Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Are you ready to hear all about it?

Well, I have been in no shape to write for awhile, so hopefully you were getting your updates from someone else. It has been a R-O-U-G-H few days for me. I had been experiencing nausea off and on since I woke up from surgery on Thursday. We finally attributed it to the pain meds I was on and I was switched to different meds. We thought that would take care of things. We thought that I was even doing so well that they'd let me try a little food (juice and jello) to see how it went. Let's just say it didn't go so well. At all. I got really nauseaous again couldn't kick it. The doctors managed to talk me into an NG tube, which is "uncomfortable but it will be good for me." Uh, hello, and welcome to the understatement of the world. Uncomfortable does not even begin to describe the awfullness that I experienced Sunday night. I spent about 8 hours straight wretching and gagging from the NG tube. It did manage to pump a bunch of fluid out of my stomach, but I was a total wreck. I was begging anyone and everyone who would listen to me to take it out. Poor Ed, I really took it out on him and begged him to walk down to the nurses' station every 5 minutes see if they would take it out yet. The doctor's residents finally ordered for it to be pulled Monday morning. Sweet relief. Well, not really at all. The nausea set in instantly and didn't leave me. By the afternoon, I was puking green stuff and we were back to threats of another tube. I cried to the nurse practioner that I couldn't do it again, but she promised me she would do it herself this time and that it would be okay. She gave me a mild sedative (an anti-anxiety drug), had me sniff a bunch of lidocain up my nose and down my throat, and then she did the dirty deed. Still pretty awful going down, but I was relaxed enough that I didn't instantly start gagging and wretching. I've been tolerating the tube for about 12 hours now. I will probably have to have it in for at least a day, probably a could of days. There is a blockage (swelling) in my small intestine and things aren't able to pass through. My intestines and stomach are producing a bunch of fluid to try to flush the blockage out, and that's what's making me sick. SO, please pray that this blocked area, this swelling, would calm down that I would have clear passage. The doctor said the blockage happens in about 15% of cases and I just happened to draw the short straw this time. Bummer. So please pray that God would heal my body and calm the swelling. Once they think all is clear, I will try the juice and jello again to see if my body tolerates it. And then it's a pretty quick progression through liquids, soft foods and normal foods to get to come home, all assuming everything keeps moving through without more blockage issues. My hunger is starting to kick in and I am dreaming of a big ol' glass of Pepsi. That's all my mind can think about right now. Mmm. Hopefully it will be soon.

10 comments:

Ruth Palmer said...

Holy smokes Leah! That is awful. I will keep praying that this all clears us FAST so you can get that Pepsi :)
Keep us posted when you can....
Love you!
Ruth

Meg said...

Oh, Leah, that sounds so horrible! I can't even imagine! We are praying for you!

Josh and Donna said...

you poor thing! marah and i prayed for your just now. we love you!

Justin and Gi said...

praying for you.
From watching Justin, I know it is SO hard for this type of stuff. hang in there friend.
press on and pepsi...yum!
Hugs,
Gi

Krista said...

Thanks for sharing all the details so we can pray specifically! I cannot imagine, but you are an amazing woman and I know there are MANY people all over the world praying for you. SOON, you're going to be going home to those precious boys of yours :).

Love and Prayers!!
K

Anonymous said...

If it is praying for Pepsi, count me in! Hopefully each hour gets better for you. Love, Mary

tenjuices said...

I just wanted some pictures of the kids...

Anonymous said...

Hang in there sweetie. I'm praying for you, my small group is praying for you and even my Sunday school preschool/kindergarten class is praying for you. Hopefully the next update is a good one. I didn't let Roger read your blog, I think he would have gotten sick just reading!!!
Love you, Aunt Karen

Margaret said...

I'm so sorry Leah. Praying!

Lois Murray said...

Leah- it breaks my heart to read your update. I wish there was a way for all of us praying for you to take a portion of your pain and relief you of the burden of bearing all of it. Let's hope the swelling is relieved fast and your recovery gets back on track quickly!! Don't forget ice cream is waiting for you! Lois