Another Surgery on our Journey of TTC!

I can't believe it's been almost two weeks since I had my surgery.  I've sat down numerous times to write this blog post, but just can't seem to get motivated to finish it.

I had my second surgery on Thursday, November 21, 2013 to remove uterine fibroids.  It was a laparotomy myomectomy with a ureteral stint placement.  The surgery went fine, but took a little longer than planned because the fibroid was a lot bigger than expected.  Even with the uterine fibroid embolization procedure I had done last year, it was still really big!  Because of the size of it, and because Dr. Gentry had already made a 4 inch incision in my uterus and didn't want to make it any bigger, he had to go in blindly and cut the fibroid up into smaller pieces to get it out.

Last time I had asked Dr. G. to take a picture of it and he forgot.  I requested it again this time and he remembered.  Thanks Dr. G.

I don't remember any of the surgery, probably because of the good stuff they injected into my back right before I woke up!  #lovemyanthesiologist

While we were in the hospital, my incision had alot of drainage to it.  I remember going to the bathroom in the middle of the night and looking down and there was blood all over the floor.  I was completely freaked out and yelled for Shawn to get the nurse.  Dr. G. assured me it was normal and the nurses helped take care of it and changing the dressing and steri-strips.  Also when the original dressing was removed from my incision, it left 3 HUGE blisters on my stomach, so they were helping to treat those as well.

My recovery and stay in the hospital was as good as could be expected being in the hospital.  All of my nurses and techs were amazing!!  Shout out to Heather I., Brandi R., Julie S., Lorna B., Brenda L, Megan, Jo Beth B., Linda C., and good ol' Trazette C.  I remembered Trazette from my procedure last year at St. Mary's.  When she says something, you do it!  #lovemesomeTrazette

In fact, they were such amazing caregivers to me and to Shawn, and because almost all of them was jealous of my snuggly blanket I had on my bed, I ordered each one of them a big snuggly blanket from Kohl's the other day.  They are all sitting in the living still waiting on me to be able to drive so I can deliver them to the girls.

I had a hard time getting comfortable to sleep, and didn't get much sleep while in the hospital.  I'm still having a hard time sleeping at home.  I know over time, it will get easier, but come on already, this ol girl is tired!

No one came to visit us Thursday evening after the surgery, which I was actually glad.  I felt horrible and was so nauseated and throwing up.  We had quite a few visitors on Friday evening:  Mom, Shawn, Uncle Dave (thanks for the yummy soup), my friend Misty, Tina and David, Heather and Kristi (thanks for the yummy cookies and Thanksgiving meal), Angie, Alex and Allesha (thanks for the yummy cupcakes), Brother and Sister Heard (she actually checked on me each day we were there since she works at the hospital), and Phil, Susan and Kylie.  Shawn and I appreciated the company!

I also know that there were many, many, many people praying and thinking about us and we appreciate and love each of you very much!  Thanks to my momma for staying at our house with our animals while we were at the hospital and then helping to take care of my over Thanksgiving weekend so Shawn could go home and be with his parents.  Thanks to my amazing husband for your nonstop care and love!  He spent 3 nights and 4 days sleeping in the most uncomfortable chair and fold out bed so that I wouldn't have to call the nurse each time I needed something.  I'm pretty needy when I don't feel good and can't hardly get out of bed.

The picture below is of my fibroid.  That is one fibroid that Dr. Gentry had to go in blindly and cut up to be able to remove through the incision in my uterus.  He said it was about 8 inches in diameter.

Finally, food!  HAHA!!  My last real meal was Tuesday night.  Wednesday I had to do a bowel prep so all I could have was some clear liquids.  Thursday I couldn't have anything before the surgery, and after the surgery I was extremely ill!  So Friday morning for breakfast I had a grilled cheese and potato soup.  That was the yummiest meal!

Relaxing and waiting on the Dr. Gentry to release me.  #readytoblowthejoint

Love the beautiful colored roses and get well balloon my Shawnie got me!  

Get well flowers from my work

So now I'm at home relaxing and trying to take it easy and recover.  I've had good days and bad days at home.  I'm home for another two to four weeks depending on when Dr. Gentry is going to release me.  

The Surgery from H3LL!

Back in October I had a Uterine Fibroid Embolization procedure done.  The surgery from h3ll!  Another roadblock in our journey of TTC!  Dr. Gentry seems to think that fibroid was in the way and instead of having surgery again, he opted to do UFE.  That procedure was 10 times worse than my abdominal surgery a few years ago to remove fibroids.  Instead of re-telling the story, I've copied my timeline of the surgery and days following the surgery from our TTC page of my blog.

 

9.5.12 - Bea with Dr. G's office called and said they are setting up my artery embolization (UAE/UFE) procedure and she will call me back with the details as soon as they have everything.

10.3.12 - Day of my UAE or UFE. Had to be at hospital at 7:00 a.m., procedure at 8:30 a.m. Procedure went fine. Recovery was hell! Lots of pain, nausea, vomiting, fever/chills, no appetite, no rest.

