oh so wise) doctors, but of course, they know better. It does make me more likely to PRESS for the CT scan at the regular doc visit.

Oh the joy!

Happy (late) Easter!

Yup, I'm still alive. =) There really hasn't been a whole lot new to add to the story of my life lately. Some stuff, but not much. Some whining, but that's no fun. I'm kinda tired of having to be stuck in the house all the time, but kinda enjoying at the same time. No errands to run, no where to have to run off to - no reason to really have to get dressed....It's got it's plusses and minuses...

I miss time with my kids. You dont' realize how much you touch them, walk by them, hug them, kiss them, and just generally BE around them - untill you CAN'T do it anymore... A hug or two isn't enough. I'm just grateful I'm allowed to be downstairs wtih them, and not just shut up in my room where I can't even see them.

Easter was good. I really missed going to church. That was hard. Especially hearing about how good it was. Even Gabe came home talking about being able to feel the Spirit in Sacrament meeting...enough so that it made me cry. I am so grateful that he has that sensitive spirit and is learning and recognizing what those feelings are, and what they mean. Especially now that we are heading in to the life of being a teenager...

Mom cooked ham and made potato salad for dinner. That was nice. It was hard, because I wasn't allowed to help at all. No touching food for others, ya know... It feels like it's gone on forever, but really it's only been a few days! Really, we're half way through it though, so *shrug*...

We also did our tradition of watching the Easter video "He is Risen" from the animated bible. We do it every year, before the kids are really allowed to dig into the Easter baskets full of chocolate and other candies. I try to make them remember what Easter REALLY is first. After church, and lunch, and candies, we had movie time.

As for me, I'm feeling a little better I guess. Depending on the day still. I'm SITTING on the couch vs LYING on the couch more, so I guess that means I have more energy...LOL I'm looking forward to MOVING more as I start to have more energy. Between the not moving and the effects of being hypo I've gained almost 10 pounds... =( It's the first time I've gained more than the general couple pounds that come and go, usually around "that time of the month". I'm trying not to be depressed about it, and convince myself that as soon as I'm allowed to/have energy to that I'll be back at basketball and such again, and it will just melt away. *fingers crossed*

As usual - I have pictures - they're just on the camera card and I'll get to them when I get to them...LOL

I am SO spoiled!

I don't think I could ever be happier. Just out of a hot shower (without having to do my hair or get dressed up or anything) and having a helping of hot tortilla soup. Yum skiddley umshious!

Rewind to this morning. I get to the hospital, right on schedule (8 am). Within a few minutes I'm called back to my favorite room. They inform me that I have to have a pregnancy test before the dose can be administered. Yes, even though I'm not...well, ya know, active in that area of my life, and yes, even though my period started only 2 days ago. So, I get poked and my blood gets sent down to the lab. It'll be at least 30 minutes for the results. Why didn't these people think to do this yesterday to speed up today?? Ugh. Guess what the test results said??? I'm not pregnant! Surprise!

After that, I had another "patient counseling" session with the radiation safety officer guys. We went over all the same stuff as before, with a few things added. Once I go home, I have to shower 3 times and change into new clothing each time over the course of the day. In the morning I'm to shower and put on clean clothes again, along with washing the bedding and towels. After that, I'm back to normal routine for the week - but should change the towels and the bedding again at the end of the week. Not too bad.

So - come time for the dose, I'm off to my favorite room again. Same routine as Monday - this time with about 1 tsp of RAI to drink up, along with a few tablespoons of distilled water. For reference sake I was given 109 millicuries of RAI today. I asked for curiosity sake how much I got on Monday - she said it was like .0002 or something like that. TONS less. hehe. It was much the same as Monday's drink - through the straw, don't spill - yada yada. After I'm done with the concoction they wand me to get a reading on how much radiation I'm spilling out, then ask me if I had any other questions. I say nope. They say, "Ok, then all we ask is that you leave!" =) And I was instructed to get in my car and go straight home.

