Sunday, May 2, 2010
Day 4:
Day 4 not too bad - still painful but completely tolerable. I'm just getting antsy. I just want to eat normal again, but I don't think that's happening any time in the near future. As the saying goes, "They didn't build Rome in 3 days". (But I sure wish they had).
I'm Starving
Oh, I'm so hungry. Well, not currently, I just had my beef broth with mashed potatoes; that and anything frozen are the only things that don't really hurt when they go down. Soggy bread hurts, pudding, jello and yogurt all sting on the way down. But all I want to eat is something fatning, creamy, melted, smothered, etc. I can't really explain it I'm not really craving it in the I-need-that-right-now- sorta way. I see those foods and think "gosh, that would hurt". But I've been building my list of places I want to eat after my full recovery. Really, all the weight I'm losing (which has only been 3 lbs) will go right back on. But here is the list in no particiular order:
1. Santa Monica Pizza -I've lived in Utah for 7 years now, and have never found a good pizza place until 2 months ago - which just so happens to be 1 mile from my house. This place even serves Pennsylvania Dutch Birch Beer - Yes, that's right folks Birch Beer! And when I'm fully recovered I'm going to eat pizza and drink a Birch Beer.
1. Santa Monica Pizza -I've lived in Utah for 7 years now, and have never found a good pizza place until 2 months ago - which just so happens to be 1 mile from my house. This place even serves Pennsylvania Dutch Birch Beer - Yes, that's right folks Birch Beer! And when I'm fully recovered I'm going to eat pizza and drink a Birch Beer.
2. Cafe Rio - I want a pork barbacoa taco in the wheat shell with no beans but extra rice. Also I want some chips and salsa.
3. Training Table - Cheese fries please - with the ultimate dipping sauce.
4. Ruth's Diner - I want a mile high biscuit with the raspberry jam and eggs Benedict.
5. 5 Guys - Bacon burger with fries (with the vinegar - LOVE vinegar).
6. Dessert - I just want a good dessert. By friend Nancy sent me this recipe for a raspberry cookie dessert - all I want to do is make it and then eat it - all of it.
Saturday, May 1, 2010
Day 3
Okay, I just want to say I'm not posting the recovery for sympathy, but if I can be of some help to others who have to go through this I'm happy to do it. Also I'm bored out of my mind laying in bed, so it gives me something to do. Also I want to write it down as it happens, so that in a month if someone is getting a tonsillectomy I'll remember everything.
Anyway, on to day 3.
Well, as day 2 started off great it didn't end so great. I was sore and talking became impossible. Swallowing hurt like the dickens. But knowing that the next day was day 3, the day the scabs would form, I kept drinking. Sleeping was difficult. I think Sydney could tell I was in pain and not sleeping well, so she came up and cuddled with me putting her head on my chest - I hope she knows how much that helped - gosh, I love that dog.
Day 3: Morning. Worst pain yet. I couldn't wait to get some pain killers. However, I woke up feisty and in a terrible mood. I'm guessing it has something to do with the combination of sleep deprivation, hunger (and I don't know about you but as for me, just being hungry always puts me in a terrible mood), pain, and boredom. I'm still at risk for bleeding so I have to keep it easy. And I was such a wench to Brad (who was completely undeserving of it he has been so sweet. Last night he went to the store and even brought me back angel food cake with yogurt because he said when I can finally move on to solids he thought I would like to eat that - yeah, I married a great guy). So I knew I had to get out of the funk. I went on the front porch to eat my Popsicle for breakfast (I needed the air). Afterwards, I gargled with salt water - honestly that felt so good. Then I took a bath, cleaned up, changed pajamas - and I'm feeling tons better. It's amazing how your attitude has a lot to do with how you feel. Yes, I'm still in pain and talking hurts but now that I'm out of the funk I'm happy and things don't seem as bad. In fact, I'd say I'm feeling quite well right now.
Also what I had for dinner last night was delicious. I got beef broth and boiled with with celery stock, carrots and onions. Of course, I couldn't eat the veggies but the broth tasted so good. I'm actually craving it.
