Last Surgery Update...hopefully!

I don't even know where to begin. Alot has happened since my last surgery Jan. 28th. I thought that would have been my last one. Little did I know! :( I was doing really well. Doing physical therapy and getting back into my daily routines which felt nice. I got my stitches out about two weeks after January's surgery. A few days after that my wound started opening up at a certain area. I could see my tissue and it was pretty painful. I just knew something was wrong. I ended up going in to see my doctor twice, when on the third visit she didn't like the way that it looked. I ended up having an emergency surgery right then and there on March 6th. She went in and cleaned out my wound. She told me later on that she had barely stuck her finger on the incision and it had caved in. :( My tissue had been damaged severely from doing Radiation, and an infection occured called Staph epidermidis. I was in the hospital for about 6 days. They ended up putting an IV pic line in so that I could get my antibiotics and meds quicker. It worked! ha That hospital visit is a blur to me now.

I had a Home Health Nurse come for about a week and clean and change my gauze on the open wound. She came in the mornings and Matt changed it at night. It was a process. But, Matt didn't mind doing it and he was very careful and followed all of the directions.

March 18th I had my last Major surgery. This was one of the bigger ones. They took part of my stomach, stomach muscle, blood vessels and adipose tissue (fat) to fill the hole that was left in my left leg. I was in critical care for a few days. I had to have a blood transfusion because I lost alot of blood. I was so out of it, I don't remember much. I guess my Mom and Matt came and I talked to people on the phone, but I don't remember much. ha Those drugs worked well then! I'm glad!! :) I was on bed rest for 6 days and in the hospital for 9 days. I ended up getting a really bad yeast infection from the catheter being in for 6 days and from the amount of antibiotics that was given to me. It was going pretty much 24/7. Stuck to Iv's. My veins became so weak that the iv's would fall out or my skin around the iv became irritated and puffy. They had the most experienced Nurse come in and she couldn't find any good veins. She ended up putting it right on my left hand near my thumb/wrist. It was the worst place because when I would get up to do physical therapy and use my walker it would be all tight and uncomfortable like it was going to fall out. Ugh! At this point I just wanted to get the heck out of there!! I had lots of visitors which helped the days go by a little quicker. But, I hated it when they left and I was there alone. I maybe liked one of the Nurses, but for the most part I always felt like I was buggin' them if I wanted some water or I had to get up out of bed to use the restroom, or I wanted clean sheets. I mean seriously! I shouldn't have to ask them to change my sheets. My Aunt Rosemary came and visited me a few days after the surgery and she changed my sheets without even asking. :) It makes a difference. But, they don't care :(

I started Physical Therapy on Tues. That was one of the hardest days. You don't even realize the muscles that you use in your stomach to get up and out of bed. I was in so much pain, but I wanted to get up out of bed. My leg didn't want to move. They came everyday, sometimes twice because I wanted to go home. I asked her what I had to do before I could go home. They have this CAR that is on the floor because it's the Rehabilitation Floor for people with hip replacements, skin grafts. In order for me to go home I had to be able to get in and out of the car. I pushed myself everyday in physical therapy so that when the time came for me to get in and out of the car I would be able to do it no problem. And I did! That was one of the happiest days for me because I got to go HOME!!! :)
I stayed at my Mom's house for 6 days. She took care of me far better than any of the nurses in the hospital. I had home cooked meals everyday. She would help in the bathroom, get into bed.. etc. whatever I needed she helped me with a smile on her face. I knew she was tired. It would be tiring looking after a 23 yr old 24/7. But, I never heard her complain. In fact, I think she kinda enjoyed it. Maybe it's because she took off work and would rather take care of me! I dunno :P

As of now, I'm home home with my HUBS Matt :) I'm doing better everday. And I try to do things on my own. I have now moved on from the walker to crutches.. Ssshh!!! I don't know if the Doctors would be too happy to hear that, but it's alot easier to get around. I'm just trying to HEAL right and stay positive. At times it is hard, but listening to General Conference gave me the faith and the motivation that I needed and at times fail to have. I haven't quite put my finger on why this had to be my trial for right now. But, I think that in time I will have it all figured out. What I do know is that Heavenly Father knows me personally. He knows what I can and can't handle. If he knew that I couldn't handle this (which at times I felt like it was just too much all at once) he wouldn't have given this to me. Maybe I'm supposed to learn to have more Faith in things?? To turn to him in times of need. Whatever the reason is, I'm not pefect and I'm def. learning from this.

Thank you to everyone who has prayed for me. Brought me dinners, cupcakes :), came to the hospital and visited and pampered me. In times like this, that's all that I really want and need. Is my family and friends and HUBS around me who love me unconditionally, know matter what. xo