Showing posts with label surgery. Show all posts
Showing posts with label surgery. Show all posts

Sunday, October 17, 2010

Vrooooom. Vroooooom.

First and foremost, sorry for the delay. I don't actually think that people care that much, but I do realize that this is how most people have been keeping up with the hospitalization/surgery, so I figured I ought to break the silence.

Well, I got out of the hospital on Friday at around noon. I was having mixed feelings about it, as I usually do when I'm leaving the hospital. I don't exactly know what causes me to feel like I'm on an emotional roller coaster when I'm hospitalized. In a way, the hospital setting is relieving because you get a free pass to feel however you want to feel. At the same time, though, I've noticed that the hospital breeds pity parties, which isn't something that interests me. Anyway, I said all of that to say that the last few days have carried with them many ups and downs - fluctuations that seemed acceptable in the hospital, but are a little harder to carry back into real life.

When we left the hospital, my mom and I went to a few different pharmacies trying to get a handle on the prescriptions that I needed. By the time we got home, I was wiped out and took a nap while my amazing mom went to the grocery store to get me some things. My IV medications got delivered Friday evening and the nurse came by to make sure I had everything under control. I wasn't quite feeling up to being alone, so my mom spent the night with me. We slept on the couches and I was very thankful to have her company.

I sat around a lot on Saturday. We got up and my mom headed back to her house. I took my plethora of medications. Then I sat outside writing for a little bit. I was in a very 'deep' mood, and that has continued into today. Then I took another nap (I'm good at that lately) and my mom came back and took me to my parents' house. It was good to spend one more night with company. My mom and I made a quick stop by my grandmother's house on the way here this afternoon.

I had some visitors today. Two friends from the theatre stopped by (LG and EG), and it was good to talk creative with them. We talked about creative endeavors, but we also talked about life, so I was in hog heaven. PLUS, they brought me some queso from Willy's. AWESOME! Anyway, I really enjoyed their company; it got my creative juices flowing. Another friend (JM) also stopped by for a bit, and I continued my philosophical discussions with her. It's days like today when I remember how fortunate I am to know such caring people.

Tomorrow will be my first would-be-workday at home. I think my brother plans to come by WITH HIS DOG!, so that will be fun. I'm hoping this post-hospital funk has almost passed.

Thursday, October 14, 2010

Surgerification

Hello all.

I have been surgerized. I am feeling surprisingly well! I remember feeling much, much worse when I got the surgery back in 2007. I have no idea what could be causing the difference, but I'll take it! Hooray for being well-navigated on the road to recovery.

Today was kind of a blur, as one might imagine. I got picked up from my hospital room at about 9:45 a.m. to head the building for surgery. The wheelchair ride was pretty fun. It's interesting to watch people look at you as they try to figure out what's wrong. I got to the surgery clinic, signed some paperwork, and headed into the OR (on foot, which I found amusing). They gave me some sedatives, but I honestly have no idea when they actually even started with the anesthesia.

When I woke up from surgery, I had no idea what time it was, I felt surprisingly good, and I was chatting with a nice nurse named Anna. I didn't stay down in recovery for very long because I was doing so well already. My transporter came to get me again and took me on a stretcher back to my room. I vaguely remember announcing "kill or be killed" throughout the gurney journey (you like that?).

After I got back to my room, I wanted to eat. SHOCK! My mom went and got me some chocolate frozen yogurt, so that was nice; my throat was a little irritated from the tube they had down it during surgery. I closed my eyes and rested some, but I don't think I ever actually fell asleep. I had a baked potato and a little bit of chicken for dinner, followed up with some cherry-flavored Italian ice. Yum! I've been snacking all night - I'm not sure what's causing this crazy appetite. Cabin fever, perhaps?

Word on the street is that I'm headed home on IVs tomorrow. I'm excited about that because I've been wanting to write, but the hospital has been quite distracting. For example, someone is waxing the floors right now and it's 12:23 a.m. Speaking of, I wonder where the nurse is with my midnight IV...

Thank you to everyone for sending me well wishes for my surgery. They seem to have worked because this is unbelievably easy (knock on wood)!

Saturday, October 9, 2010

Loving the view from cloud 9

Oh man!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The Braves just made me so proud! When we were down 4-1 going into the 7th, I've got to admit I was getting a little concerned. Then, WAM BAM, THANK YOU MA'AM to tie it up in the 8th. It took 11 innings, but the Braves and Giants are now tied 1-1 in the 5-game series. Whew! I wish I could articulate how excited I am right now. It's funny because I'm so wound up that I don't even feel tired! It's so similar (yet different) from last night.

So, the Braves lost a very uneventful 1-0 game last night (Thursday...it's Friday in my mind right now). I mean, I think there were seven total hits between both teams and it was basically a pitchers' duel, although Lincecomb definitely outpitched Lowe. Anyway, I was just perturbed because of the umpire's botched call that kept a runner on base -- that particular runner being the only player who scored in the entire game. I literally was up in the night having a conniption fit over it. When I woke up this morning, it was the first thing that crossed my mind. Now, though, that junk is chump change. CHUMP CHANGE! AHH!