Day 3: Night. As day 3 started off rough it's ending pretty well. I've been able to eat a bit more and in doing so can take the Percocet much better. I still love ice chips and the ice pack. By far this has been the worst day yet, which I knew it would be. They say day 3 (when scabs form) and day 7 (when scabs fall off) are your worst days, so if I'm half way done with the worst then I'm pretty sure I can handle the rest. I had ups and downs throughout the day, so I wasn't in constant misery. Hopefully, tomorrow will be better. Positive attitude.
Anyway, on to day 3.
Well, as day 2 started off great it didn't end so great. I was sore and talking became impossible. Swallowing hurt like the dickens. But knowing that the next day was day 3, the day the scabs would form, I kept drinking. Sleeping was difficult. I think Sydney could tell I was in pain and not sleeping well, so she came up and cuddled with me putting her head on my chest - I hope she knows how much that helped - gosh, I love that dog.
Day 3: Morning. Worst pain yet. I couldn't wait to get some pain killers. However, I woke up feisty and in a terrible mood. I'm guessing it has something to do with the combination of sleep deprivation, hunger (and I don't know about you but as for me, just being hungry always puts me in a terrible mood), pain, and boredom. I'm still at risk for bleeding so I have to keep it easy. And I was such a wench to Brad (who was completely undeserving of it he has been so sweet. Last night he went to the store and even brought me back angel food cake with yogurt because he said when I can finally move on to solids he thought I would like to eat that - yeah, I married a great guy). So I knew I had to get out of the funk. I went on the front porch to eat my Popsicle for breakfast (I needed the air). Afterwards, I gargled with salt water - honestly that felt so good. Then I took a bath, cleaned up, changed pajamas - and I'm feeling tons better. It's amazing how your attitude has a lot to do with how you feel. Yes, I'm still in pain and talking hurts but now that I'm out of the funk I'm happy and things don't seem as bad. In fact, I'd say I'm feeling quite well right now.
Also what I had for dinner last night was delicious. I got beef broth and boiled with with celery stock, carrots and onions. Of course, I couldn't eat the veggies but the broth tasted so good. I'm actually craving it.
Day 3: Night. As day 3 started off rough it's ending pretty well. I've been able to eat a bit more and in doing so can take the Percocet much better. I still love ice chips and the ice pack. By far this has been the worst day yet, which I knew it would be. They say day 3 (when scabs form) and day 7 (when scabs fall off) are your worst days, so if I'm half way done with the worst then I'm pretty sure I can handle the rest. I had ups and downs throughout the day, so I wasn't in constant misery. Hopefully, tomorrow will be better. Positive attitude.
Friday, April 30, 2010
Recovery
So prior to my tonsillectomy - I did something very stupid, I decided to read about other adult tonsillectomies - and it scared me. So I decided to keep a recovery journal about my tonsillectomy.
For starters the history:
When I 13 white balls formed on my tonsils that I would have to pick off (I originally I thought this was puss but later I learned this is actually a mixture of bacteria and food) and it smells terrible. I used to get them occasionally, possibly monthly. As I got older they became more frequent (up to the day of the surgery I was getting them daily). But to be honest, I was really embarrassed by them so I told no one.
When I was 18, still dealing with the white balls -but by this point I had a few big pits in my tonsils - this is where the white stuff would come out. I went to get my wisdom teeth out. During my first visit the oral surgeon said to me, "Your tonsils are huge, those will need to come out eventually." Still I did nothing, because they really weren't bugging me.
About 6 months ago I started feeling my throat swell, nothing terrible but I could feel my tonsils inflamed. My throat aches became frequent but nothing I missed work for; I would just drink a lot of ice ice cold water to alleviate the pain. Then the lymph nodes behind my hear started swelling - this was a pain I hated. I could deal with a sore throat by ear pain I have a hard time tolerating. I would sleep with ice packs to feel relief.
Then in those 6 months I noticed I would get the beginning signs of a head cold - but nothing more. I never put this with the tonsils until I told the doctor.