10.4.12 - Day one post-op - feeling somewhat better. Able to eat a little. Pain isn't as bed. Released from hospital at 1:00 p.m. Still not able to get comfortable to get any rest.

10.5.12 - Day two post-op - Shawn had to work today so I had him pick up my mom; I'm glad. I was miserable. Lots of pain, nausea, cramping, chills, fever, flu-like symptoms, constipated and bad back/hip pain from that, no appetite, not able to get comfortable to rest, used a heating pad alot. Called Dr. Gentry's office and was told to take Miralax and some Colace stool softeners; if no relief by Sunday to call back.

10.6.12 - Day three post-op - Mild cramping, constipated and lots of back/hip pain. FINALLY able to go to the bathroom some. More of an appetite, chasing Colace stool softeners with apple cider/Miralax cocktails.

10.7.12 - Day four post-op - Went to church this morning, then to take mom home. Completely wore out. Still constipated and uncomfortable from that, but having some small BM's. Noticed more abdominal pain today. Appetite back to normal, chasing Colace stool softeners with apple cider/miralax cocktails.

10.8.12 - Day five post-op - Didn't go to work today like scheduled. Finally able to rest and wanted to spend an entire day resting before getting back into things full throttle. Small BM's, still taking Colace stool softeners tho, abdominal cramps and discomfort, still using a heating pad, woke up with a cough, sore throat and achy ears (I know this is from Shawn - he caught something from the hospital!)

10.9.12 - Day six post-op - Feeling much better from my procedure; went to work all day today. Noticed when I'm up walking around alot or climbing stairs, the upper part of my right thigh gets really tired and achy. I've got some aches on my lower hips (not sure about this). I've been having BM's so that's good. On the other hand, I think I've got a sinus infection/bronchitis. I felt bad all day, with deep, pghlemy coughs, hot, tired and just achy.

10.10.12 - Day seven post-op - Surgery wise, I'm doing better. Went to my family doctor today and I have a sinus infection. He said it's from having a weak immune system right now, and the fact that there is alot of crud going around.

10.29.12 - Met with Dr. G for a post-op appt. Wants to see me back in 3 months to do an SIS u/s.

Welcome Baby Gavin

Yeah...I'm an Aunt. My sister delivered birth to a beautiful baby boy on Wednesday, February 18, 2009 at 5:55 p.m. Gavin Lee Thomas Burgess weighs 7 pounds 13 1/2 ounces and is 20 inches long. He was welcomed by mommy and daddy - Beth and Tommy, Mimi Kate, Aunt Stacey, Cousin Krista, and friends Brandon and Cami. Later that night Mimi's boyfriend Aaron and some of Beth's friends stopped by. He has a headfull of brownish-blonde curly hair just like his dad and looks like his mom and Aunt Stacey...hee :)

Being in the delivery room was defintely an experience I'll never forget. I think my memory is scared with certain images, but we won't go there. LOL!!

What a busy day

Today has been extremely busy for us today. We've been on the go ALL day. We left the house at 9:00 a.m. for Sunday school and church.

At 1:00 p.m., we left church to go to Shawn's work party at the Bauer House out in Darmstadt. Got there about 1:30 p.m. and ate lunch. There was fried chicken, ham w/pineapple, mashed potatoes w/gravy, green beans, cole slaw, and bread. They also had all kinds of snacks and ice creams and unlimited soft drinks. After lunch we went outside to play the free bingo. Shawn and I both bingo'd once. Shawn got a $10 gift certificate for McDonalds, I got a $10 gift certificate to Sonic. Then the very last game was a cover all game and I won. WOOHOO!!!!! I won 6 tickets to Holiday World and $10 gift certificates to Subway, Sonic, and Stephen Libs Candies. All in all, we cleaned house.

After the picnic, we went to the hospital to visit Lil, a friend from church. She is having surgery tomorrow to repair her heart. It will be a very long surgery, 12 hours to be exact, and she only has a 20% chance of making it through the surgery. The doctor told her that the only way she is going to survive is to fight. We are praying and beliving in God to help her. She's a great lady!!!

After leaving the hospital, we went to Rockport to my cousin Chrystal's. They were having a birthday party for her son, our Godson. He's 3, and a ham!


Happy Birthday!

After we left Chrystal's, we drove out to Heather and Bowen's. Bowen's parents were over with all of the new puppies, so we had to go see Hershey. I can't believe how big the dogs are getting. In a few weeks, we'll be bringing Hershey home with us. And of course, Zoe had to have her picture taken with some of the dogs.

Meet Max...

And Skotsky... And Layla...
And last but not least, here's Hershey and Shawn :)

I think we are in for a surprise, because Hershey is supposed to be chocolate, but I don't think he is anymore. In some light he does look chocolate, and in other light he doesn't. I wanted a chocolate weiner dog from the beginning, but I have fallen in love with this little guy, so it doesn't matter to me what color he is.