Long winded Fruity Pebbles

Well I feel like as of late I’ve developed a “love” of surgery. I hope those of you who know me well are sensing the sarcasm in my writing. Five weeks ago I had the c-section, which left the smiley scar on my lower abdomen and now I have five smaller scars skipping around on my stomach area. One may have replaced my belly button ring but I will not know until the bandages are removed.

It’s been a crazy roller-coaster of a week. It started off normal and then spiraled from there. By the way if there is any crazy spelling or wording, you can thank my phone. I’m still in the hospital and am blogging for the first time via phone. Spell check seems to have a mind of it’s own and it’s one in the morning so be prepared… Anything could happen!! But I digress.

Thursday I woke up with what I thought was normal postpartum back pain, likely caused by the epi that I received during labor. I’d had the pain before and it had gotten pretty bad on a couple occasions. Sometimes I would throw up it hurt so bad. I figured I was just being a baby and would wait until my next doctors appointment. (Warning the details could be gory and disgusting… You can still turn back).

Thursday started like any other day… Diaper changes, breakfast, seeing Jay off to work… And the attempt to do normal chores as Arabella clung to me. I felt the back pain but shrugged it off and took a couple of extra strength Ibuprofen that the doctor gave me. About ten minutes after Jay left I started to nurse Arabella but the pain started getting worse.

I threw up all over our bed. The pain was horrible but I figured the meds hadn’t kicked in so I put Arabella in her swing (so I could see her) and I tried to run a warm bath so I could relax my muscles. But as soon as I sat down the pain got worse. I crawled out of the bathtub and dragged my body over to my nightstand so I could reach my phone. I called Jay and told him he had to come home but I could hardly get the words out because of the pain. I would say I was at an 8 or a 9.

I could barely move but I couldn’t hold still. I tried desperately to get my clothes on but it hurt to move. I managed my pajama bottoms and a baggy T-shirt. Jay found the closest urgent care and we were on our way. I felt bad having to take Arabella in but it was our only option.

At the urgent care we waited to be called back for a bit. They assessed the situation and then put us in a room. We waited for what felt like forever but it likely wasn’t as long as I thought. But we waited so long that I threw up all over the bed that they had me sitting on. Then I continued to throw up until the doctor arrived. She assessed me again and told me I had to go to the ER. Then she gave me some zofran and asked if I wanted some morphine. I declined.

They asked if we wanted an ambulance to drive is to the hospital… All I saw were dollar signs flashing before my eyes. I told them we would drive there. They recommended that we go to the same hospital that I delivered at because my medical history was already on file.

I kept thinking about Arabella and how she only got a tiny breakfast but she wasn’t complaining. On the way to the ER she fell asleep in her car seat. When we arrived they assessed me again and then put me in a room where I could feed Arabella in somewhat private. She ate for about 15 minutes until she decided to poop all over herself. Thank heavens for back up outfits! Ps nursing while in pain is quite the task.

We were called back and things are kind of a blur. I threw up some more. They gave me more zofran (which appeared useless) and they had me speak with some tummy specialists. They did an ultrasound, a UA, and some blood work. I lost my black flip flops somewhere. We waited a little longer. And then they admitted me.

Thursday evening was full of tests, blood work, and the confirmation that my gallbladder must be removed. Unfortunately some stones had escaped as did an infection so they were a bit concerned and wanted to take care of things ASAP. I refused pain meds so I could feed my baby one more time and pump a couple of times before I went under. They informed me with the anesthesia and narcotics I couldn’t give her my milk. I felt like a horrible mom. I wasn’t prepared 🙁 thus she would have to drink formula for at least a day… Maybe two. They would have me pump and dump until my milk was safe again.

I felt like the worst mom ever. I wanted to exclusively breast feed. I didn’t have that option any more. My poor baby. It felt like a terrible horrible no good very bad day.

That night Jay and my baby girl went home and I stayed in my new room. I balled like a baby that I had to be away from my daughter. I cried and cried and cried. I hated every second of it.

Friday I went into surgery and had my gallbladder taken out. I remember being carted into the room and breathing in the stinky oxygen. I woke up completely out of it. Jay and Arabella were in my room when I came back.

I was still in a lot of pain but I figured that was normal. Then the doctor informed me they may still have to go back in to retrieve the runaway gallstone and clean up the infection. If they didn’t have to go in then I could go home soon. I was to have an MRI that evening but it got bumped to the next day. Everything still hurt. I gained 4 small incisions and disgustingly enough a little drainage bag was hanging from my abdomen. It would later be taken out (which feels weird by the way). I couldn’t get out of bed on my own or get into bed or go to the bathroom or shower. It was an interesting experience to say the least.

Saturday I was given a grape Popsicle, which I was excited about because I hadn’t eaten since Thursday morning… When I had fruity pebbles (that I threw up) {ironic pebbles}. But soon enough my Popsicle would be taken away 🙁 I waited for my MRI. The MRI lasted almost 30 min. Luckily there were some clouds on the ceiling that I could stare at. Next I would learn that I would be having the next procedure.

They put me out again for the second procedure and I woke up even more groggy. Still a lot of pain. But the nursing staff was amazing and tried to salvage any dignity that I might have left.

With practice and medication I was slowly feeling better. But I really wanted to go home. Sunday I was hoping to get to go home but my liver enzymes were high and my belly was a little jaundiced. More blood tests, more UA’s, more meds… And now it’s Monday morning. I’m hoping they let me go home. I know I’ll probably have to sleep on the couch because the bed is too high but at least Jake will come and snuggle me. I think that’s the just of everything. Now I’m just waiting for some tests to come back. Hopefully everything is normal. Except my lost flip flops 🙁 lol

The moral of the story…. When in severe pain go to the doctor even if you think you might be acting like a big baby! Weeks and weeks of severe pain plus a nice long hospital stay isn’t worth it. So many people told me it was likely just pain from my epi… I listened. Luckily I am okay. But I should have just gone to the doctor! Lesson learned. Stupid tax paid.

Well I’m exhausted (now falling asleep as I type) and a little nauseated so I am going to try and get some rest.
TTFN!

Love, Me