So far I've eaten: pita chips, a personal pan pizza hut pizza, a half of a enchilada (YUM Marci!), a couple of oatmeal chocolate chip cookies (YUM Tif!), a chocolate truffle, and tortilla soup (YUM Heidi!). Where would I be without my wonderful friends?? You guys are the best!

Other than that - do you know how SHORT 15 minutes is? I'm tired of sour candies! All day today and tomorrow - and every couple hours in the night. ICK!

And - on a funny note. Here is a picture of the shirt I designed and made. The NucMed department got a kick out of it. =)

Too tired for much..

but there is lots to tell.

Yesterday, day 2. I got to the hospital, right at 8 like I'm supposed to check in, and with in a few minutes the same guy that helped me drink the 2 drops of RAI came up to talk to me. It turns out that my dose for the day missed it's plane, is on another plane and a FedEx truck, which should be to the hospital between 9 and 10. They'd still like to work with me, so if I could wait that'd be good. They apologized over and over. I kinda found it funny, but really wished that I had known earlier so that I could have slept in past 6:30 and not waited around in the silly hospital for hours...

While we waited we got to talk to the "radiation safety officer" about the actual ablation treatment. It turns out that as long as things went as expected with the pictures that I wouldn't have to stay in the hospital, and can just come home! I don't even have to be a prisoner up in my room - I can be in the living room! I just have to stay a minimum of an arms length away from everyone. He explained was kind of like when you have the flu, or a really bad cold - you keep every one away from you because you are contagious. Same kind of thing, more or less. We can hang out and watch movies - we just can't cuddle while we do it.

I can't let anyone use my bathroom for a week. I have to flush the toilet 2-3 times every time I pee/poop. I should shower 2-3 times a day for the first few days. I should suck on sour candies every 15 min. during the day - and multiple time during the night. I should drink water as if I was trying to become a lake - and pee as if I wasn't. I can't share my eating utensils or cup with anyone, and should rinse my dishes right after use. I'll wear gloves to use the computer. I'll launder my clothes and my linens separately from everyone else. (Can't think of anything else)

Once 10:00 came, things moved fast - I got taken back to the same room as before but this time I got to swallow 10 capsules rather than liquid stuff. No biggie really. Then I was excused to go home.

Today: we got there at 8 and I was whisked away for pictures about 10 min later. It was kinda like having an MRI or CT scan - just lay on a moving bed and let the machine do the work. The results showed that the tumor was located only in my thyroid bed (YAY) and everything else looked good. It killed my back to lay there that long - 30 min for the first set, 15 for the second. Then a 15 min break while they decided if they needed any more shots. They did - so add another 30 min set.

So - tomorrow's the day. The good news? 2 hours after I drink the RAI I can eat ANYTHING I want!!!!! WA HOOOOOO! I'm looking forward to: pita chips, Doritos, PIZZA, bread sticks, DIET COKE, tortilla soup (love ya Heidi!), oatmeal choc. chip cookies (love ya Tif!), CHOCOLATE...just about anything!! Although I think that (even though I loved them) garlic potatoes, garlic chicken, applesauce bars and spaghetti are out for a while. =)

I've reached the valley in between the mountains - now begins the climb up the next one!

The Nuclear Medicine Department, Day 1

So - the hour drive went well - no traffic, well, not much anyway. Mom and I got there right on time. Not having any clue what we were in for we went prepared. We had a bag of food - (especially since I couldn't eat before leaving the house until after an hour after whatever it is they had planned for me) as well as some puzzle books and things to do.

