Update on Recovery

I think I over-did it yesterday. I was awake for about 10 hours straight, which is a record these days. Plus I did some scrapbooking, went out to lunch, and went shopping. I'm paying for it today, although I did make Rob take me to an early dinner at Cheddar's. I never thought I'd say this, but I am tired of mac & cheese! Don't worry, I still love it, but I need a bit more variety than just that and tuna sandwiches every day.

I had a bizarre phone call, but I'm not reading anything into it until I talk to my doctor on Friday morning. Because my surgery was to check for cancer, my info was passed along to the oncology department at my health insurance company. A caseworker called to talk to me, see how I was doing, and go over some of the resources they have available. I told her that the preliminary screenings showed no cancer, and I would find out for sure on Friday. Kinda nice to know that she's there, just in case.

My hand has been hurting where the IV was inserted, and I have self-diagnosed myself with phlebitis. It's an "inflammation of a vein, with or with out blood clots inside the vein. Phlebitis is a common condition, and generally gets better without treatment. ... It is probably caused by the presence of the IV catheter in the vein, which may damage the lining of the vein. ... The only treatment usually necessary is for the symptoms... anti-inflammatory medicine, such as ibuprofen, acetaminophen for pain, or local heat." Here's where I found this info. Of course, I can't have ibuprofen until the staples come out, and I will definitely mention the pain at my appointment on Friday. (I did look on Web MD and it says pretty much the same thing, just where I found it is in English lol).

Despite my hand hurting and being real sluggish today, the worse thing overall is my voice. I knew there was a chance my vocal cords could have been hit, and I'm talking really soft and funny. My throat is a bit sore, but really doesn't hurt like it sounds! Rob and others are having trouble understanding me. From the info I was given post-surgery, this should be temporary. If you're not Rob, please send positive vibes that I get my voice back! (If you're Rob, don't do anything - I don't need silencing vibes sent my way lol!)
Jenn

Can someone explain to me...

...why I'm shopping online for more scrapbook supplies that I DON'T NEED? Just because Scrap Your Trip now has a wish list feature and I'm going on vacation next month, does not mean I need to be shopping there.


As the saying goes, I think I need a "12x12 Step Program".

*sigh*

Jenn

Did some scrappin'!

I did 4 pages today, thanks to the wonders of Club Scrap's ALSB. The Treasure Falls layout is done with various CS kit papers, mosaic tiles from my stash, and Heidi Swapp plastic letters. Pics were taken in Colorado, Summer 2005.



The "Tire Go Flat?" layout was done with Club Scrap's newest kit, Haberdashery. You'll recognize the car/tire pics from a previous blog post.

Thanks for looking!
Jenn

Getting Better!

The staples are really looking funny now that the swelling in my neck is going away. I still can't talk very well, I'm very hoarse. Doesn't hurt to talk, but I'm sure it sounds that way. Rob still wishes I couldn't talk at all, but he'll take what he can get. He can pretend he doesn't hear me, and these days, that could really be true since my voice is softer!

Here's a pic. I get my staples out Friday! You can't see, but my hair is clean (I've been washing it daily) and I have makeup on for the first time since last Wednesday! The green top is a real shirt instead of a pajama top. I also have a bra on for the first time since Thursday morning - Rob didn't understand why that should make him happy lol. ;)Jenn

Office Supply "Candy"!

Rob took me out for the first time since coming home from surgery. We went to Bennigan's for lunch (can't beat their $4.99 cash crunch lunch!). Then he took me to Staples.

Staples has a new feature called "Mix It Up". It's like bulk candy, but better - bulk office supplies with no calories! For $5.99 for a small or $9.99 for a large bucket, you can mix and match a selection of Staples-brand office supplies including binder clips, paper clips, and thumbtacks.

The containers are divided and the lid fits tight, so you lose a lot of space. Still, I was able to get some really cool patterned binder clips, a lot of metallic paper clips, a couple 8-packs of thumbtacks (they are a little larger than normal, good for hanging things on), and some fun shaped paper clips - guitars, treble clefs, footprints, hearts, and stars. They also had several types of handprints, but I opted against those. I spent a lot of time playing with everything, so that was worth part of the cost right there lol! The pic below shows just a few of the goodies I shoved into my container.

