Post-op update

10/22/14

I would like to start out by saying if you can't follow my train of thought it's because I am only 48 hours out from surgery. Monday afternoon I went in for a tubal ligation procedure. For those who don't know what that is it's basically "tying my tubes" so I will not be able to reproduce naturally. I am still able to have children but it would be one huge scientific experiment to do so. The surgery went well and I signed a consent form to remove anything that has abnormalities on it. My surgeon found a huge cyst that is about to rupture on my right ovary (the ovary that I hate and it hates me) but the surgeon was concerned with infection because I just had surgery last week and removing it would mean additional incisions. So along with the normal surgery pain I've been dealing with the pain of having a cyst rupture.

I only have one incision and that is in my belly button and the bleeding finally stopped. I looked down Monday night and it looked like I got shot because there was a round spot of blood on my shirt.  I was expecting stomach pain but not expecting the shoulder and rib pain from them pumping my stomach full of air. As the days progress my pain levels are decreasing along with the size of my swollen air filled belly. (I looked pregnant tuesday).

There is one thing about this surgery that stood out. And by thing I mean person. Brittany B. This woman is the most amazing person and friend I could ask for. She took the initiative to get my moms cell phone number (from either my brother or colt) and text her all through out my surgery and after to see how everything was going and not to mention all the kind things she said about me. I have only known her for a year, but I couldn't be closer and love this girl to death. It's friends like this that help me get through these hard times. It's like the saying if you can't handle me at my worst you can't have me at my best or something like that and she has been though it all. 

I would like to thank all of those who have supported my decision even though if you didn't I would still have done it anyway. 

Anyways I go back to the surgeon in 2 weeks, but until then I will be taking it easy for once in my life. Hopefully it was a success. 

We all have a lot on our plate.

13 October 2014


Many people with MHE have a lot of stress and anxiety issues, more-so than the normal population. I am pleased to announce that I am one of the few not affected by this. I do however have some stress when it comes to being a college student. This stress usually comes around mid-terms which is this coming up week. I have to get some things off of my mind so I can continue to focus on studying for midterms and completing all the assignments due next week.


First, we all (meaning all of us college students) have things we have to do. We all have a busy class schedule, some of us have jobs, some of us have homes we have to maintain and bills we have to pay. We all do our community service, maintain a personal life, and go out and have fun. Now on top of all that stuff I get the privilege of constantly visiting the doctors and taking time out of my week to have surgery.


With all this being said, I am doing a group project. I do not need to hear your excuses of why you can not meet to do the group project and why 2 days after we were supposed to meet why you still do not have your part of the project done. I just need you to do your shit in a timely manor and stop being inconsiderate of those around you. (This goes out to my roommate, Levi, too. Get off your lazy ass and clean up your mess and contribute to the house hold. I am not your mom and I do not like to live in a filthy environment. So when you get drunk and decide to cook at 4am clean up your mess.)


Many of you think this may be extremely passive aggressive but if you know me, you will know that I have already sent multiple text messages to all of these people. I have gotten two responses back saying they will be at school to do their part (I have been here all day and they haven't shown up yet) and one response with an email back with their work (Thank you Colt Terhune).


The lab report has been assigned for two weeks and it's due tomorrow! What am I going to do? I will tell you what I am going to do/ what I have already did. Twelve pages later, I have finished the report doing two of the sections that others were supposed to do along with my section in addition to adding Colt's section to the group. I have left off two of the names of the people from our group but acknowledged that they were there to collect data. I will turn it in as is tomorrow. Now that I am done ranting, my stress level has gone from a 7 to a 4.


Thanks for reading!

Retail therapy

10/5/2014

So after every surgery I have to do therapy. Most people think about physical or occupational therapy (which I do those things) but I think about retail therapy. What is retail therapy and how does it improve my health? Let me tell you. It is shopping and shopping makes me happy (more so when I am using other people's money.) Right after surgery no one feels like shopping. Maybe on line shopping but actually going to the store, it's not happening. Standing for a long time hurts, trying on clothes is energy consuming, and carrying all those bags is a work out. Shopping also lets you know just how well that surgery worked. If it is arm surgery, trying on clothes especially with  lots of buttons tests your fine motor movements. Zipping dresses tests range of motion. If it is leg surgery, trying on jeans tests your balance and trying on shoes lets you know how well you can or can not walk. 

Yesterday, I had the best retail therapy experience. It was for my knee surgery and I actually used my own money. I walk into the store and they girl comes up and asks me if I need help. My answer, "yes yes I do. I am looking for a jacket." She then takes me all around the store showing me all the options and pulling sizes. Then starts a dressing room for me  (and even spelled my name correctly on the door.) I then browse the rest of the store. Picking out several shirts and jeans. I begin to try on all the clothes. I then get to the jackets. I went from 4 styles down to 2. Then I ask to try on different sizes in those 2 jackets to see what they would look like. The decision to pick a jacket and a size was difficult but I wasn't alone in the decision making. The store attendant along with a few random shoppers gave me their opinions. I took all into consideration and finally picked a size in each jacket. I decided that I can't narrow down the jackets to one so I bought both along with the perfect pair of jeans and some boots. It was a glorious day and my knee feels better.