Wednesday, December 28, 2011

24 Hours.

It is amazing how many new experiences one can have in 24 hours.  Take the last 24, for instance:
  • Go to the doctor @ 11 AM because I haven't been able to eat anything in about a week without pain. 
  • Verbalize some very indelicate symptoms which I won't go into... talk about awkward.
  • Based on symptoms, doctor tells me I may have picked up something in Africa or there's a possibility I have Crohn's disease.  Should it be the latter, my sister and I could be Crohnies... get it? ;)
  • Doctor tells me I should have CT on my abdomen to rule out the possibility gall-bladder/liver problems.  
  • CT scan scheduled for 1:30.
  • I drink 48 ounces of contrast/dye mixed with apple juice for above CT scan. I also get dye injected through an IV that makes me feel like I'm having a hot flash. AWESOME.
  • CT scan gets performed about 3:00.
  • Doctor calls about 4:30 with interesting news... Acute appendicitis.  Interesting because I didn't present with any of the symptoms for acute appendicitis.
  • I'm at the hospital by 5:15.  Never been checked into a hospital before.  I'm told my appendix measured 13mm and they take it out if it's at 8mm. I guess I'm an over-achiever.
  • Surgery performed at 7:30.
  • Wake up from surgery around 8:45 without an appendix and with three little incisions in my abdomen.  Proceed to ask my mom the same questions for the next two hours.
  • Spend night in hospital with cool hospital wrist band.
  • Acquire a strong dislike for two things: hospital gowns (they're much too breezy for my liking) and the pain scale. 
  • Get to walk around the hospital floor in a counter-clockwise direction every two hours with my IV stand in tow.  Doesn't get much better than that!
  • Eat the breakfast of champions: chicken broth and diet coke.
  • Nurse practitioner tells me I can't lift anything over 15 lbs for 3 weeks and can't run for a while... "A while" seems to be pretty relative to me :)
  • Home by 11:00 AM and ready to watch Texas beat Cal tonight. 

Like I said, a lot of new things can happen in 24 hours.

3 comments:

Stacie said...

No way! You are too much fun, my dear. :) Did they also wake you every hour for your blood pressure? That's my personal fav after just having had a baby.

Glad you're at home so you can be watched over!

Kayla said...

Sounds like quite the day. You really should stop being such an over-acheiver.

Yankey said...

So did you possibly pick your Acute Appendicitis from Africa?
You've been to so many places, so why would your doctor think so? Why Africa but not Europe? Is Africa a dungeon for diseases? If it was,how was it that we saw u trotting on the streets' pavements in knickers. Why do you Westerners border yourself coming to Africa. Westerners like you and your Doctor think Africa is a Jungle,a disease infiltrated place and hell but We Africans and Blacks know that is our PARADISE. A black person in the West is considered an animal, a second class citizen and an ill-appreciated human being but when ever they step on an African soil they are Considered a Royal. We treat you white people with respect , love and kindness whenever you come to Africa. All that we get in return is horrible and a ridiculous news written about our Motherland such as the one above. So why bother yourself coming to our MOTHERLAND AFRICA your Jungle and a place of diseases and do not stay in your West? I don't seem to understand.By the way, i wish u a swift recovery.