So, we check in. We get called back into this room - the arms of the chair are covered, the table in front of the chair is covered. It's not a STERILE room, but they're careful in here. So, I sit. I get to drink this liquid - I'm concerned, since I can't drink much and my taste buds are pretty picky...and you can't throw up nuclear stuff without everyone freaking out. So - I'm a tad nervous. Then they show me the vial of liquid. It's a test tube type bottle, (like when they do a blood test) and it's in a little cup covered in gauze. I ask to see the actual liquid. I am amazed by the amount... If I'd spilled it on the table (besides freaking people out) it would have made a puddle about the size of...my thumbnail. Seriously - it was like 2 DROPS of liquid. The guy put a straw in the tube and told me to start drinking and that as I did he would add a little distilled water to make sure that I got it all. It didn't really taste like anything. WHEW.

That was it. Then I was excused and was to be back in 6 hours for an uptake. What ever that meant. So - mom and I went driving around. We found a goodwill, and found pillowcases for a craft (that we'd looked at both thrift stores in town for and couldn't' find). We went to JoAnn's and found some fun beads for a project. We found a movie theater and went to see Horton. I almost took $7 nap...but managed to stay awake. It was a cute movie, but not one I'd buy (till it's like $5 at Walmart). By then, it was time to be back at the NucMed department. They took me back to another room with machines in it this time. I sat and faced this large round opening, pointed at my neck. It was a scan of sorts to see how much radiation I was emitting. They did it to my leg too. I guess to see the difference, since my neck has the thyroid tissue that would soak up the I 131 (the type of radioactive iodine) more than my leg would. Then I was excused to go home. I'd had "weak leg" moments in the stores, and had mom drive. I napped on the way home, and then hit the couch upon getting home too. And, I've been here ever since. =)

Yup! Still alive!

So, it's been a couple days agian, and I figured I'd just pop in and let you all know I'm still alive (and still truckin!). Haven't been up to too much, but I have had better days than Sunday was. Really, on Sunday, when it was SO bad...I thought I was done for. I was NOT looking forward to the rest of my "hypo-hell". Yesterday and today - not quite as bad.

I worried when my day started before 6...Lucy calls from her room "MOOMMMMM". Typically she just comes in. She was awake and wanted to sleep with me. I have mixed feelings on that anyway, but because she doesn't SLEEP when she's in my bed, and IF she did sleep, she'd be ALL over me, I tend to say no all the time anyway. Got her all tucked back in, got ME all tucked back in. Eyes closed...drifting off... "MOOMMMMMM" grrrrrr. This time I just yell back "WHAT????". "Mom...I think I'm gonna throw up..." I didn't crawl, I jumped and ran. As much as I didn't want to get out of bed, I really didn't want to clean up sheets/pillows/floors/pj's. Turs out, she did puke. And got to "sleep" in my bed. No, we didn't make it back to sleep before the alarm went off, signalling the start of "wake up for scripture time". At least my little home on the couch was already ready, and I was already prepared to spend time there anyway. Lucy just cuddled up on top of me after we got the boys off to school. I don't think she napped, but she was quiet enough for me to while watching tv. By mid-afternoon she was all better. Eating, running, dancing, singing - just normal lil ol Lucy. Weird. Sad part - she retched so hard it broke blood vessels in her chin/neck. Poor baby! (I should take a picture and insert it here...but, since that's a theme with me - use your imaginations!)

today's wonderful update

So, we've gone from "still truckin" to "riding on the truck". I think, at least at moments, we've moved into being dragged behind the truck...

Yesterday was a difficult day. There was NO energy - although I did manage to get a few things done. Today, kinda the same. Although all of my "getting stuff done" happened before church. I managed to get a roast (and vegies) in the crock pot (I'm starving, and desperate for FOOD) as well as get all of us ready for church, on top of a few RS things. And I actually MADE it to church. But man oh man, once I was there...I really could have laid down in one of the pews. People in Sunday School thought I was sleeping...I wasn't, although I would have liked to have been. I was too tired (physically, not sleepily) to keep my eyes open, or my head up at times.

