To start off with, I'd like to apologize for any spelling or grammatical errors in this post. I didn't realize I was so tired until I started typing but I want to stay awake as long as I can so I at least have a chance of sleeping all the way through the night tonight. I've been dozing off all day, but I think a few consecutive hours of sleep would really be the best thing for me.
Well I am now missing one of my internal organs! Phrasing it like that is still really weird for me to wrap my mind around, but it is the truth. I figured I'd write the whole story out in a blog post so I don't have to tell the story a million times. I'll try and keep all the icky details out because honestly, no reader really cares if I puked or not.
When I went to bed Saturday night, I was feeling totally dandy. I was excited for fast and testimony meeting at church on Sunday and the Break the Fast that my ward was having afterwards. No pain or anything. I felt really great. But I was woken up around 7:30 on Sunday morning with this dull throbbing pain in my gut. I tried to ignore it for a while but around 8 am I woke up and went the bathroom, hoping I'd be able to crawl back in bed for another hour or so. But NOPE! I sat in bed and watched a show on Hulu as I waited for the pain to go away. It wasn't excruciatingly painful or anything, I just felt...well, gassy for lack of a better term.
Around 9 am, I decided to go for a walk but when I came back I felt worse than when I left. I curled up on our couch and knew that there was no way that I was going to make it to church. Stephanie (my amazing roommate) was already up making cheesecake for the Break the Fast and she suggested that I should go hop in the shower to see if that could help me feel better. I took a hot shower, but it didn't help at all. I got really dizzy and nauseous, but nothing really happened.
By this point, I figured I was either suffering from food poisoning or some version of the flu. After my shower, I sent a few texts to some of of the guys in my student ward asking if they had time to drop by for a priesthood blessing before church. I waited for a response, but eventually I caved and asked my roommate Hannah to go get someone for a blessing. I had praying all morning for strength and help, but knew that a priesthood blessing would really be useful.
Ever since I've moved up to Rexburg and started going to BYU-Idaho, I've been amazed at just how willing the men are to give priesthood blessings at literally a moment's notice. Our apartment managers and church leaders are always urging us to create Zion here in Rexburg and I honestly can think of no greater aspect of Zion than to have worthy priesthood holders always ready to serve their fellow brothers and sisters. It is such a great blessing to have in my life and one that I am incredibly grateful for.
Anyways, I was given a blessing for the healing of sick by 3 of my amazing FHE brothers before everyone headed over to attend church meetings. Before the blessing, on a scale of 1-10 I would have put my pain at about a 5 or 6. But as soon as the blessing was over, the pain instantly dropped down to about a 2 and I was able to have relief from it---even for a short while.
At this point, as I was curled up on the couch, my roommate Kara and I began jokingly discussing what it would be like if I had appendicitis. As a kid, I remember reading the book "Madeline" about "12 little girls in 2 straight lines" and "rain or shine" or something like that. I just remember that she woke up in the middle of the night with her tummy hurting and it turns out she has to get her appendix out. I remember that, as I read that book, I thought it would be SO COOL to get my appendix out and have a cool scar like Madeline! Kara and I had this full-blown conversation about how much we loved that book. At this point, I was still convinced that I had the flu...so I had no idea how ironic it really was.
The three hours that I spent at home while my roommates and neighbors were at church were full of intense pain and sickness. They left around 10:30 for church and by about 1:30 I knew that this was more than just the flu or food poisoning. I spent a while on the phone with both my Uncle Dave and Mom, discussing different possibilities regarding what I could do at home and how much insurance would cover if I really needed to go to the ER. Hannah and Steph were sweet enough to check back in on me between Sacrament Meeting and Sunday School, telling me to text them if I needed anything. The only thing that I could think of that would possibly help my situation was a bit of carbonation. Mom used to give us Sprite or 7-Up whenever we got sick, and I figured it was at least worth a shot. I texted Hannah and Steph asking to see if they could find someone with any type of carbonated drink. They brought me some Club Soda (thank you Aaron!!!) and I took a few sips. I knew within about 30 seconds that the carbonation was not going to be the solution for this problem.