SUNDAY CAN'T COME SOON ENOUGH! I am exerting so much energy right now.

Well, yesterday (Thursday) was a really great day, despite the game. I received a comment on my blog that made my entire day, if not my whole week. It's incredible that something simple can make a big difference to someone. I find myself feeling so inspired this week. It's odd to imagine the 'woe is me' person I was on Monday when I feel so invincible now.

This morning I saw my cousin (BH) before her appointment with the CF doctor. We went to IHOP and I had a really great breakfast. PANCAKES! I was feeling so appreciative that I left a gigantic tip. Now, I know it's not really generosity if you feel like you need attention for it, but I am trying to illustrate that happiness/positivity really does have a snowball effect.

What else? My sinuses are causing pain in places I've never had it before, such as directly behind my eyeballs and in my cheekbones. I can truly say that I am looking forward to my surgery. RELIEF IS ON THE WAY!

Gosh, I need to chill out. It is 2:00 a.m. I'm going to try to get to sleep, I guess. Tomorrow's gonna be an alarm-free day. Oh, and I think I'll exercise.

LET'S! GO! BRAVES!

Monday, October 4, 2010

How things change...

Well, today went much differently than expected. That sentence sounds weird, but I'm out of it. Anyway, I went into work super early (7ish) because I wanted to get home early so that I could see a friend who is (was) leaving the state tomorrow. When I got to work I was very focused, knowing that I have a lot to accomplish this week before I take off for surgery. I emailed the staff about my upcoming leave and started cranking things out.

Out of nowhere I started getting a call from an unknown number. I could tell it was an Emory number, so I answered, thinking it probably had to do with surgery talk or something. To my surprise, it was one of the CF doctors. I still assumed she was calling to verify that all systems were go, but she was instead informing me that some tests from my doctor's appointment (on September 2) showed that I had developed a bacteria in my lungs. As you can imagine, I was very shocked - not only because that appointment was so long ago, but also because this information was nowhere to be found last week.

After an emotionally exhausting day, the new plan consists of me getting admitted to the hospital next Monday to start IVs, with surgery being postponed until next Thursday. As tough as today has been, I am feeling at peace with what is going to happen. Needless to say, I was too much of an emotional wreck to tack on the goodbye, so that has been postponed until tomorrow.

In positive news, THE BRAVES ARE IN THE PLAYOFFS. I am going to the game on Sunday! The doctor tried to get me to come into the hospital on Friday, but I negotiated my way out of it. When I was emailing the surgeon's assistant to explain my unrelenting need to get the date changed, I was like, "To be completely honest, I am a die-hard Braves fan." She was very sweet and encouraging - one of the highlights of my day. My friend (ES) gave me some Braves SillyBandz today! I have on a tomahawk right now.

I am running on low emotional fuel right now, so I'm going to go to sleep. Although I never would have imagined it earlier in the day, I'm starting to see the positive...

Thank you for any thoughts of healing and happiness that you can send my way.

P.S. No word from the rat.

Friday, September 24, 2010

Been tryin' to get down...

to the heart of the matter. Tonight's song is "The Heart of the Matter" by Don Henley. There's no secret meaning to that - it just got stuck in my head because of a random conversation earlier.

So, where did the week go? I don't even know.

Well, I do know that on Tuesday night I worked a graduation show at the theatre. I was on lights, which meant I was in charge of recording the DVD. Now, this was nerve racking considering this show was only happening because it was a redo of a show that did not record several weeks ago. However, the recording was successful! I had a really fun time working in the booth during the show, and then went out with a couple friends (JR, TO) for a few beers afterwards.

Wednesday one of my greatest fears came true... kinda. My friend (AM) called after she got off work - she lives in Virginia. We were chatting as I made my way down to Midtown to do a little work before rehearsal. Out of nowhere, she was in mid-sentence, and she said, "Whoa, whoa, whoaaaaa." Then, I just heard crashing, much like when you're in a restaurant and a server drops a tray. She was like, "I just got hit. I gotta go." Thankfully I could tell it wasn't too horrible because she sounded relatively calm. Either way, it scared the living daylights out of me. I've always had this unrealistic fear that I would hear something like that happen.

Last night I attended the 10-year anniversary party of the house where we work. I was supposed to be working at the registration table, but we had plenty of people, so I pretty much got to mingle and sip on cocktails. When my shift technically ended, I decided to rush down to Midtown to see my friend's (JR) first show as an apprentice. Man, it was so fun to be in the audience without any obligations! The show was awesome and I was thoroughly amused.

It's Homecoming, so I have to work pretty much all day tomorrow. I start at a movie screening at 10:30 a.m. and will basically work until midnight. I know it will be fun because it typically is, but MAN, that's a long day. I'm working at the Indigo Girls concert after the movie screening and then I head to the Class of 1990 reunion. I've got a big day ahead of me!

