Melissa's Turn

Continuing with the hospital theme for 2015, I took a turn.  My uterus and I haven't gotten along for many years. After it only getting worse the last few months, I decided I had had enough. Dr. Arrington was the only GYN in years who listened to my symptoms and issues. He was also the first to not put me on birth control or tell me to get pregnant. He had my vote from that moment on. After waiting months for the right time, insurance and a new job, I finally got it all looked at. 

It's weird going under at the same place you work at. Luckily, I work with fantastic people who took such great care of me. Gave me a whole new perspective on my patient care. I also don't remember most of the visit, turns out my body likes to hang onto the drugs. Luckily, Shaun was a fabulous husband who kept me oriented even if couldn't see straight. 

Well, again I don't remember much of that day. I came home, I think I ate something, and I slept alot. Shaun showed me the pictures of my insides, turns out I officially have Endometriosis--a pretty bad case at that. Thank goodness I am not crazy! The recovery has been an adventure. Turns out I am not the most patient patient in the world. I tried to get and do too many things the first few days. Really struggled to eat or drink on a regular basis. Come to find Dr. Arrington beat me up pretty bad inside. No wonder it hurt to use any source of abdominal muscle! Shaun has been fantastic. He watched every Harry Potter movie with me, made sure I had food whenever I felt hungry, gave me my heat pads, and even helped me waddled around the house. I don't know how I got so lucky with him. 

One week later and I am still not 100%, but I can walk and eat normally!!!! Happy dances all the way around. Now I just have the occasional nausea to fight off. My belly looks like it lost a fight--it's still pretty bruised and covered in holes. At least now I can tackle my to do list again, take the dogs on walks, and enjoy a few more free days before work starts! 

Lets hope I never have to do this again! 

You Would Think Life Would Slow Down. . . . .

I don't know why I keep thinking life will be less crazy. I know wishful thinking. So far February has proven to be just a chaotic as the last year.

I keep joking with Shaun that he was just waiting to marry a nurse before he started to fall apart; he doesn't think it is as funny. With all the moving and him being sick we haven't been as diligent at getting to the gym. He has had afew problems in the past but hasn't had any pain for years. Well after kneeling down to get a T-shirt I heard his knee pop and saw him go down. We iced it, rested it and made an appointment with the Orthopedic doc. He mostly behaved until a week later when it did it again and this time he really couldn't stand up. Luckily, Shaun was able to make it to the doctor 3 weeks early because of a cancellation. Turns out his knee was more screwed up then he even knew. He was scheduled for surgery the following week.

Keeping him down proved interesting, but the morning finally arrived. He was all excited and had the nurses smiling and giving him weird look as they started his IV. Although he wasn't thrilled at not being able to eat breakfast.  Luckily, I knew the anesthesiologist that was taking care of him so my nerves calmed down a bit. 

Before I knew it Shaun was out and in recovery. I missed talking to Dr. Byck because of my hungry belly. But they took me back to see Shaun and he was up in a chair smiling and eating jello. Apparently, he had kept asking for me. I love this man of mine. 

Well now he is up back to himself. He has the clear to start bending and using it again. But of he now holds the record for one of the worst knees Dr. Byck has seen. He has something called a Plica, which only occurs in like 0.01% of the population. His meniscus was flipped over, torn, and kinked in a way they hardly ever see. I guess Shaun likes to go big or go home. Well, I wish we could say we were done with hospitals. But I go under in shortly under a month. Bring on the craziness.  

The Update of All Updates

I know it has been a while. Life took me by surprise and threw me for a few loops. But I am back and have again decided to tackle this blog. Mostly for the sake of need to document my life. The exciting part is, I can now say our lives. Rather than go into full detail which will take me months to catch up on. Here is a brief recap of all the craziness 2014 had. 

Feb 14: Shaun proposed to me on the Helipad down in Price, Utah. Where I will point out I thought some cult had put candles on the middle of our pad. Crazy Story.

Mar 14: Started working at Utah Valley again with the Trauma Service. I now have a greater appreciation for all the behind the scenes people. Also began planning a wedding and looking for houses with Shaun.

Apr 14: Quit working at Eagle Air Med and started working again in the ER at Utah Valley. 

May 14: Had a lot of parties, felt overwhelmingly loved, and decided to build a house. Oh wait and married my best friend.  Most amazing day. I will never forget sitting in the temple with him before the sealing. A tender mercy.

June 14: Took off on our honeymoon and enjoyed a week in Vail, Colorado. Shaun was hit hard by mono and started commuting up to Ogden from Orem--yeah it sucked big time.

July 14: Worked like a mad woman and decided to stay in the townhouse rather than move out to Eagle Mountain. Shaun was still down for the most part.  Adjusting to having 2 dogs and a man in my house--lets be honest I loved it.

Aug 14: Got outside more with Shaun feeling better and was able to explore the gorgeous world we live in. The dogs loved running. We even took a trip up to the Cabin and let Enzo run until he literally couldn't run anymore. Shaun turned 28 and got a new niece as a birthday present.

Sept 14: Shaun switched jobs and started working at a car dealership--he loves cars incase you didn't know. Just worked and played mostly. Made the plan to stay and live in Orem. 

Oct 14: Put the townhouse on the market to sell and move to Ogden. Started house hunting and driving A LOT! We relived our first date--a tradition we will keep doing. Drove to Colorado to see our new baby niece and play with Mark and Heather over Halloween. 

Nov 14: Packed up the townhouse, put my notice into the ER--yeah I cried a lot over this one, and moved in with my in-laws. My father-in-law had a big operation--poor guy. We enjoyed Thanksgiving and seeing the family together. Plus lots of food. Oh and we switched out the CC for a truck, this came in super had a few months later.

Dec 14: I turned 29, started a new job as a surgical nurse with Mckay-Dee Hospital. Sold the townhouse--FINALLY. Found a new house after putting in several offers on other ones. Celebrated Christmas and being around family again.

As you can see it was a year of crazy change. I remember being stressed, confused, happy, unsure, at peace, and lots of things throughout the whole year. But looking back I wouldn't change a thing. Because every decision, change and crazy thought brought me to where I am now. 

Jan 15: So far we moved into our new house. It is an older home but has been redone.  I love it, despite all the crazy quirks it has. We love our neighbors and the ward. Though we don't love the critter that has moved in above our bedroom. Yeah working on that one. My job is going great and I finally feel like this place is Home. Shaun is back up with his group and loves showing me around. I don't get lost so much anymore!! Plus my work commute is maybe 8 minutes with traffic. Life will continue to throw us a few curve balls but I am excited for this new chapter and new adventure. Bring it on 2015!