Anyway, I just so happen to work with a retired ENT (who is one of my favorite doctors) and I called him up one day to get his take on it. His verdict: I need to get them out. He said your tonsils don't get better. The pits that are there will never go away they'll just get worse. He referred me to a great ENT and now I am on my second day of recovery.
So the days of my recovery (and I'm really sorry to bore or disgust you with these details but I thought they could be helpful for some).
Day 1: Terrible. I was dealing with the effects of the anesthesia (as you can watch the video below - honestly, at the time I was making perfect sense). The anesthesia made me shaky and very nauseated. I was in terrible pain and extremely nauseous. I vomited three times yesterday which is normal. The nurse who called to check on me today told me it was the anesthesia as well as the blood in my stomach from the surgery. I didn't have an appetite. The only thing I ate was 3 soggy crackers and a creamsicle. Also the hospital sent me home with a ice pack for my neck - it is wonderful.
Day 2: Much better. The nausea has worn off, however the pain has increased. But I'd much rather have pain than nausea- pain I can tolerate nausea I can't. My throat is more swollen it's more difficult to talk, and swallowing is the most painful part. I've read that drinking cold liquids is the best you can do because it helps with the scabs. I've been drinking water like crazy to avoid any other unnecessary pain. The best thing I found is ice chips. Today, I woke up with an achy body and I little sick of being in bed. I took the dogs for a brief walk to move around and get some air - I think it did a world of wonders. I've been able to check email, and make some invitations - nothing I would have been able to do yesterday. This morning I froze some slim fast to eat for breakfast and it was wonderful. I'm actually looking forward to room temperature chicken broth with soggy crackers. The meds I have been given are: Percocet, a steroid (for swelling) and an anti-biotic. I've noticed the percocet makes me a little on the nauseous side but I ate my frozen slim fast 15 minutes before taking it, then I took it and laid flat for 15 minutes (also I only took half) and it seemed to do the trick. Also I'm still suing my ice pack - along with the ice chips it is wonderful.
Anway, extremely boring. But after some of the recoveries I read about I needed to share mine.
For starters the history:
When I 13 white balls formed on my tonsils that I would have to pick off (I originally I thought this was puss but later I learned this is actually a mixture of bacteria and food) and it smells terrible. I used to get them occasionally, possibly monthly. As I got older they became more frequent (up to the day of the surgery I was getting them daily). But to be honest, I was really embarrassed by them so I told no one.
When I was 18, still dealing with the white balls -but by this point I had a few big pits in my tonsils - this is where the white stuff would come out. I went to get my wisdom teeth out. During my first visit the oral surgeon said to me, "Your tonsils are huge, those will need to come out eventually." Still I did nothing, because they really weren't bugging me.
About 6 months ago I started feeling my throat swell, nothing terrible but I could feel my tonsils inflamed. My throat aches became frequent but nothing I missed work for; I would just drink a lot of ice ice cold water to alleviate the pain. Then the lymph nodes behind my hear started swelling - this was a pain I hated. I could deal with a sore throat by ear pain I have a hard time tolerating. I would sleep with ice packs to feel relief.
Then in those 6 months I noticed I would get the beginning signs of a head cold - but nothing more. I never put this with the tonsils until I told the doctor.
Anyway, I just so happen to work with a retired ENT (who is one of my favorite doctors) and I called him up one day to get his take on it. His verdict: I need to get them out. He said your tonsils don't get better. The pits that are there will never go away they'll just get worse. He referred me to a great ENT and now I am on my second day of recovery.
So the days of my recovery (and I'm really sorry to bore or disgust you with these details but I thought they could be helpful for some).
Day 1: Terrible. I was dealing with the effects of the anesthesia (as you can watch the video below - honestly, at the time I was making perfect sense). The anesthesia made me shaky and very nauseated. I was in terrible pain and extremely nauseous. I vomited three times yesterday which is normal. The nurse who called to check on me today told me it was the anesthesia as well as the blood in my stomach from the surgery. I didn't have an appetite. The only thing I ate was 3 soggy crackers and a creamsicle. Also the hospital sent me home with a ice pack for my neck - it is wonderful.
