What I Wish I'd Known Before Having My Gallbladder Removed

I am 2 months post-op today.
I'm finally starting to feel "normal" again but I still have quite a bit of pain lifting or straining my abdomen.
Here are some things I'd wish I'd known about recovery from this surgery:
- I would wear elastic band waist pants for 4 weeks. 3 of my 4 incisions are right on my waist where I wear my pants. The first time I wore jeans was week 5 (Thanksgiving). I should've bought more nicer swear pants/joggers so I had more than 1 pant option to wear in public.
- I would take the daily maximum allowed dosage of ibuprofen for 7 weeks. I have only stopped taking ibuprofen in week 8. Happily, I don't need it any more but 7 weeks is a long time. I hope my stomach is okay (fingers crossed).
- I would have a BM every time I went to the bathroom (still is the case so we'll see how long this lasts).
- I would need to go back to work slowly. I started back to work full 8 hour days only a week post-op and that was my mistake. Here is my advice for next time: when you think you're ready to go back to work, take one more day off, and then go back half day to test the waters. I was out of PTO so I had to go back before I was ready and I really regret it. I think I could've recovered better/sooner if I had given myself the time, regardless of PTO.
- I would fall in love with ice packs. The hospital sent me home with the best ice pack that I kept reusing. I took it to work for the first week back. I used it almost every night when I got home from work week 2-4. I'm actually using it right now (hurt myself pretty good yesterday moving some boxes to the new house). I love this ice pack and would not have survived without it.
- I would have muscle spasms in my abdomen, like Charlie Horses that take my breath away. They would only last a few seconds but then I would ache for hours.
I'm sure there are more things I wish I would've known but these top the list.
I'm glad I had the surgery but any surgery is a big, life changing deal. Even if a gallbladder removal is typically an easy one to recover from, recovery is hard and everyone recovers differently. I was comparing myself to the stories I read online with people running 10 days later or having zero pain. My story is different from theirs and will be different from anyone reading this little blog post.
If you're having surgery soon or just had one, give yourself time. Our bodies are amazing if we let them do their job and heal.

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4 Weeks Post-Op

It has been 4 weeks since my surgery. I am still in a lot of pain but each day gets a little better. 

I was finally able to wear jeans for the first time yesterday. I missed my elastic band pants. The waistband of the jeans got caught on my steri-strips in my belly button and actually pulled them off when I went the restroom. OUCH!! It was like ripping off a bandaid times 10. 

I still take the max allowed 200 mg ibuprofen tablet each day. I have a hard time bending over, and I cannot lift heavy things. 

This has been a challenge in so many ways but even more so now we are renovating our house. I feel useless so I just sweep, vacuum, and take pictures. I tried to help move the formica counter tops and that was a really bad idea. It is really hard not to over do it.  

My family keeps telling me, "it's okay, pace yourself" but I feel like a lazy bum while they are all sweating and working hard. 

I know this surgery was the best thing for my health in the long-run but I am so tired of being in pain all. the. time.  The outside is healing, I just need to be patient with my inside healing. 

Cat is out of the bag...

We bought a house!! 

Halloween 2016

I dressed up as Tuesday Addams, Wednesday Addams' blonde cousin.

1 Week Post-Op

I had surgery 1 week ago. 

My recovered has been interesting. Highs and lows in surprising places. 

Day 1. I don't have much memory of surgery day but I remember Lesley got me a chocolate shake from Chick-Fil-A and it was amazing!

Day 2 was pretty great. I felt good. I had very little pain and was happy to have visitors throughout the day. My sister brought me a strawberry banana smoothie that was the delicious. 

Day 3 post-op was the lowest of lows. I woke up super nauseated and vomited most of the morning which really hurt my incisions, especially my belly button. I could hardly eat anything all day until my grandma brought me magic rice pudding and I ate all of it which really helped. My mom came and watched TV with me and helped me shower. I was too scared to change my bandages because they were bleeding and I was afraid I would split open. I ended up doing it myself later in the day when I wasn't so shaky. 