By this point, my pain scale was in a constant state of flux between 6-9. It would build to an 8 or 9, I'd get nauseous, and it would drop back to a high 6. But there was no relief. It was constant pain for like five hours. I felt pretty good about my ability to handle pain, but man oh man was yesterday miserable.
Steph and Hannah were now hurrying to spread some cherries and strawberries over the cheesecake to take over to break the fast. I barely had to ask if they would find someone to drive me to the ER before they immediately went to find someone. I slid on some sandals and grabbed my wallet and cell phone. I hadn't ever met Matt before. He lives in my apartment complex but isn't in my ward, so our paths had never crossed. Honestly if he hadn't stopped by to check on me earlier today, I totally would've forgotten what he looked like. But this total stranger took time out of his Sunday afternoon to drive this miserably silent girl over to the ER. It was amazingly kind.
I'd also like to take a moment to thank my roommates. Not only did they miss the Break the Fast for me, but they didn't even change out of their church clothes before they were helping me out to the car and rode with me to the hospital. I didn't even ask them to go with me. They just volunteered. I truly am blessed to have these two in my life. Once at the hospital, they patiently waited in the Waiting Room until the nurse brought me back. They even worked hard to keep my parents up to date on everything going on as I was fading in and out of consciousness (I apparently don't handle my drugs very well).
It couldn't have taken very long for the guy at the front desk of Madison County hospital to take down my information but man it felt like it took hours. He got my basic information and told me to go sit down. On the car ride over, I had texted Uncle Dave, Mom, and Dad to tell them that yes, I had decided to go to the ER. Dad called while I was in the waiting room and I really didn't mean to be short with you, dad. I really didn't. I just wasn't feeling good enough to be able to hold a conversation. I know you were just concerned, so I do feel really bad about being so short with you.
It was such a blessing that the hospital wasn't busy. They were able to take me back really quickly. The nurse spoke with me about all the basics: symptoms, if I'd eaten anything, any allergies to medicine etc etc. I got one of those wonderful hospital gowns that have no back and crawled up onto this really narrow hospital bed. The nurse wrapped me in a warm blanket (blanket warmers: my new favorite thing EVER!) and tried to find my veins. She kept apologizing for taking so long as she tried to stick the IV into me, but honestly I was just ready for the painkillers. I remember gritting my teeth as she tried to find my veins and asking how long it was going to take to get the painkillers. She assured me that as soon as my IV was up and running, she had the painkillers right there with her and she'd give them to me. By that point, I knew that there was a definite light at the end of the tunnel and that relief was coming. My biggest fear was coming to the hospital only to have NO ONE know what was wrong and send me home in just as much pain as I had started with.
I'm not a Nursing major. I have no idea how an IV works or how the nurse was giving me painkillers through the IV, but man oh man am I grateful. She warned me that I was going to get pretty sleepy, but I thought she was exaggerating. I didn't realize how loopy I was until the nurse brought Hannah and Steph back to my room. Steph was on my left and Hannah was on my right. I remember them asking me questions and checking in on me. In my head, I was responding very calmly to all of their questions. It took me a while to realize that my lips weren't moving and that my eyelids were closing. I THINK I was able to get out a mumbled apology about not being able to stay awake...but everything from that point on is a bit of a blur. I vaguely remember Hannah tucking the blankets around me tighter... But I dozed off while I waited for the nurse to get back with the results of the blood test.
