Well the surgery went fine. They gave me plenty of anti-nausea medication so I wasn't naseous or pukey at all after the surgery, which was great. The surgery was at 8:45 and I was on my way home at about 11:30. I really liked all my nurses. John, my recovery nurse, was especially good. He checked on me every few minutes and kept calling me "bud". I thought it was sweet.
Jon took the whole day off yesterday to stay with me. Mom came up for a while too. She's staying with me all day today because Jon has to work 9-7. She just left to let the dogs out and then will be back.
The pain today is worse just because I don't have all those drugs pumped into me. It's hard to sit up because all of the incisions are in my stomach. But I should be better in a few days. I've never seen Jon smile as much as he has yesterday and this morning. He was taking all this really hard before we knew what it was, especially the point at which they mentioned colon cancer. He felt better once we knew what it was, and once he heard from his boss and other people that we both talked to that it wasn't that big of a deal. But then he looked terrified as they wheeled me out of the room into surgery. He said the only time he's ever been in a hospital was to visit someone who was dying, so he's not a big fan. So needless to say, when we got home yesterday he was very happy and extremely attentive. I feel very blessed that I have him.
Well that's my update for today. I'm hoping to be well enough Saturday or Sunday to have some visitors. And I can't wait to be able to take a shower tomorrow. WOOHOO! Well the vicodin is starting to kick in. I was trying to only take it at night because it makes me really dizzy, but I don't think regular Tylenol is going to cut it today.
Oh, and I also got my admission letter to UWO for spring. I'm excited to be going back to school, and hopefully it will only be 3 semesters including student teaching.
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Friday, October 10, 2008
Thinking out loud...
Sarah, just so ya know...Chipotle=bad idea...but I think we both knew that.
Went shopping at Michael's with Sarah, my friend, You, and Bee. Bought stuff that I didn't need and it felt damn good. I think I'll try to finish off some more save-the-date cards and Christmas cards this afternoon, depending on how far Chipotle gets me...this could all just turn into a nap.
I'm pretty excited for Mass this Sunday. I finally got off my butt and got some people to come sing/play with us. This list is mainly because I'm visual and want to see it more than for your entertainment, but so be it.
Singers - Me, of course, Dave, Mary and Tori
Guitars/Bass - Jon and Nathan
Keys - Nate and hopefully Matt
Drums - Hopefully Mark, and Lucas and maybe Jon on one or two
Sax - Chris
Considering it's been just Nate, Jon and I for over a month, I thought this was a pretty good turn out for this week. We're also doing some awesome tunes. The pre-Mass song is called "Love Is Here" by Tenth Avenue North. To explain why I love this song so much requires the story of my first hearing it. Last month I went to Arizona for a liturgy and music conference for LifeTeen. I learned a ton, but of course my favorite part was the daily music. We started each day with music before we had our break-out sessions, had music during Mass, and ended the night with music. They had some great musicians including Matt Maher, who has become known world-wide for his compositions and concerts for the Catholic church. (www.mattmahermusic.com - to to his website to hear his stuff, or there is also a youtube link below for one of his songs we're doing this weekend.) Audrey Asaad was also there. She's been touring with Matt and you can hear her here: www.myspace.com/audreyasaadsings
Anyway, the second day of the conference was pretty emotional. I went to my first confession in 22 years for one thing. Then we had a session on the Eucharist and the importance of focus on the Eucharist in Mass. Right after this was Mass. The Communion song was "Love is Here" and I think it was the first time I had ever taken Communion while actually thinking about the meaning of it and the sacrifice that it represents. The cool thing was, I wasn't the only one that was moved by this. My friend's Gavin and Benjamin were also moved to tears. Gavin is similar to me, sarcastic, outgoing, loud - so it made me feel a little less of a freak to see her have the same reaction as me. Anyway, that's the story of "Love is Near." You can listen to it here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hGGanAZ2IwM
The next song we're doing was my absolute favorite from the conference. I think I heard it 3 different times from different groups and I've been wanting to do it since then. I've been going a little nuts between the priest and the liturgist, because the priest wants more upbeat, teen-oriented things but the liturgist wants to make sure that ALL the Communion and gathering songs are songs the congregation already knows. I can see her point, but at the same time, I hate being limited to introducing new songs only during Prep and recessional. ARGH! Anyway, I'm doing Hosanna for Prep since it's new and God knows the congregation would throw rotten fruit at me if I sang it for communion. Anyway, here it is:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AQGJdTpMUcU
The last song I'm excited about is "Your Grace Is Enough" by Matt Maher. We've done it for the pre-Mass song the past two weeks, but this will be the first time the congregation will be in on it. Plus, I'm excited to do it with a bigger group.
Ok, this is long enough. I believe my gall bladder is trying to eat its way out of my body. Nap, and then maybe some cards. Oh, and if you haven't read today's cakewrecks post, go do it now. it's hilarious!
Went shopping at Michael's with Sarah, my friend, You, and Bee. Bought stuff that I didn't need and it felt damn good. I think I'll try to finish off some more save-the-date cards and Christmas cards this afternoon, depending on how far Chipotle gets me...this could all just turn into a nap.
I'm pretty excited for Mass this Sunday. I finally got off my butt and got some people to come sing/play with us. This list is mainly because I'm visual and want to see it more than for your entertainment, but so be it.
