What Are The Odds

Whew! What a crazy few weeks it has been! Let’s jump right in!

So, as most of you know, I have been battling diverticulitis since last year. My diagnosis was sudden and aggressive. The decision was made to have my colon removed. It was supposed to have been a three hour surgery with a three-four day hospital stay. Well that turned into a 5 hour surgery with a two week hospital stay.

After surgery, I just wasn’t recovering the way the doctors expected me to. The pain just would not stop. They ran test after test and lab after lab. Everything “looked” ok. They sent me home. I got home and the pain was excruciating! But I didn’t have the pain meds they were giving me in the hospital because the pharmacy needed a pre-authorization. So, guess what happened next; I began having withdrawals from the oxycodine they were giving me. It was one of the scariest things I’ve ever experienced in my life. The sweats, the tremors, the chills, and the itching made me never want to take a narcotic again! (It’s also why I never judge people with chemical dependencies because you just never know). When the pain became intolerable, my mom called the ambulance and I ended up right back in the hospital.

Again, test after test and lab after lab. I kept telling them it felt like something was stuck in my chest. I had gotten so weak, that I literally couldn’t move on my own. It hurt to breathe. The next night, the pain was so bad, in my mind, I was begging for God to take me home. My mom just held me while the nurse frantically gave me everything she could. Finally, I began to vomit but it was nothing but bile. They ran one more test. It revealed that for whatever reason, my gallbladder had stopped working. They also found that bile had built up in my upper digestive track. Finally, some answers!!!

I thought at this point, I was going home. But I still couldn’t tolerate food. My doctor then discovered that dietary had been giving me the wrong menu, which was making matters worse with my gallbladder. I cannot make this up! So, finally, I was able to digest bits and pieces of food, which meant I could come home!

Now, I do have to have my gallbladder removed soon but I’m grateful to be sleeping in my own bed for now.

This has been an experience, to say the least! But I’m extremely grateful for those that called, texted, and sent well wishes. I am forever grateful for those that not only checked on me but fed and checked on my mom. And to my mom…I can never say thank you enough. This lady, while scared and tired, found strength to feed me, bathe me, massage my achy skin, and more. And thank you to the Mercy nursing staff!! When I say top tier service…those nurses advocated for me, kept my company, and made my stay as comfortable as possible.

Things will look a little different for me. But I’m grateful and excited for what lies ahead. My future is great because I serve a great God!!!

Be blessed!