At some point, the nurse came in and told me that they wanted to do a CAT scan. I remember the bars on the side of my bed being pulled up and being wheeled down the hallway. The guy working at the CAT scan room was really nice. He helped me off of my bed and onto the stretcher. He talked me through everything that was going to happen. He told me he was going to send some type of CAT scan medicine through my IV and told me which symptoms to expect, as well as which symptoms I needed to tell him about because they were bad symptoms. I remember him repeatedly warning me that one of the symptoms would feel like I was peeing myself. I thought he was joking! But he wasn't! Only being half-conscious was odd enough, but then having this warm sensation like I had suddenly lost all control over my bladder... It was just odd. I remained in full control of my bodily functions but it definitely was a weirdddd feeling.
I think I slept through the actual CAT scan. My eyes were closed at least. The CAT scan guy helped me back to my bed and then wheeled me back to my room. By this point, I felt much more awake. I was able to sit up a little and talk to Hannah and Stephanie. Steph told me that Cameron had called and that there was a group coming over to check on me in a little bit.
Just before they showed up, though, my nurse came in and very nonchalantly was like "Ok well we looked at your CAT scan and it looks like your appendix is inflamed so you'll be going into surgery tonight". Cool as a cucumber. Not a problem. Whatever. We're just going to be cutting you open and taking out one of your organs.
I'd like to think that it was due to my faith in the priesthood blessing that I'd gotten earlier that morning that helped steady my nerves. Honestly, I think I was just drugged out of my mind and wasn't really very emotional at that point. But whatever the reason, I was very calm about the whole thing. I wasn't in any pain and the doctors KNEW what was wrong. That was comfort enough for me.
At this point, I was able to send out one group text to Mom, Dad, and Uncle Dave (the big 3 that I had been talking to throughout this whole thing) to let them know the diagnosis and that I was going to be going into surgery. I had less than 10% of my cell phone battery left so I warned them that I wasn't going to be able to text much so at this point Stephanie and Hannah were fantastic at keeping communication open between me and my family.
It was just a few seconds later that my visitors stopped by. Cameron had been kind enough to grab my cell phone charger from my apartment so I was able to charge my phone. I plugged my phone in and saw that I had had several people from my ward text me and ask where I was, why I was in the hospital, and if they could do anything to help. Note to self: when trying to make an inconspicuous escape to the ER, don't stumble out to the car in your pajamas when your whole ward is on the lawn eating taco salad. At this point, I posted a Facebook status to respond to all of the questions I was getting. I got teased by several members of my family for turning to Facebook, but I promise there was a reason for it!!!
I was only allowed 2 visitors at a time, so they took turns. Caity, Kara, MeKenna, Cameron, and Steve all cycled through to check in on me. I remember that telling Cameron that he looked like a Newsie and Steve started singing a few lines "I'm the King of New York". It was at this point, that my roommates told me that Hailey had heard I was sick and so she had made me a card with some soup. The soup was in our fridge at home, but they brought me the card and it was super cute!! Thank you Hailey!!! You almost made me cry, no joke! I think I was conscious through my conversations with everybody...but for some reason I don't remember any concrete details. Steve and Cameron offered to give me another priesthood blessing since this whole 'surgery' thing was happening, but didn't have any oil. Honestly, where in the world will your nurse immediately jump up saying "Oh we have some here!" and run to grab some consecrated oil that the hospital keep on hand? Pretty much Utah Valley and Rexburg. It was a huge blessing though. Steve and Cameron gave me a blessing. Steph and Hannah left with that group to go home and pack me an overnight bag.
All that socialization was quite exhausting, so I dozed off until the surgeon came in with paperwork and explained how it all was going to work. He said it was going to be done laproscopically (no idea how to spell that) and gave me a whole bunch of details that I don't remember. One of things he DID specifically warn me about is that because he was going to have to run a tube down my throat once I was asleep, I would probably wake up with a voice that's really scratchy and hoarse, and that it would probably feel like I had a sore throat. The idea of having a tube down my throat really freaks me out...but I was asleep so it didn't really bug me.
