Three days spent on the couch writhing in pain.
Two days spent in a hospital.
One surgery scheduled for next week.
One bottle of vicodin that has me in a constant haze.
Yep, that pretty much sums it up.
More next week when I am minus one non-functioning gall bladder.
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
And the Hits Just Keep On Comin'
There's nothing quite like being kicked when you are down. That's a little bit how I feel right now. I'm sure you all know what I'm talking about. One bad thing happens. And that is followed by another bad thing. And it goes on and on. And you wonder When is this ever going to end?
Unfortunately for us, it doesn't feel like the end is anywhere in sight. This is what the past 2 weeks have looked like at our house:
*I broke my rib, among other things.
*Kasey hurt his wrist at work, put off going to the doctor, and is now wearing a brace with a lifting restriction of 5 pounds. (combined with my 0 pound lifting restriction, we are doing really well.)
*Kimberly tripped and smacked her face on the corner of the couch. She split open her lip and got a bloody nose. Her face was swollen for 2 days. I was really concerned she might have broken her nose. (She is doing great now.)
*Kasey got a call saying his grandmother was in the hospital with pneumonia and not doing well.
*I went to the hospital in an ambulance.
*Kasey got another phone call saying his grandmother had passed away.
*I looked up a flight for Kasey to go to the funeral. One hour later, after trying to coordinate a flight with Kasey's brother, the price of the ticket had gone up.
*My brother-in-law sent a package to Kasey containing valuable memorabilia from the Superbowl and personalized, autographed hockey pucks. The package was stolen off the doorstep.
*Took our Durango in to get the brakes replaced. Turns out the rotors were bad too. It cost more than 3 times what we were planning.
*Had to replace the tires on my van.
*Driving home from helping a friend, a rock hit my windshield. It will probably need to be replaced--very soon.
*Kasey went to a specialist about his wrist (which is not getting better). Doctor suspects he has torn the cartilage in his wrist. He's scheduled to get an MRI on Monday morning.
I mean really! Really? Universe, why do you hate us so much?
I am trying really hard to count my blessings. For example, all but one of the above listed items has happened to either Kasey or me. I am so thankful our children continue to be healthy. See? I can be positive sometimes.
Unfortunately for us, it doesn't feel like the end is anywhere in sight. This is what the past 2 weeks have looked like at our house:
*I broke my rib, among other things.
*Kasey hurt his wrist at work, put off going to the doctor, and is now wearing a brace with a lifting restriction of 5 pounds. (combined with my 0 pound lifting restriction, we are doing really well.)
*Kimberly tripped and smacked her face on the corner of the couch. She split open her lip and got a bloody nose. Her face was swollen for 2 days. I was really concerned she might have broken her nose. (She is doing great now.)
*Kasey got a call saying his grandmother was in the hospital with pneumonia and not doing well.
*I went to the hospital in an ambulance.
*Kasey got another phone call saying his grandmother had passed away.
*I looked up a flight for Kasey to go to the funeral. One hour later, after trying to coordinate a flight with Kasey's brother, the price of the ticket had gone up.
*My brother-in-law sent a package to Kasey containing valuable memorabilia from the Superbowl and personalized, autographed hockey pucks. The package was stolen off the doorstep.
*Took our Durango in to get the brakes replaced. Turns out the rotors were bad too. It cost more than 3 times what we were planning.
*Had to replace the tires on my van.
*Driving home from helping a friend, a rock hit my windshield. It will probably need to be replaced--very soon.
*Kasey went to a specialist about his wrist (which is not getting better). Doctor suspects he has torn the cartilage in his wrist. He's scheduled to get an MRI on Monday morning.
I mean really! Really? Universe, why do you hate us so much?
I am trying really hard to count my blessings. For example, all but one of the above listed items has happened to either Kasey or me. I am so thankful our children continue to be healthy. See? I can be positive sometimes.
Sunday, March 14, 2010
Ambulance and Hospital and Morphine, Oh My!
To say we've had an exciting weekend would be an understatement.
I've been trying to recover from an injury I sustained 2 weeks ago. I had been doing so well. In fact, the doctor was even allowing me to lift a limited amount of weight. It kinda felt like I was getting back to normal.
On Friday night, our family was hanging out on my bed. Kasey was telling jokes, and we were all laughing, having a great time. That is, until Kimberly stood up, lost her balance and planted her little baby elbows right in the middle of my back. I cried out in pain. Kasey quickly ushered the girls out of the bedroom and got some ice and Ibuprofen for me. Unfortunately, the ice and medicine did little to help the pain.
I asked Kasey to put the girls to bed. Before they crawled in their beds, Makayla came over and put a blanket on me. Ellie grabbed my "pretty purple stripey socks" and put them on my feet. And Kimberly gave me a big sloppy kiss. Such sweet, caring girls I have!
This next part gets a little hazy for me. I remember being really cold and just shaking uncontrollably. Kasey decided to take me to the hospital. He called a friend to help get me to the car because at that point, I was in so much pain that I couldn't even roll over on my side. Walking to the car was completely out of the question.
