I'll give you a little run through of how the weekend to the surgery went -
Saturday 16th June:
Ben had been working a crazy 50 hour week so today was the day to chill and have fun.
We first of all went to Farrs Fresh - http://www.farrsfresh.com/
We discovered this place one hot day, although it's always hot in Utah right now. The first time we went (and we have only been twice including this time) I squelled with delight because they had Pineapple Dole Whip which is one of my favourite treats to have at DisneyWorld and even Fito Menk loves it too so I got excited. This time we went they had Raspberry Dole Whip too which may even be better than the Pineapple in my opinion. So we got a little cup to share since it's kind of pricey and sat outside in the sun and enjoyed a little piece of heaven.
Ben and I had a fun lunch at one of my favourite places to eat, DICKEYS.
http://www.dickeys.com/default.aspx
As soon as you walk in the door you get the best welcome (although I'm sure it's policy) and the I've never had bad food. Today they had a father's day special and Ben ordered it and I goofily said to the guy "I'll have the father's day special too since I'm clearly a father!". He thought it was funny even if Ben thought I was being a big goof! I love the food here, plus you get free pickles and whippy ice cream that you get to make yourself with your food - BONUS!
Then we headed over to "Danber's" (my fabulous in-laws) for a fun afternoon and evening. It involved BBQ, twirling and falling down, ice cream and lots of fun people and conversation. We got back a little late so I headed to bed feeling perfectly fine and happy and HEALTHY! We had had such a good Saturday and I was looking forward to the next day when I was planning a yummy father's day, or good men's day as I'm going to rename it, lunch, church and a day hanging out together. Then 1.45am happened.....
Sunday 17th June:
1.45am - I woke up with crazy stomach pains right in the middle of my tummy button and spreading out. I immediately thought I had an upset stomach because I really had over induldged and was worried it might be something to do with that. I got up and went into the living room and tried to get comfy and watch tv but the pain was crazy and I felt so so sick. I wasn't so worried about the sickness because even thought I can feel sick I haven't actually thrown up for about 9 years. Then panic struck when I threw up...nice! Well the pain didn't go away all night and I got to watch all the rubbish that night time TV produces. I just wanted the pain to go away and I was soooo tired. No luck there. I guess for the next 36 hours the pain moved to my side, I still felt sick and I wasn't feeling any better and didn't get any more sleep.
I was worried and did what everyone would do and google my symptoms. The only thing that I had every symptom to was APPENDICITIS. Really?? I dismissed this the whole of Sunday and was worried about going to the ER just in case. I didn't want surgery! Ben said if it wasn't better by Monday I had to go and I even called my Dad on Monday for confirmation too. Sometimes you need a parent's opinion.
So me being me and rather than ask for help told Ben to go to work and I would just figure it out. After speaking with my Dad and calling my insurance company I decided I would head to the ER just to be checked out but first I would run the errands I needed to do first which involved walking downtown to the IRS to pick up something for Ben, then getting on the BUS to go to the ER and then walking about 1/2 mile from the bus stop to the ER while being in pain. Now I think about it I was crazy and could have picked up the phone and called someone to help! Sometimes I'm too independent. ;-) Here is where my experience of healthcare changed:
I walked into the ER at Utah Valley Hospital and it was EMPTY! I've never been in an empty ER in the UK...EVER!!! I was checked in and normally I would wait about an hour to be triaged but here I went straight from the reception desk to the triage room where a great nurse took all my details and assessed me. Once he was done I thought I would have to maybe wait to get a little cubicle and see a Doctor. Nope.... I was taken straight through to a private room (what in an ER?!?!) and a Doctor was practically waiting for me. Within about 3 minutes he felt it was appendicitis and ordered up a CT Scan, Bloods and pain relief. Wow - I was seen and started treatment within 10 minutes of arriving. I had two nurses and a tech looking after me in the ER and I couldn't fault their treatment and I was relitively pain free thanks to the pain medication - the good stuff! After a CT Scan which happened within an hour of me being there and after experiencing fake "peeing yourself" because of the contrast they give you it was confirmed I had appendicitis and I would be having surgery. Because of the pain relief I burst out laughing and Ben looked worried. I guess you would be worried in your wife of 7 weeks was about to have surgery! I was glad he was there. I even made him take a picture for posterity sakes!! I look terrible for no sleep for 2 nights but happy because of the pain medication! haha
I was wheeled to surgery about 2 hours later but I was told it would have been quicker but the surgeon was at another hospital doing a surgery. I was still taken back with how quick everything was happening and just very grateful for everything and for getting to the ER in one piece. I remember having a chat with the hilariously funny anaesthesiologist who kept telling me I was about to be given the "good stuff" and she would make sure my cocktail would be always topped up. Then she talked about her sister who served a mission in Bristol before the missions were merged. There is something interesting about being surrounded by LDS doctors and nurses talking about cocktails and drugs and missions! Then I don't remember much else apart from being told by one of the nurses that the drug I was about to get would make me feel drunk . I'm glad I don't drink - that was not a nice feeling!!
I was brought to my room sore and very disorientated about 6 hours from the time I walked into the ER. I was hooked upto monitors, IV and had a fun "up and down bed" which I didn't appreciate since I was too scared to move anyway. I was told I was on a liquid only diet and a person from "ROOM SERVICE" arrived with a liquid only diet menu. I thought I was really confused at this point. Now I've spent lots of time in hospital in my teens and a liquid only diet would be water and clear (dishwater) soup. Here it is any soda, jelly, 3 different types of soup and italian ice. I didn't want to eat anything but Ben ordered Jelly, Italian Ice and a Sprite. We even had to call room service to order it - it's crazy! I remember Ben feeding me Jelly and nearly choking because of the breathing tube that had been down my throat during surgery. So needless to say I stuck to a few sips of sprite and Ben ate the rest... with my blessing of course!! The rest of the night kind of blurred between the Bacholorette being on and me trying to stay awake to watch it, nurses and techs coming in and checking my obs and praying hard that I would stop hurting.
The next day the surgeon came to see me and I was discharged by 11am - within 24 hours of my arriving. Not before another room service guy came with a new menu that read like a restaurant. I had to take a picture because I'm not sure my UK family and friends would believe that's what you get in hospital.
The surgeon also gave me pictures of the surgery but I think I'll spare you the graphic details!
The next 10 days were a mixture of pain, being uncomfortable and probably rushing things by cleaning the apartment and cooking because I couldn't stand it any longer!
I'm now much more comfortable with not so much pain any longer. I really have been blessed with the circumstances that led up to the surgery and some other details which I am continually grateful for. I'm grateful for new family that have reached out to me to help and I really appreciated that. I missed my family and friends in the UK but felt their love and support. I'm grateful for the US health system for their efficiency and resources and staff BUT I know that it comes with a price tag which the UK health system doesn't always have. Both have their benefits and I'm grateful when I have needed it the UK and the US health systems have been there.
So now I'm back to nearly normal again and will continue with my normal blogging and recipes with hopefully no more surgeries or hospital visits.
Sorry for it being so long but I guess this is kind of doubling like an online journal too!
Recipes to follow soon....
PS: Remember my sausage roll craving well I finally found puff pastry and make them yesterday....yummmmmm
No comments:
Post a Comment