After he left, the anesthesiologist came in with some paperwork to sign as he explained what to expect from that process. I don't remember too much of that conversation...but I know he had a Batman hat. Random, right? After he left, I slept again. Then a lady came in with the actual anesthesia. There were 3 different types of anesthesia they were going to use and she warned me that one of them was going to act as amnesia so I wasn't going to remember much. She wasn't kidding! I remember her saying that the last 1 (the "good stuff") she was going to hold off on running through my IV until she could see the surgeon prepping the OR for me. I was the only one schedule for surgery last night, so I was pretty quick to be taken into the OR. I remember her saying that they were ready for me and giving me the last dosage through my IV...and that's all I remember.
Waking up is a bit of a blur. My first conscious memory is that everything was blurry. I knew that was weird because I had my contacts in before I had fallen asleep, but I wasn't awake enough to question it. I was on a bed being wheeled somewhere. I vaguely remember an elevator. I knew I was being taken to a different patients' room because I somehow realized we were going to a different part of the hospital. Inside this new room, I saw Hannah and Steph and our wonderful neighbor Cortney waiting for me.
Everything I remember about these next few conversations are all because of things Hannah and Step have told me. I asked about my contacts--and the nurse told me that they had gotten me to take them out. Somehow I found my glasses on my face (according to Hannah and Steph that's because Hannah literally put them on my face). I was freezing cold, so I was wrapped in about a million blankets. The nurses kept trying to tell me something about drug information but I was literally falling asleep as she was talking. Again, good thing that Steph, Hannah, and Cortney were there. I don't think anything crucial was said...but I don't remember much of anything. At some point in this conversation, I remember the nurse trying to show me a picture of my appendix...but I don't remember what it looks like.... I'll have to ask to see that picture when I go back for my consultation in a few weeks.
I realized that I was in a completely different bed than the one I had started in. My first bed had been super narrow and short, but this one seemed enormous and luxurious by comparison. I have no idea how I got into a completely different bed... I still think that's weird. I thanked Steph and Hannah for bringing me my bag, and told them they could go home. I knew I was just going to sleep and there was no reason they needed to stay with me overnight. After they left, I slept for about an hour or so. The nurses had these compression pads on both of my legs. They were Velcro-ed around my calves and lower thighs. They would compress and squeeze my legs, before inflating with air and releasing them. They were to prevent blood clots or something...but all I know is that it was like getting a leg massage all night. That part was pretty nice.
I slept for about an hour. When I woke up, I was only awake for a few minutes before our Relief Society president, one of her counselors, and this guy were there to visit me. They checked in on me and asked how everything was going. I don't remember quite what we talked about, but I remember that I was at least able to respond to them... When they left, my nurse came in and told me she was going to be in checking my vitals every hour. At this point, I was pretty awake since I had been sleeping pretty constantly for the past few hours. I turned on the TV and found "The Blindside" on, so I started watching that. At around 10 or so, my nurse came in to check on me and I asked if I could get anything to eat... She brought me some tomato soup, toast, and crackers with some apple juice. It was like manna from heaven. It was SO GOOD!
I fell asleep relatively quickly after that dinner. The nurse would come in and check my blood pressure and temperature every hour until about 1 am. Then at 1 am, she told me that she was now going to only come in every 4 hours. So at about 5 am she came in to check on me. I told her that I had gotten a little pinch in the nerves right where my appendix was, so she gave me a few pills. I was lucid enough to realize that 5 am is about the time that my dear Stephanie likes to go to the gym and running. Thinking that I was WAY more sober than I really was, I decided it would be a good idea to text her: "Wake-y Wake-y! Eggs and bake-y! Don't forget to go run today so you don't get FATTTTTTTTTTTTT!" She's given me quite the hard time about that...