He ran upstairs and asked our neighbor if she could come sit with the girls for a while. She took one look at me and said, "She's in shock! She needs an ambulance!" So Kasey called 911.
When the EMT's got here they discovered that the hallway to my apartment wasn't wide enough to wheel in the gurney. When they told me I would have to walk, I started sobbing all over again. Every step I took caused the muscles in my back to spasm. I was still shaking, and I couldn't stop crying. The pain was excruciating! Worse than anything I have EVER felt in my life!
After I had made it about 5 feet, they told me they could fit a wheel chair into my apartment, and I would just have to make it to my bedroom door--an additional 4 feet. Four feet has never felt so far away.
I eventually made it outside where they helped me lay down on the gurney and put me in the back of the ambulance. After trying in both arms, the EMT got my IV to work. They picked up a paramedic before heading to the next town where the hospital is located. He gave me some morphine to help with the pain.
Now, I have never had morphine before, and it was a very different experience. I felt like tiny little men were inside my chest, jumping on my heart, trying to make it fall into my stomach. I felt like someone was whisking my insides into scrambled eggs. But I think the worst sensation was feeling like my eyes were sliding down my face. Besides all these crazy side effects, the medicine dulled the pain in my back for which I was extremely grateful.
Once in the hospital I did what every other person does when he goes to the hospital. Wait.
And wait. . .
And wait. . . . . .
Finally some x-rays were ordered. When the doctor looked at them I was surprised that he said he couldn't see a broken rib anywhere. Strange considering my x-rays from 10 days prior DID show a broken rib. I'm definitely taking the new films to Dr. D to compare them.
Anyway, the ER doctor said he thinks I have costochondritis. I did some research when I got home, and just between you and me, I think what I have more resembles Tietze Syndrome. Either way, there is no cure. I basically have to just wait out the pain until it resolves itself. In the meantime, I am doped up on drugs 24 hours a day. I can't function otherwise.
Kasey took yesterday and today off. He took all three girls to church so I could stay home and rest. So I guess I should go and do that.
I've been trying to recover from an injury I sustained 2 weeks ago. I had been doing so well. In fact, the doctor was even allowing me to lift a limited amount of weight. It kinda felt like I was getting back to normal.
On Friday night, our family was hanging out on my bed. Kasey was telling jokes, and we were all laughing, having a great time. That is, until Kimberly stood up, lost her balance and planted her little baby elbows right in the middle of my back. I cried out in pain. Kasey quickly ushered the girls out of the bedroom and got some ice and Ibuprofen for me. Unfortunately, the ice and medicine did little to help the pain.
I asked Kasey to put the girls to bed. Before they crawled in their beds, Makayla came over and put a blanket on me. Ellie grabbed my "pretty purple stripey socks" and put them on my feet. And Kimberly gave me a big sloppy kiss. Such sweet, caring girls I have!
This next part gets a little hazy for me. I remember being really cold and just shaking uncontrollably. Kasey decided to take me to the hospital. He called a friend to help get me to the car because at that point, I was in so much pain that I couldn't even roll over on my side. Walking to the car was completely out of the question.
He ran upstairs and asked our neighbor if she could come sit with the girls for a while. She took one look at me and said, "She's in shock! She needs an ambulance!" So Kasey called 911.
When the EMT's got here they discovered that the hallway to my apartment wasn't wide enough to wheel in the gurney. When they told me I would have to walk, I started sobbing all over again. Every step I took caused the muscles in my back to spasm. I was still shaking, and I couldn't stop crying. The pain was excruciating! Worse than anything I have EVER felt in my life!
After I had made it about 5 feet, they told me they could fit a wheel chair into my apartment, and I would just have to make it to my bedroom door--an additional 4 feet. Four feet has never felt so far away.
I eventually made it outside where they helped me lay down on the gurney and put me in the back of the ambulance. After trying in both arms, the EMT got my IV to work. They picked up a paramedic before heading to the next town where the hospital is located. He gave me some morphine to help with the pain.
Now, I have never had morphine before, and it was a very different experience. I felt like tiny little men were inside my chest, jumping on my heart, trying to make it fall into my stomach. I felt like someone was whisking my insides into scrambled eggs. But I think the worst sensation was feeling like my eyes were sliding down my face. Besides all these crazy side effects, the medicine dulled the pain in my back for which I was extremely grateful.
Once in the hospital I did what every other person does when he goes to the hospital. Wait.
And wait. . .
And wait. . . . . .
Finally some x-rays were ordered. When the doctor looked at them I was surprised that he said he couldn't see a broken rib anywhere. Strange considering my x-rays from 10 days prior DID show a broken rib. I'm definitely taking the new films to Dr. D to compare them.
Anyway, the ER doctor said he thinks I have costochondritis. I did some research when I got home, and just between you and me, I think what I have more resembles Tietze Syndrome. Either way, there is no cure. I basically have to just wait out the pain until it resolves itself. In the meantime, I am doped up on drugs 24 hours a day. I can't function otherwise.