Day 2: Much better. The nausea has worn off, however the pain has increased. But I'd much rather have pain than nausea- pain I can tolerate nausea I can't. My throat is more swollen it's more difficult to talk, and swallowing is the most painful part. I've read that drinking cold liquids is the best you can do because it helps with the scabs. I've been drinking water like crazy to avoid any other unnecessary pain. The best thing I found is ice chips. Today, I woke up with an achy body and I little sick of being in bed. I took the dogs for a brief walk to move around and get some air - I think it did a world of wonders. I've been able to check email, and make some invitations - nothing I would have been able to do yesterday. This morning I froze some slim fast to eat for breakfast and it was wonderful. I'm actually looking forward to room temperature chicken broth with soggy crackers. The meds I have been given are: Percocet, a steroid (for swelling) and an anti-biotic. I've noticed the percocet makes me a little on the nauseous side but I ate my frozen slim fast 15 minutes before taking it, then I took it and laid flat for 15 minutes (also I only took half) and it seemed to do the trick. Also I'm still suing my ice pack - along with the ice chips it is wonderful.
Anway, extremely boring. But after some of the recoveries I read about I needed to share mine.
Thursday, April 29, 2010
The Ramblings of a Madwoman Pt. I
Julie recovering from the anesthetic after surgery....
More to come.
-Brad
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Our dream
Brad and I have a dream. A dream that is actually one of our lifetime goals. Let me share:
We hope to own one of these one day (a ranch):
With lots of these:
So we can rescue these:
(The above picture are actual puppies that need rescued and it just pulls at my heartstrings. But one day I will have my ranch, with my goats, and I can rescue all the beautiful border collies/Australian shepherds to my heart's desire).
Friday, April 23, 2010
Friday
It's Friday and it looks like this:
But it is surprisingly not making me gloomy like it usually does. Possibly because it means my surroundings will stay looking like this longer? Green that is.
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Mortifying
Scenario: You are in the elevator with your [male] boss.
Boss: Do you have a pen I could borrow?
Me: [I reach into my ginormous, completely cluttered, unorganized thing I call a purse. After I check every pocket (and there are 6 of them) I begin to sense victory nearing as finally reach the bottom of my purse when my hand finds what I think is a pen. I pull it out triumphantly when I realize what I pulled out was not a pen, no my friends, what I pulled out was a tampon.]
Boss: Do you have a pen I could borrow?
Me: [I reach into my ginormous, completely cluttered, unorganized thing I call a purse. After I check every pocket (and there are 6 of them) I begin to sense victory nearing as finally reach the bottom of my purse when my hand finds what I think is a pen. I pull it out triumphantly when I realize what I pulled out was not a pen, no my friends, what I pulled out was a tampon.]
Monday, April 12, 2010
Saturday, April 10, 2010
California
There is a BIG perk to all of Brad's business travels... SKY MILES. Which means we get to travel for pleasure - which is really one of my favorite things to do. And one of our favorite places to go is California. We met my parents out there for a vacation.
Here is my dad and I standing outside the theatre for "Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln"
My parents and me (Brad is in the reflection). At the Blue Bayou for dinner. (I apologize for the quality of some of the pics as they came from Brad's iPhone).
Me trying on hats (what kind of vacation is it without me trying on silly hats?)
Here is my dad and I standing outside the theatre for "Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln"
My parents and me (Brad is in the reflection). At the Blue Bayou for dinner. (I apologize for the quality of some of the pics as they came from Brad's iPhone).
Me trying on hats (what kind of vacation is it without me trying on silly hats?)
And hands down one of my favorite rides at Disneyland - Midway Mania.
And these.... this seem to be the style at Disneyland and I can't figure out why. To each his own I suppose.
And these.... this seem to be the style at Disneyland and I can't figure out why. To each his own I suppose.
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