Day 4 I was back up to the high of day 2 and felt good. TMI but I finally pooped after using lots of stool softeners. (I'm still taking the stool softeners and it's day 8)

Day 5 I started to taper off the pain meds and transition more to ibuprofen. It was tough but okay. I was really happy to have my twin back (she had left on day 2 to go to LA for a few days). 

Day 6 was tough. It was Sunday and I knew I had to go back to work the next day. I tried not to take any opioids and only ibuprofen- that did not go well. I ended up taking a Percocet after dinner so I could sleep. I did put real clothes on and went to my grandma's house for dinner so that was a big step; first time leaving the apartment. I didn't realize most of my incisions are right around my waist line, where I like to wear my pants. Bring on the joggers/fancy sweat pants! Jeans are out of the question for right now. My incisions were still tender and 2 were still oozing. 

Day 7- back to work! The day started out okay but I was in tears after 8 hours of work and only took Tylenol and ibuprofen. I should have practiced sitting up in a desk chair throughout the week but I only laid on the couch or in my bed with a few time of sitting at a table to eat. I feel so much better when I lay down! I took my last Percocet to sleep and had a good nights sleep. 

Day 8- I am back to work but plan to take more breaks. All of my incisions have stopped oozing and I am going band aid free (the adhesive was starting to give me a rash). I still have an ice pack which helps with my incision pain. My side and belly button hurt the worst of the 4. I did not plan on ice packs in my pre-op preparation but I am so glad to have them. They are wonderful!!

I have a follow-up appointment with the surgeon tomorrow. 

Incisions

The nurse blew my veins trying to get IV in. It's okay but looks pretty bad.
> I have 4 incisions and they are tender and painful.
> They also filled my abdomen full of air so I'm super bloated.
> Good news is I don't have nausea and my should pain is gone!!
>

Pre-Op Video

Gallbladder Removal Surgery

I had my gallbladder removed today via laparoscopic surgery at IMC (Intermountain Medical Center). I'm in a fair amount of pain and on pain killers so I'll write more later.
I'm so glad it was out patient so I'm already home.

Our Day Park Hopping from Disneyland to California Adventure

Butter Beer at Hogsmead

Our Day at Universal Studios

Our Day in Hollywood, Part 5

After we left to observatory, it was time to check in to our hotel, the Hilton at Universal.
We have a great, clean, updated room with lots of space. The lobby had real flowers arranged in large displays.
We then went Universal City Walk for dinner. It's cold here at night! Then we headed back for an early bed time.
Going to see Harry Potter tomorrow!!!

Our Day in Hollywood, Part 4

As I said in my cupcake taste test post, we went up to the Griffith Observatory to eat our cupcakes. The view of the Hollywood sign and the towering skyscrapers of downtown Los Angeles was spectacular.
We walked all around the observatory and saw all of the exhibits. Space is amazing!!!! I'm sad I didn't appreciate all my of science classes in school because our planet, our solar system, our universe is breathtaking and mind blowing. It makes me feel so small and yet so lucky. Lucky to be born on this planet. Lucky to be born in this family. Lucky I get to travel and see these kind of places. Lucky we get to learn new things every day.

Our Day in Hollywood, Part 3 Cupcake Taste Test

While at The Grove, they had a Sprinkles Cupcake so I decided we would do a taste test of chocolate cake with white icing between Sprinkles and Susie Cakes.
I had seen a BuzzFeed Ladylike cupcake taste tear and they said Susie Cakes was best and since Susie Cakes is just a few block away from The Grove I had to try it out.
We purchased two cupcakes at each bakery, the black and white, and something different.
At Sprinkles, we got a vegan red velvet, and at Susie Cakes get got a lemon cupcake.
We took our cupcakes to the Griffith Observatory and sat at a picnic table overlooking the famous Hollywood sign.