Kasey took yesterday and today off. He took all three girls to church so I could stay home and rest. So I guess I should go and do that.
Saturday, March 6, 2010
Another Tooth Bites the Dust
She couldn't be more thrilled!Updated to add: Her tooth was really loose. She could use her tongue to push it flat, but she refused to let me pull it out. Later, she bit into a hard, stale cookie. That did it. She reached in and pulled the tooth out herself.
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Not Mother of the Year
This morning as Makayla was rushing out the door to get to school on time, I took a quick peek at the school lunch menu.
Makayla, do you want to eat chicken teriyaki rice bowl for lunch today?
Blech! No way!
Okay, well I don't have time to make a cold lunch right now, but I will bring it to you before you go to lunch.
She rushed out the door and I went about getting ready for the day. At one o'clock I was cleaning up lunch at our house and stopped dead in my tracks. I slapped my forehead (in a very cartoon-ish way) and told Kasey, "We forgot to take lunch to Makayla!"
It's not like she didn't get to eat anything for lunch. She has a lunch account to which I add money every month. But this is not the first time THIS WEEK that I have forgotten to take her a cold lunch. It's the second time. I cannot believe that I forgot! Again!
I blame it on the rib. Apparently, healing a broken bone leaches smarts from my brain.
Makayla, do you want to eat chicken teriyaki rice bowl for lunch today?
Blech! No way!
Okay, well I don't have time to make a cold lunch right now, but I will bring it to you before you go to lunch.
She rushed out the door and I went about getting ready for the day. At one o'clock I was cleaning up lunch at our house and stopped dead in my tracks. I slapped my forehead (in a very cartoon-ish way) and told Kasey, "We forgot to take lunch to Makayla!"
It's not like she didn't get to eat anything for lunch. She has a lunch account to which I add money every month. But this is not the first time THIS WEEK that I have forgotten to take her a cold lunch. It's the second time. I cannot believe that I forgot! Again!
I blame it on the rib. Apparently, healing a broken bone leaches smarts from my brain.
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Some Pretty Crappy News
I've been seeing a chiropractor for quite some time. After I had Kimberly, I had some serious back problems. Dr. D has done wonders for me! I think I had kind of forgotten what it was like to live without pain every single day of my life.
The last month or so I have been really great, but over the weekend I noticed a really sharp pain in my mid-back that traveled down my arm into my fingers. I finally went back to see Dr. D yesterday. After describing my symptoms to him he said he thought my ribs might be a little tweeked out of place. He adjusted me and I went on my merry way with a follow-up appointment for today and carefully following his advice to limit lifting and twisting. No problem.
This morning when I woke up I was feeling ok. Still a little sore, but nothing I couldn't deal with. Then I picked up Kimberly out of her crib. Instant pain in my back and side. Throughout the day the pain got progressively worse.
When I went to my appointment this afternoon I literally broke down sobbing when the dr asked me how I was doing. I couldn't even talk to him, I was in so much pain.
He took some x-rays and discovered that my ribs were more than a little tweeked. In fact, I had dislocated 3 ribs and broken another. How did that happen you ask? Good question. I wish I had an answer. I honestly have no idea how I did that.
I wish I knew, because I would NEVER DO THAT AGAIN!
For now I'm just trying to manage the pain. I think probably the hardest part is not being able to lift Kimberly. I couldn't really care less about whether the housework gets done. I just want to hold my kids. And right now I just can't. I am going to become really well acquainted with my couch over the next little while. I'd ask people for book recommendations, but I couldn't get to my library even if I wanted to.
The last month or so I have been really great, but over the weekend I noticed a really sharp pain in my mid-back that traveled down my arm into my fingers. I finally went back to see Dr. D yesterday. After describing my symptoms to him he said he thought my ribs might be a little tweeked out of place. He adjusted me and I went on my merry way with a follow-up appointment for today and carefully following his advice to limit lifting and twisting. No problem.
This morning when I woke up I was feeling ok. Still a little sore, but nothing I couldn't deal with. Then I picked up Kimberly out of her crib. Instant pain in my back and side. Throughout the day the pain got progressively worse.
When I went to my appointment this afternoon I literally broke down sobbing when the dr asked me how I was doing. I couldn't even talk to him, I was in so much pain.
He took some x-rays and discovered that my ribs were more than a little tweeked. In fact, I had dislocated 3 ribs and broken another. How did that happen you ask? Good question. I wish I had an answer. I honestly have no idea how I did that.
I wish I knew, because I would NEVER DO THAT AGAIN!
For now I'm just trying to manage the pain. I think probably the hardest part is not being able to lift Kimberly. I couldn't really care less about whether the housework gets done. I just want to hold my kids. And right now I just can't. I am going to become really well acquainted with my couch over the next little while. I'd ask people for book recommendations, but I couldn't get to my library even if I wanted to.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)