So far I've dealt with (and this is more for records sake than complaining sake) bloating, constipation (and the opposite, due to the fruit), fatigue, weakness, nausea, muscle issues (cramps, pain and twitching) - and of course I'm freezing to death (which is normal for me, only possibly worse because of "hypo-hell"). I've also gained a little bit of weight. Oh joy. (who knows if that's from being a lazy butt, or from the hypo stuff). Also - the "brain fog" (holy heck am I grateful for spell check, or I'd sound like the biggest goober in history!) There are times where I'm better than others, it seems to kinda go in waves... Sometimes I'm just tired and feel fine, sometimes it all feels kinda foggy - like I'm on vicodin or something. Everything slower moving. Like today, in RS: a sign up sheet went around for people to sign up for bringing my family dinners this week. One of the people that signed up came up to ask me how to get to my house. And I couldn't tell her. I couldn't make sense of my thoughts, or my words...

All of this is extremely frustrating. I'd guess it's, at least partly, the cause of my emotional upsets. I've been way to hard on my kids, which adds to things as well. I hate that they are going through this right along with me. I wish that there were some way to function perfectly normal when they are around and completely crash when they are not. They are being quite good about helping me out, but my patience level and my ability to deal with the little things has seemed to go right out the window. I've told them sorry a million times, but I know it doesn't make up for it.

I can't believe it's only been a week...

I also can't believe I sit down to write a short blurb and talk forever. Bah.

Did a train come through here?

Did it hit me? Cause I feel kinda like it might have.

Ya know how you feel when you're sick, like a train or a truck or whatever has plowed into you? I kinda feel like that, with out the feeling sick part. It's not THAT bad yet, but I'm guessing it's a preview of things to come. I expected as much, but I'm still hoping it doesn't get any worse. One can dream, right?

I've got a easy day planned for tomorrow. Gabe spent tonight at a friends house, and he's my early riser so I should be able to sleep in. Lucy is usually up early too - but we're still up watching our family movie (it's 9:30) so I'm hoping she sleeps in, at least a little bit. BJ - he'll sleep in for sure! So, my chances are good. =) I'm hoping I feel up to taking them to a movie in the afternoon - National Treasure 2 is playing at the the free military base theater. It gets us up and out of the house, breaks up the day, and is enjoyable all at the same time.

So - day 5 down. Still truckin (even if I'm ridin' on it! LOL)

Still Truckin!

So, I'm still feeling pretty normal. A little bit of brain foggy moments, especially when I'm multi tasking (ie: presidency meeting where I'm taking notes, while listening and thinking and possibly talking all at the same time). It makes me make mistakes, like writing 2:00 sunday sunday. Not horrible, but can be frusterating after the millionth time.

Other than that, I'm doing pretty good. Eating is getting a bit easier - I made a YUMMY soup last night for dinner - cabbage soup. It's my mother in law's recipie. I had thought that the kids would put up a "ewww I don't like soup" fight, but the boys really enjoyed it. Lucy, (who doesn't eat anything willingly unless it is snacks, fruit, salad, hot dogs or pizza) put up that fight, as expected, but I was pleasantly surprised by the boys. Gabe even had seconds! Now that I know they like it so much, I'll make it more often. It's a very healthy, and fairly easy to make meal! YAY! So, I made a huge pot of it and have left overs. Also, Laura made me a "breakfast cake" that reminds me of a cinnamon roll (which I love). It's kinda like a cake with the inside cinnamon roll goo all over the top. I had a few helpings this morning. Thanks Laura!! I also discovered Orange Juice this morning. While the sugar factor is involved a little, it sure tasted good!!

I'm slightly more tired than usual - but whose to say if that is cause I didn't sleep normal, or if it is hypo stuff starting up? Eh. I'll just go nap a bit before the boys get home from school and the dinner rush and bball game stuff starts up!