I fell asleep until about 7 am until the hospital changed shifts and a new nurse came in. Her name was Cassie (no idea why I remember her name). She took out my IV and bandaged up my arm. She told me that she'd be in with breakfast in about an hour or so. I fell back asleep until a nurse came back with a tray with very light breakfast (aka a jello cup). This nurse looked at the notes next to my bed and realized that I was eating big kid food, so she took the jello cup back and came back with this intense platter of toast, bacon, and eggs. It was quite delicious. I finished eating and dozed off a bit more until Cassie came back and told me the doctor wanted me to go for a walk around the floor to make sure I was stable enough to go home. She took away my breakfast tray and I set around on this walk on the second floor.
By the time I came back, the surgeon was back to check on my stitches (still covered by gauze and bandages) and give me some final instructions. He gave me a note excusing me for 3 days of class and warned me not to get the stitches wet or lift anything heavy. When he left, I crawled back into bed and slept until lunch came in around noon (beef stew, corn, pineapple, and wheat bread w/ butter). Cassie gave me another dosage of pills and I watched Mythbusters until my dear sweet roommates showed up.
At about 12:30 this afternoon Steph, Hannah, Caity, and Malia came to rescue me. I got dressed and was wheeled out to the car (thank you SOO much Cody!) in a wheelchair. Hannah drove me over to Walgreens' so I could pick up my prescription. I thought I was doing pretty well at handling my painkillers until I realized I wasn't really walking in a straight line out of Walgreens'. Steph helped me back to the car. Caity helped me into the house and made me a bed on our couch. I was planning on going into my room onto my bed but our beds are high enough that climbing onto that would NOT be comfortable.
Hailey and Melanie stopped by with some flowers shortly after I got home and talked with me for a bit. The flowers are GORGEOUS and are in a vase on our coffee table right now. Hailey let me borrow the movie "Letters to Juilet" and I had never seen it before so Steph and I decided to watch it. I passed out before we were like 10 minutes into the movie. But I have plenty of time to watch it later this week. My visiting teachers stopped by with some apple juice, soup, and pudding. I felt like I needed to get out of the house so I went to FHE with my roommates. We have a fun group :) And I actually stayed awake the whole time!!! When I came back, I curled up on the couch and my sweet friend Beth dropped by with some homemade bread. Soon after she left, the compassionate service leader for the ward stopped by with some ice cream and chocolate chip cookies from the elder's quorum president. I've had Aaron (provider of the Club Soda) and Ben (Aaron's roommate and my old FHE brothers) stop by to check in on me earlier this afternoon. Matt (my driver to the hospital) stopped by literally minutes ago to check in on me. I'm sure I've forgotten people... I've had cousins, aunts, and kids from my stake back in California who are up here at school offering to help me out. I have been SO blessed!
I was able to send emails to all of my professors explaining my situation and all have been very gracious and flexible about giving me the week to recover and willing to work with me when I get back to class next week. Such a blessing. I've had several family members offer to come stay with me or pick me up and take me back to their spare bedroom to recover. I had our ward Elder's Quorum president text me last night and ask if I needed a blessing. My mentors at the Reading Center were INCREDIBLY flexible when it came to giving me the week off of work to recover. The girls in my group for one of my Special Ed classes were really gracious about me missing our group project later this week. The family I babysit for were all very sweet to give me the week off (thank you Kierra!).
All in all, I have been SO blessed with such amazing support! I have had so many people ask what they can do to help. I have just been overwhelmed with love and support. You guys are all so great :) I'm doing really well right now. Right now I am just tired and sore, which is to be expected. But all things considered, I feel pretty dang great.
I don't remember this, but apparently according to Steph and Hannah the doctors were saying that my appendix was pretty close to rupturing and that they were lucky they operated when they did. I think it's a pretty big tender mercy that I DON'T remember that conversation...because that definitely freaks me out. But I have been blessed and am continuing to be blessed. I have the best roommates, best family, best ward, and best neighbors that a surgery patient could honestly ever ask for. I am one very lucky girl but I am recovering very well :) I may have lost one organ, but it has been more than compensated for with the amount of love I have been shown in the last 24 hours.
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