Mitchuation Update - Sick, and Tired

Also titled, Why No Post?

It's been a while, but it's been a crazy time.  There has been a lot happening and a lot good over these past several days.   And with these next couple of blog entries, I want to tell you all about them.

First, I want to say thank you for all your thoughts and prayers for the job interviews and the ultimate new position.  They were felt, they were appreciated, they were heard.  And I promise to get into that entire story, in the next entry.

First, I want to update you on the past couple of days, explaining why I have not gotten to post that entry yet, and to ask for your prayers again.

Last week was good, but crazy.  Started with a final phone interview for one of the positions I had been vying for.  Moved to an impromptu trip to Buna to visit family for a couple of different reasons.  Headed back to Wills Point to drop Jamie off for an incredible Women's Conference she attended Friday night and Saturday.  Me getting to have fun with the kids that time.  Church on Sunday.

Busy, good.

Sunday afternoon, I got sick.  I thought it was just a stomach virus.  Jude had one the previous week.  So did our nephew, whom we also babysat.  I thought I had just caught it.

By Monday, it became apparent that this was no ordinary stomach virus.  The stomach and abdominal cramping was worse than I had ever had.  Blood came from where it should not.

I was taken to the local ER that night and was diagnosed with colitis.   Inflammation of the colon, causing the bleeding.  Given two antibiotics, a painkiller, and an anti-nausa medication, and sent home.

Despite following the medication instructions, things did not improve, but I made it through Tuesday.  By Wednesday morning, I was severely dehydrated, worried I was becoming anemic, and feeling worse than I have ever felt.

Jamie took me to the ER in Tyler yesterday morning, where I spent last night and most of the morning.  Administered fluids regularly, clear liquid diet, and poked and prodded for various tests.

Thankfully, the diagnosis was a bacteria, causing acute inflammatory colitis.  A bacteria that will thankfully run its course on its own caused it all.  I'm now back at home, tired, worn, and recovering.  Trying to drink as much as possible, but not overdo it.  Just to keep from getting dehydrated again.  Trying to add soft foods in little by little.  And then work from there.

I am feeling much better than I was.  I am on the road to recovery, but am definitely still weak.

For those that Jamie contacted and who sent thoughts and prayers, they were definitely appreciated.  I would definitely ask to continue to be in your remembrances, as the recovery continues.

It was such a strange occurrence.  We had just really gotten to start celebrating and then got to feeling so horrible.  Thankfully now we can get back to celebrating.

And with sharing the celebration with everyone, too.

Recovery, 1 Week In

This is going to be a fairly frank and open blog about how I'm doing after gallbladder removal, so it is going to include some gross bodily functions.  Understand if you don't want to read beyond this paragraph.  Forewarned is fair warned.

Everything seems to be going well.  No pain in the abdomen, beyond the occasional bruised feeling at the incision sites.  Mostly they itch.  I'm ready for the steri-strips to fall off, especially so I can clean them better.

I'm learning how to deal with food.  Still trying to find out exactly what I can and cannot eat.  Definitely seem to have had the bile salt experience.   I had one day of a messed up stomach all day mid-week last week.  Since then, if my stomach is going to be upset, it will be after the first meal in the morning.  From what I've read, this can be common, as the bile builds up in the stomach over night and is a bit overactive with the first meal.

It's mainly left me tired.  I feel like I'm still in a caloric deficit.  Plus I'm gassy.  I'm belching a lot more as everything is still trying to settle.

The hardest part, though, has been the 10 pound limit on picking anything up.  In particular, not being able to pick up the kids.  Avalyn kind of understands, but Jude definitely does not.  It's been working okay, but I'm ready for that limitation to pass.

My followup is next Monday.  Hopefully then I'll get the full good ahead.

Until then, thank you for all the thoughts and prayers.  They mean more than you can imagine.

Recovering

Short Post - An Update of Sorts

I'm home.  I'm resting.  And I'm sore.

I think most of what I'm experiencing now is gas pain, so while I would like to sleep, I need to move every once and a while to help relieve it.  Right behind the belly button is the worst.  Of course that would be the biggest incision.

Everything went well according to the doctors, so things should start improving tomorrow.  Will look forward to trying a little food then.

For now, juice and water.  And hopefully sleep.

Will keep y'all updated.

Thanks for everyone who sent prayers and thoughts this way.  You don't know what that means to me.