Wednesday, November 14, 2012

DAY 13 Giving Thanks: Show & Tell

Ok, so I thought on Monday I was a kindness slacker?
Yesterday pretty much beats that.
I'll try not to go into too much detail...

I woke up at 1 in the morning with severe sharp pains in my lower abdomen. Several hours of dry heaving, internal bleeding, nausea, & emotional bouts over "the white throne" later, the Mr. took me to the emergency room. (I even woke up a scared little Zoey with my loud bathroom noises. Poor sweetie.)
At the hospital I had blood tests & an IV & pain meds & nausea meds & a CAT scan & humiliating exams.
It turns out I have colitis {sometimes also called colonitis}, an inflammatory bowel syndrome.
Good times, huh?

I'm currently taking antibiotics to try & figure out if it's actually a temporary gig, like a virus, or if it's something more serious, where I'll have to take meds every day & deal with the uncomfortable pain & spontaneous sudden need for a restroom & stuff like that for the rest of my life.
I'm praying & hoping that these 10 days of antibiotics restore my colon to its former glory.
We shall see. I'm currently extremely uncomfortable & trying to take it easy. It's very hard to take it easy though. My poor house has been neglected for the past few days, & it is very noticeable. I found out today that even a simple task such as emptying the dishwasher sent me over the edge. So, I shall really try the relaxing route.
The Mr. has been BEYOND helpful, letting me get my rest & taking over with the girls. But he is exhausted & I can't stand to not be doing my part. I'm trying to do as much as I can from my "nest" on the couch. 

Dry toast & warm applesauce seem to be the only things that satisfy my appetite. I'm afraid to eat anything that might unsettle my insides even more than they already are. And, to be honest, & however weird it sounds, I'm just flat out afraid to go to the bathroom.

Soooo, I hope you aren't uncomfortable after reading all that.

I do have a lot of understanding support in my dad & sister, who both have different forms of IBD (Inflammatory Bowel Disease): ulcerative colitis & Crohn's disease. I'm definitely getting some perspective {in small detail} of what they go through every day.

Anyway, just wanted to let you know why I hadn't been around for the past couple of days.

And since I have no kindness to show, yet again, I will express my thanks to Dr. Smith, & the Physician's Assistant whose name I can't remember (who was awesome & took care of me most of time & who wins the award for finding the sweet spot in my non-existent veins), & the nurses, & the techs, & the two guys who wheeled me through the halls of the hospital on my bed. And to the chaplain who visited me, who happens to be a friend of the Mr. & I. Even to Debbie, who registered me. I am grateful for being taken care of by the people at Great Plains Regional Medical Center. I hope I never have to see you all again, but you're awesome.



6 comments:

  1. oh nikki i am so sorry prayers for better days

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  2. Hi Nikki- I am SO sorry you are in such misery. I have ulcerated colitis myself- had it since 12- and I COMPLETELY understand how wretched you feel. You are definitely not alone! I know for myself when I've spent nights on 'the throne', Christ has been the one solid comfort for me through it all.
    One thing I've learned from years and years and many doctors is that- at least for my system- it's all about what I eat. When I changed my diet, it changed everything. I hope you figure out right at the get go what will help you.
    praying for you tonight!

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  3. Sounds like what my husband went through this summer. He spent weeks on a liquid diet and slowly went back to soft food. Eventually having a colonoscopy and fortunately for him it was just a infection. I pray that it is nothing more serious for you either. Take it easy and rest while you can!

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  4. Hello, just wanted to say that I am sorry you are going through this, and I hope that you feel better soon. I had a similar experience about a month ago, so I know how exhausted you must feel. I hope the antibiotics work for you. Antibiotics can wreck havoc on your digestive track, so eats lots of yogurt with live cultures in them to help restore the good bacteria.

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  5. I deal with IBD and ulcer flare ups sporadically through out the year. It is no fun. I really pray that yours is just a virus deal and you are all better soon. Take it easy!

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  6. so sorry to hear you're going thru this but oddly enough it is almost identical to what i've been going thru. took the antibiotics and still suffering. been 2 months for me & still testing...here's to better times for us both xo

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Thank you so much for taking the time to leave a comment. Every time you do, I do a little happy dance. For reals.