I have nothing to say about the Braves. NOTHING.

Well, I'm starting to get impatient waiting for sinus surgery. I have headaches pretty much all the time now. Two weeks to go!

I worked out today, so I am proud of myself. I haven't felt like it much lately with my head feeling the way it does, but I'm glad I went. I plan to exercise tomorrow morning before I head over to campus for my slew of events.

Saturday, September 18, 2010

ROAAAAAAAAAAAAAR

I'm at one of those points again where the world just feels like it's spinning out of control. I literally feel like I blogged yesterday, but apparently it's been four days. In some respects that makes me glad because I know I'm out and about accomplishing things. In other ways, though, it's discouraging because I know I'm not stopping to smell the roses, which is kinda stressing me out.

Well, I will vomit if I talk about the Braves game on Wednesday. My record has dropped to 6 and 4. BLAH BLAH BLAH. The Braves and I are not on great terms right now, but I was happy for a win tonight.

My surgery is officially on the books for October 11. I'm not sure yet what the plan is as far as getting admitted, going on IV antibiotics, taking off from work, etc. Honestly I'm still processing the fact that it's scheduled, so I'll give it a few days to start finalizing those details. I feel a sense of relief, but I'm also overwhelmed.

I was in the show last night and it was fun! It was one of the new apprentices' (AF) first shows, so that was cool. He and I were in every scene together, too! I played Remote Control Styles, Musical Styles (80s love ballad, 90s boy band, R&B, rap), Repeat Scene Stereotypes (drag queens, drunk drug dealers, rednecks), and Oscar Musical Funeral (as Barbara Buchanan). Yeeehaw!

Today I met my siblings (and my brother's girlfriend) for lunch at Chick-fil-A. Then, for dinner, I went to Los Bravos with KW. I needed to get out and do something because today was kinda 'mleh.' I had a great time. We watched a documentary called Dear Zachary and it was really interesting. Although today had its ups and downs, I'm thankful to be ending on an 'up.'

Sleeping sounds so awesome right now! I am really excited to sleep and feel new in the morning!

Tuesday, September 14, 2010

When I wake up in the mornin'...

Sometimes I fail at things. Lately, that thing is writing blogs. It's funny because blogging is something I enjoy, so I don't exactly know why it's been falling to the wayside lately.

I had a good weekend. I took it VERY easy - really made the most of having a weekend without obligations. Honestly, it seemed like it lasted FOREVER! I stayed home pretty much the entire time, mainly watching sports. I saw Georgia Tech and the Atlanta Falcons get their first losses of the season. Ugh!

Atlanta's athletic failure continued on Sunday night when I went to the Braves game with BA. We had a lot of fun! Unfortunately the Braves lost. I did, however, eat some Dippin' Dots. I really, really didn't want to witness another loss this year, but sometimes the stars just don't align. I'll have another opportunity, though...

TOMORROW! Me and my brother are going to the game, and it's at 12:10 p.m. I'm pretty excited because I don't think I've ever taken off work to go to a sporting event. It makes me think of Zack Morris on "Saved By the Bell" when he plays hooky and catches a ball at the Dodgers game and is caught on TV. The main difference here is that I requested time off forever ago, but it will still feel risque! However, I might be on TV! My brother got us awesome tickets in literally the fifth row. AHHH! I am excited!

I don't have a whole lot else to say. I got the official call about sinus surgery today, so I should have that scheduled within a week. The nurse mentioned that recovery would be about two weeks, which kinda surprised me. Now I've just gotta coordinate with the CF doctor to see if I should try to do IV antibiotics or anything while I'm already getting thrown into the slammer. Decisions, decisions.

Have a great night!

Did you hear about the corduroy pillow?
It's making HEADLINES!

Sunday, July 26, 2009

It's tee time

It has been a buuuuuuuuuuuuusy weekend.

Yesterday I went to visit my uncle in the hospital. He had quadruple bypass surgery on Wednesday after getting hospitalized on Monday. He is doing well. He was telling me how he would let me borrow a golf club, but he was seriously worried for me to have any kind of weapon like that in my hand last night. I don't blame him, as he has seen me in all forms and fashions.

Wow... Last night was incredible. The bachelorette party was hilarious - the most fun I've had in who knows how long. We looked absolutely absurd and our actions were in line with our costumes. We carried around this foam golf club that got transformed into a guitar, a stick pony, etc. I truly can't think of many times that I've ever been as crazy as I was last night. Gosh, we were a sight! Having on someone else's golf glove really made me feel like a superhero. I think we could all agree on one thing, though, and that was that I attract the creepiest people.

Tomorrow is the start of the first five-day work week I will have had since the week of June 15, I believe. And the three weeks before that were one two-day week and two four-day weeks. Now I am really wondering how I'm going to hold up! Only one month of Summer Fridays left.... AHHH!

I am about to go eat Mexican food and see a movie. I haven't been to the movies since last December, I think. I hope I can stay awake; movie theaters tend to put me to sleep!

Adios!