Singers - Me, of course, Dave, Mary and Tori
Guitars/Bass - Jon and Nathan
Keys - Nate and hopefully Matt
Drums - Hopefully Mark, and Lucas and maybe Jon on one or two
Sax - Chris
Considering it's been just Nate, Jon and I for over a month, I thought this was a pretty good turn out for this week. We're also doing some awesome tunes. The pre-Mass song is called "Love Is Here" by Tenth Avenue North. To explain why I love this song so much requires the story of my first hearing it. Last month I went to Arizona for a liturgy and music conference for LifeTeen. I learned a ton, but of course my favorite part was the daily music. We started each day with music before we had our break-out sessions, had music during Mass, and ended the night with music. They had some great musicians including Matt Maher, who has become known world-wide for his compositions and concerts for the Catholic church. (www.mattmahermusic.com - to to his website to hear his stuff, or there is also a youtube link below for one of his songs we're doing this weekend.) Audrey Asaad was also there. She's been touring with Matt and you can hear her here: www.myspace.com/audreyasaadsings
Anyway, the second day of the conference was pretty emotional. I went to my first confession in 22 years for one thing. Then we had a session on the Eucharist and the importance of focus on the Eucharist in Mass. Right after this was Mass. The Communion song was "Love is Here" and I think it was the first time I had ever taken Communion while actually thinking about the meaning of it and the sacrifice that it represents. The cool thing was, I wasn't the only one that was moved by this. My friend's Gavin and Benjamin were also moved to tears. Gavin is similar to me, sarcastic, outgoing, loud - so it made me feel a little less of a freak to see her have the same reaction as me. Anyway, that's the story of "Love is Near." You can listen to it here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hGGanAZ2IwM
The next song we're doing was my absolute favorite from the conference. I think I heard it 3 different times from different groups and I've been wanting to do it since then. I've been going a little nuts between the priest and the liturgist, because the priest wants more upbeat, teen-oriented things but the liturgist wants to make sure that ALL the Communion and gathering songs are songs the congregation already knows. I can see her point, but at the same time, I hate being limited to introducing new songs only during Prep and recessional. ARGH! Anyway, I'm doing Hosanna for Prep since it's new and God knows the congregation would throw rotten fruit at me if I sang it for communion. Anyway, here it is:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AQGJdTpMUcU
The last song I'm excited about is "Your Grace Is Enough" by Matt Maher. We've done it for the pre-Mass song the past two weeks, but this will be the first time the congregation will be in on it. Plus, I'm excited to do it with a bigger group.
Ok, this is long enough. I believe my gall bladder is trying to eat its way out of my body. Nap, and then maybe some cards. Oh, and if you haven't read today's cakewrecks post, go do it now. it's hilarious!
Recipe for Jennifer
| The Recipe For Jennifer |
 2 parts Attractiveness 1 part Power Splash of Aspiration Finish off with an olive |
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Health update...
Well it's been over a month now that I've been dealing with this burning, nauseous after eating, nauseous for no reason, pain in my side deal with my stomach. At first I was put on Prilosec, which wasn't bad, but didn't take it completely away. As time wore on it got worse and then 2 weeks later I was switched to Zantac, which pretty much did nothing. So finally, yesterday, I was sent in for an ultrasound and it turns out that my gall bladder is enlarged. So now I've been put on a new medication but if that doesn't work I go in for another test on Friday to test the sluggishness of my bile (how gross is that?) and if that comes back positive, out comes the gall bladder. Needless to say, my crappy temp job that I hate has been put on hold for the time being because I feel like crap most of the day. Not to mention, I hate the job, it makes me feel like a telemarketer, and therefore it stresses me out to go. In fact, I think it stresses me out even more than being unemployed. So it's not good for my stomach anyway, right?
Here's the funny thing. Although I was terrified at the prospect of paying for surgery, there is a program through Aurora that will help me with that, so that seems to be taken care of. I'm not really afraid of the surgery itself because it seems to be pretty common and, let's face it, I've gone under the knife enough in my life that I should be a pro. But the person that is not even a little bit comfortable with all this is Jon. The poor guy is scared to death and I don't know what to do for him. He's never had surgery, nor has anyone he's been close to, so he really doesn't know what to expect. I keep reassuring him that I'll be fine, but he just keeps looking at me like he's terrified. I feel so bad for him. We did talk about it last night and a co-worker of his recently had his gall bladder out and is fine. I pointed out that this co-worker is older than me and has other medical issues that complicated things, and he's still fine. I think that made him feel a little better. Either way, I think we'll both be glad when this is all over.
Truth be told, if this current medication doesn't work and I have to have the test on Friday, I hope it's positive. I know that sounds retarded, but if it's negative, then it's basically back to square one and I have to go to a gastrointerologist. Not only is this more money I don't have, but apparently it takes about a month to get into one. Great. I'd kind of just rather have my answer, have them take the damn thing out and be done with it. Wow...crabby much? Ok, that's it. I'm off to fill out paperwork stating how poor I am.
Here's the funny thing. Although I was terrified at the prospect of paying for surgery, there is a program through Aurora that will help me with that, so that seems to be taken care of. I'm not really afraid of the surgery itself because it seems to be pretty common and, let's face it, I've gone under the knife enough in my life that I should be a pro. But the person that is not even a little bit comfortable with all this is Jon. The poor guy is scared to death and I don't know what to do for him. He's never had surgery, nor has anyone he's been close to, so he really doesn't know what to expect. I keep reassuring him that I'll be fine, but he just keeps looking at me like he's terrified. I feel so bad for him. We did talk about it last night and a co-worker of his recently had his gall bladder out and is fine. I pointed out that this co-worker is older than me and has other medical issues that complicated things, and he's still fine. I think that made him feel a little better. Either way, I think we'll both be glad when this is all over.
Truth be told, if this current medication doesn't work and I have to have the test on Friday, I hope it's positive. I know that sounds retarded, but if it's negative, then it's basically back to square one and I have to go to a gastrointerologist. Not only is this more money I don't have, but apparently it takes about a month to get into one. Great. I'd kind of just rather have my answer, have them take the damn thing out and be done with it. Wow...crabby much? Ok, that's it. I'm off to fill out paperwork stating how poor I am.
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