I can't wait to see what else they add to the selection. It would be great to split with up to 3 more people, since the buckets are divided into 4 sections. Although then you'd fight over the bucket lol. Happy shopping!

Jenn

Update and Cookies

I am doing much better, although I've progressed to the annoying stage of any incision - the itchy tightness stage! I get longer bursts of energy, and I'm bored - which I take to be a good sign that I'm feeling better! Still no major pain. Moved to either nothing or plain Tylenol during the day, and still taking percocet at night since it knocks me out. My voice sounds really funny. I'm hoping that it goes back to normal, especially since voice issues are a side effect of thyroidectomies!

I was showing Rob my bruise from where they drew blood at 5am on Friday morning. I tried to get a pic, but it didn't turn out. The woman came in, asked if she could turn the light on (at least my tech and nurse left the lights off, but then again, they weren't stabbing me with needles), and which side was best. I covered my head with the blanket, and held out my right arm. She proceeded to tap on my arm. Unhappy, she walked around and tapped on my other arm. She then walked around and tapped on the back of my right hand. Satisfied she had a vein and ignoring my comments that my veins were alseep, she poked me with the needle, finished up, and left me alone. Can't they do that at a normal time?!?

The doorbell rang about 5pm tonight. Rob muttered something about how if it weren't for the fact that he's usually here to get the packages, he'd think I was having an affair with the UPS guy. He brings me a box from Mrs. Field's Cookies, now accusing me of sending myself cookies since I had surgery lol. Turns out to be a cute gift basket from my coworkers, Lesa, Stephanie, Lisa, Toni, Katie, Debbie, and Jill. Thanks girls! I tried the macadamia nut ones first - YUM! And of course the basket itself will be used in my scrap room. I'm sure Lisa A. is behind the POLKA-DOTTED ribbon wrapped around the basket though! ;) (It was much prettier than this - I re-tied the bow to take a pic lol).


Thanks to all who have kept me in your thoughts - it sure is working and I've enjoyed talking online to many of you this week!

Jenn

Remember How I Threatened to Ask the Doctor...

...what time he went to bed the night before my surgery? I forgot to tell ya'll that I did just that! He chuckled and said he had been tired so went to bed early. :)

I'm in a cycle of up for a few hours, sleep for a few hours now. My incision site is getting really uncomfortable - sometimes it itches, sometimes it hurts. But I'm still recovering very nicely, must better than I expected. I let Rob out of the house for a few hours, and he's on his way back with Wendy's for me (I wanted a Frosty and fries).
Jenn

I Have Office Supplies in My Neck?!?

When Dr. S (my surgeon) said staples, I didn't realize he really meant those metal things that hold paper together! I took a pic of my incision - gross but still kinda cool. The mark below it is where my drain was. You can see a bit of my new purple jammies. And some of my gross unwashed hair lol - getting ready to take my first shower in two days, woohoo!

My first night at home went well, although I can definitely appreciate why I was in the hospital overnight - my bed doesn't automatically raise and lower lol! Rob was a super nurse, getting me my meds as I needed them. Poor guy, I woke him up at 3am to find out when I'd had them last because I really have no concept of time! I was able to get pudding and the meds myself, but he got up and was ready to help anyway. Love that man!

Jenn

Funny hospital bracelet story

Along with my ID bracelet and the blood info bracelet, they put a bracelet on me listing my allergies. Sounds normal, until you read it and see I'm allergic to lavendar and spearmint! I got a couple comments that sorry I wouldn't be having any spa treatments while I was in the hospital lol! :)
Jenn

Pics from hospital

Here are some pics:
After surgery, drain poking out and I look like I have a giant maxi pad on my neck lol. Notice I have my own jammies on though! :)

The room was much cheerier than it looks here. I was alone for the most part, except the first few hours. I was glad to have a private room! (See the stuffed doggie on my bed lol?)

My first wheelchair ride and going home!! The guy in the hallway is a teen volunteer, very nice kid. You can see part of my incision, the bandage was ripped off (ouch) and only replaced where the drain was.

I'll post a pic of the incision later - gross but kinda cool at the same time lol. Battle scars!

Jenn