Day One

Well - I survived the first day of the LID!!! *cheer, dance, sing*

We started off the day as normal - scriptures and getting ready for school. Then I headed for basketball!! YEA! I got to play this morning for the first tmie in a long time. It was great to see the gals (Heidi, I missed you!) and great to be on the court again. Sure, it kicked my butt - but it was SO good! I'm hoping that on Friday (the next bball day) I'll be feeling up to playing. I can hope, right?

After bball I took Molly to get her hair fixed. Over the weekend her inlaws convinced her to finally cut it off! It looked great - except for a few uneven parts. So I took her over to my friend Lynda's who does hair. While we were there, I bit the bullet and had Lucy's hair cut too!!! It'll make doing her hair SO SO SO much easier - and BOY is she CUTE!!! Of course I got pictures, but as is the story of my camera, I am just too lazy to go through the trouble of putting them on the computer at this exact moment. I don't know how you guys do it... What a pain.

Then I hit up Costco - figured I better do it before I don't feel up to it. We also hit the commisary on the way home tocheck for a few other groceries I might be able to eat. It's very frusterating though to walk through the store...We'd find something and get excited - "Oh look, I can have this!!!! Oh wait - it has salt (or soy, or milk, or some other off limit thing). It happened SO many times I just wanted to leave the store. I was slightly frusterated because I was hungry, having had only an apple and some cantalope - and having a grumpy tummy from the "too much fruit" factor. Also, I have to be careful - because of having the gastric bypass surgeryI can't process too much sugar at any one period.

As to the diet - I had an apple, and a few pieces of a not so good orange, some cantalope and some pineapple (Yummy!!). I found some granola at the store that I like. I found Matzo crackers that taste like cardboard, but aren't THAT bad after putting my special (not really that great either) peanut butter on it. I bought plain rice cakes (that I don't really expect to be good either, but worth a shot). Molly made me some garlic chicken tonight, and some garlic roasted potatoes. YUM!! Totally hit the spot, although most likely anything but fruit would have! I also threw some ingredients in the bread maker and am hoping for a decent loaf of bread...but we'll see.

So - I suppose that was a long way of saying - Hurray! I survived!!

Thanks for all your support guys! I love ya!

I loved being at church today

What a great set of meetings. I missed my kids terribly (they were with their dad at Ocean Shores, visiting his dad) but being there, and feeling the spirit of the meeting was so (SO) wonderful. And muchly needed. I was able to take away lot. And all with the theme I've been striving to remember this last week. The blessings in my life have not gone away - they are still here, and still very real.

In sacrament meeting we sang "Count Your Many Blessings". This hymn always makes me cry - but today - whew - open the flood gates. Here are the words, in case none of you know it - and a reminder for those that do.

When upon life’s billows you are tempest tossed,
When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,
Count your many blessings, name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.

Refrain:

Count your blessings, name them one by one,
Count your blessings, see what God hath done!
Count your blessings, name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.

Are you ever burdened with a load of care?
Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear?
Count your many blessings, every doubt will fly,
And you will be singing as the days go by.

Refrain

When you look at others with their lands and gold,
Think that Christ has promised you His wealth untold;
Count your many blessings; money cannot buy
Your reward in heaven, nor your home on high.

Refrain

So, amid the conflict whether great or small,
Do not be discouraged, God is over all;
Count your many blessings, angels will attend,
Help and comfort give you to your journey’s end.

Refrain

Then, in RS we had a wonderful lesson (yes Laura, wonderful). Although I was slightly distracted with taking roll because the silly notebook can't make it around the room, and we were handing out new VT assignments - I caught most of it. We talked about Job - from the bible (not job as in a source of income) and how he'd lost EVERYTHING in his life - and how hard that would have been, and still he held onto his testimony, and knew that his blessings were in store, even if they could not be seen at the moment.

So amid the conflict, I need to not be discouraged. GOD IS OVERALL.

I can't be more grateful for this knowledge. At such a time of struggle, and confussion - to be able to find peace - TRUE PEACE - and happiness as well, is such a blessing.

And I am grateful! =) (and NOT a liar!) =P