Our Review of Black & White Cupcakes
Susie Cakes:
The cupcake frosting was still soft, like it had just been frosted with a light dusting of disk sprinkles. It made it a little hard to get out of the box but also didn't feel stale or old; it was fresh. The cake tasted like chocolate but not too rich. The frosting was creamy vanilla and was a good frosting to cake ratio. The cake was moist and tender, but it started to fall a part after 2-3 bites.
In my mind, this is what you expect homemade, from a cake mix, cupcake to taste like and I loved it!!!!
Sprinkles:
These cupcakes looked professional. The frosting had a slight crust so you didn't get sticky getting the cupcake out of the box. There were chocolate shavings decorating the top. The cake was firm but not dry and had a rich chocolate flavor, almost like dark chocolate. Good ratio of frosting to cake and the cake did not fall a part as we ate it.
Lesley loved this cupcake.

Results: we are split. I preferred Susie Cakes and Lesley preferred Sprinkles. The prices are comparable (between $3.50 and $3.75) and I would gladly order dozens of both cupcakes.

As for the lemon and vegan red velvet. Both were amazingly delicious and I am already craving another one! I am not vegan but I had heard the Sprinkles Vegan Red Velvet was even better than regular Red Velvet. The Vegan was made with coconut oil and it made the cupcake moist and rich. It may have been one of the best cupcakes I had ever eaten.

Our Day in Hollywood, Part 2

We went to The Grove and the attached Farmer's Market for lunch.

Our Day in Hollywood, Part 1

We arrived at LAX at 6:25 AM so we had all day to explore Hollywood, California.
We first went to breakfast at Dialog which was delicious (thank you Internet!).
Then we drove to Hollywood & Highland and explored the Dolby Theater lobby, the Chinese Theater with the star's hand prints in cement. I was surprised about how many "famous" people I've never heard of. The theater plaza closed early as they needed to set up for a movie premier, Mother's Day with Julia Roberts and Jennifer Aniston.
We walked up and down Hollywood Boulevard and saw stars on the Walk of Fame. Again, a lot of people I have never heard of. Lesley said it is interesting that you may be immortalized in stone but it really doesn't mean anything if you aren't remembered.
On to part 2 at The Grove!!

Rally

The first time we have actually presidential primary rallies in Utah over 1 weekend and I get the flu. Grrrrr...
I wanted to go to as many as I could but I'm too sick. I was hoping to hear Bernie Sander speak and Ted Cruz.
I don't not agree with Bernie Sanders but I wanted to keep an open mind and "feel the Bern" but his rally was being held during the work day. Luckily (wink) I got pretty sick and work and had to go home to throw up (gross). I got to hear some of his speech streaming on the radio. The things he says are great but how are we supposed to pay for them when we are already in so much debt?! Tax the middle class; people like me who work hard for our money but because I don't have a house or children I have no tax ride-offs.
I think I'll probably vote for Ted Cruz on Tuesday (yay for online voting!!) but I'm still not sure exactly how he can/will accomplish the things he proposes especially as he a Constitutionalist. You cannot repeal ACA (aka Obamacare). It is already in effect and you cannot take away a government program once it is in effect (I'm looking at you Medicare and Social Security). Also, illegal immigration is not the problem; the problem is legal immigration. We need to make it easier to come to this country lawfully.
Ok- political rant over.
Gonna go take some medicine and cuddle up with my cats.

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St. George Weekend

We went to St. George this weekend to attend the blessing of my dear friend's baby boy.
It was snowing in SLC when we left Saturday morning but the snow was gone by Provo.
We got to Dixie around 1, saw my friend's adore house near the temple and met her 2 month old son. He is a charmer for sure! Then we all went to lunch at Tiki Island and had yummy rice noodle bowls.
Then we checked in to our hotel, the fab Abbey Inn on Bluff Street. I was so impressed with our hotel. They had polite workers at the front desk, clean rooms, comfy beds, and Bath and Body Works products in the bathroom. Plus we had a full complimentary breakfast with a waffle bar and omelette station.
We spend the morning walking around the St. George LDS temple and the Brigham Young Winter Home. St. George is charming and lovely!
We then went to my friend's parent's ward for the blessing of the baby and to hear her brother's homecoming report. (Funny story, we went to this same brother's farewell 2 years ago in SLC!!).
We need to hit the road soon as a winter storm was rolling in so we made a quick stop at her parent's house for pictures and a luncheon.
Yes, I cried when we said goodbye because I'm a softy that hates leaving the ones I love.
We then had a 7 hour white-knuckle drive home.
I would do it all over again in a heartbeat!!!!

