Me...a patient??

I have heard over and over that there is a Nurse Curse when it comes to healthcare and health issues.  Well, as you all know, it fits me to a T.  I have not seen any other mother experience hyperemesis like I have experienced it 3 different times.  I also have not seen many people suffer with post-operative nausea and vomiting like I do. 

My gall bladder has given me fits off and on since 2008.  And, the time had come for it to leave my body.  So, being the nurse practitioner that I am in, I scheduled my surgery when it was most convenient for my family and work life.  I worked in Express Care 2 extra shifts to make up for missing 4 days of work.  I arranged for my kiddos to go to both sets of grandparent's houses.  I packed their bags.  I washed all the sheets and remade all the beds.  I planned how it all would go....BUT, the nurse curse hit.

Post-operative nausea and vomiting.  I precisely couldn't make it stop.  So, I had to be admitted overnight on Wednesday.  It helped to stop the nausea (time and a lot of drugs did the trick). Surgery itself was a breeze.  And, recovering from surgery is not so bad once I quit the dry heaves.  Dry heaves with fresh abdominal incisions equals OUCH!!!

I came home to an empty house yesterday--a weird sensation for sure.  I feel much better today but still not quite the same.  My abdomen is sore.  My belly is distended, but I can eat small meals without right upper quadrant pain.  I am a hands on mom who can't pick her babies up.  I can't let them crawl on my lap quite yet.  But, soon I will feel better.

One thing about Chris and I over the last 12 months is that we don't want our babies away from arm's reach.  But, our kiddos were anxious to get away.  They were both through the roof for vacation at grandma and papas' houses.  Their excitement tore at my heartstrings just a little--why are they so excited to get away, have we been smothering them, are they just spoiled at grandma and papas'?  I think it is a little bit of stir crazy.  Carson is a homebody and always has been, but Mackenzie is a traveler.  She likes to see and do many different things.  And, she gets to ride horses and swim while visiting her grandparents.  And, it seems that we haven't done much of either of these adventurous things from our house on Poplar.  But, we have had many nights together--reading stories on our new hammock, playing in the kiddie pool, watching movies (even if the DVD player dies with 5 minutes left in the movie), cuddles in mommy and daddy's bed, etc. 

So, surgery has helped me a little--I will feel better.  I learned that once again the best laid plans are going to change.  And, that my kiddos are safe and sound even if they are not in arm's reach.  But, I will still try to keep them close. 

Chris has also learned that he needs a day of MAN TIME.  His shadow, Carson, is busy!  He is doing an amazing job trying to take care of me.  So, if you see Chris with fishing rods in his truck--don't stop him.  He needs it!!