TDaP

After 16 and a half years, I finally got my tetanus vaccine. That makes for 2 shots since October 2015. What is happening to me?! Am I not as terrified of needles as I thought it is my maturity outweighing my fears?
The last time I had a tetanus shot was May 1999 before we went to Peru for the first time. We were at the Stake Center going through trip orientation and a nurse came in to administer the injections. I was in the back row having a full on tantrum where I was yelling, screaming, kicking my arms and legs. My mother had to sit on top of me while my 3 sisters held down my arms and legs. It was awful.
This time, I went to the pharmacy with Lesley and my brother administered the injection. It wasn't bad but burned more than the flu shot he gave me in October. I did need Lesley to hold my hand as I would've preferred to run away.
I got the shot about 5 hours ago and my arm is really staring to be sore and tender. Just texting in bed is making my arm hurt. We shall see what the next few days bring.
See ya in 10 years, TDaP!!

Ps: TDaP is the name of the tetanus vaccine and it also includes other vaccines like Whooping Cough AKA Pertussis. Hooray for immunity!!

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Birthday Ballon Ninjas

Today my nephew Aaron turned 9 years old.
Instead of a present, I wanted to give him a surprise.
While he was at his birthday party, Lesley and I snuck into his house and filled his room with 50 red balloons and a big gold mylar number 9.
Aaron's sister Ashley video recorded his reaction and the confused, surprised smile on his face was priceless!!
Happy Birthday Aaron!!! Aunties love you so much!!

Team Valie

It's competition cheer season for the Dawsons. This is the third year my niece Valerie has been with a cheer gym and I am so blown away by her skills and talent. This girl works hard!!
You see that picture below, Val lifts and stunts a 90 pound girl ALL BY HERSELF. She is awesome!!!
Go Valie!!!! Team Valie!!!

Fit Fun Friday

Today was Fit Fun Friday at VRx. They had Wii U games in the conference room and Just Dance on XBox Kinnect (sp?) in the break room.
My supervisor all let us take an hour off the phones so we could play. Yay!!
My game of choice is Just Dance. I don't know how or why but I am surprisingly good at Just Dance. My sister got the game several years ago on her first Wii. I remember playing it at the cabin and having so much fun. Then last February, VRx had a game tournament and I won the Just Dance category- yay!!!!!
Today was not a competition but I won every dance/game. (Defending my title like a champ). It was so so so much fun to dance and play with my coworkers.
The not so fun part was being hot and sweaty at my desk after the awesome hour of fun.
I feel like I'm super serious at work (#gsd) so it was nice to let loose for a bit.
Thanks Fit Fun Friday!!!!

PS- the company I work for is awesome!!

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Confession no. 947

I worry so much about being passive aggressive that I go strait to aggressive.

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Time Capsule

I resolve in 2016 to write in this journal every day.
It was an inspired gifts from my BFF Kendra.
This is a 5 year journal and it asks you a question each day like "Can people change?" or "What is your mission?". Deep.
There is a section for each year on the page so on January 1 for 5 years I will answer the same question.
This will be an interesting time capsule of my life in my early 30s.

New Year, New Bedding

2016 will be the year of gingham. I got this cute new grey/white gingham duvet at IKEA to go with my purple Ralph Lauren gingham sheets I got a few years ago at TJ MAXX.
It's a change from my previous floral bedding but I think I'll like this a lot, plus it goes really great with the fluffy blanket Haley and Steve gave me for Christmas.